Kästle DIY-Gravel (On The Budget)

Hello other sweetie.
Specs and more pics here.

Specialized Rockhopper 1992
I'll quite possibly change the cockpit, add a new pedal and maybe a new seatpost. And I'll remove the two big ass ugly spoke reflectors. It will serve as a daily commuter/touring bike.
I've already changed the grips (factory original, they were melting in my hands) and the saddle (factory original without a single sratch or any sign of wear, but uncomfy).

The Rockhopper got some slick 1.4" wide tyres, new inner tubes, a Ritchey Comp aluminum handlebar and a proper set of pedals. The ugly reflectors got detached.

What's more to come is to remove the yellow sticker from the top tube and to get some new brake pads, because these are still the original and they don't do the job so well. I'll might add some bar ends, but I'm not sure about those yet.

It's comfy, it's fast and it looks good imo.
Pics soon.

Now on the other hand, I'm buying a Specialized Hardrock tomorrow. Probably almost as good condition as the Rockhopper, with a full Suntour XCM groupset afaik. I'm buying it from same seller for ~50 EUR.
That project will be way more funky, pics tomorrow.

Alright, so I've got the Hardrock. 1992, 18", almost full XCM, some parts are not original. This boy was used way more than the Rockhopper. The fork has a slight bend somewhere but the bike goes straight when riding without hands so... I'll maybe fix it somehow later. Don't yet know how. I love the stem, it has a big rise, comfy as hell. The paintjob is absolutely bloody amazing, purple base with deep blue "shining" (can't find a proper word), when you look at it from a certain direction.

The plan is yet unknown. There are two main possibilities, one is that I leave it as it is (I've already changed the seat, brake pads and some minor stuff), and use it as a backup bike - or my girlfriend can use it when she's at my place.
The other one is that I convert it to a singlespeed. Only the second chainring on the front (36 or 38), and a 18T freewheel on the back. Or the big chainring remains on the front. Maybe drop bars with road brake levers? I don't even know.

TLDR, this one is more of a fun/backup machine.

Proper pics next week.

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So the Hardrock had a bend in the fork, but thankfully the seller bought it back and changed it for me to this:

More pics here.

Pretty much a bargain for ~60 EUR I guess.
I have found literally zero info about this bike around the interwebz, so it should be quite rare.
Probably 1992. Pretty much full Deore XT. The hubs, the whole shifting, brakes, BB, headset, crankset and even the brake pads are XT.

The frame is quite light, it should be at least double butted, but there's no tubing sticker or marking at all. Since it's built with a high end groupset I think it's made of a high end tubeset as well. Also, the rear fork is wishbone-styled.
The fork is 1 1/8" threaded. I don't know if the stem is original or not, it's currently a Tioga Avenger (130 mm). The seatpost and it's quick release are both Liyang.
Alesa rims, also some high end stuff, probably laced with DT spokes. The tyres are different, I don't know if any of these were original or not, the front is a Ritchey gumwall, the rear is a Continental Double Fighter Basic (afaik the Conti is way newer), but I'll change them to 1.4-1.5" slick ones.

Now some madman cut the right side shifter console from the STI and installed a 9 speed 2005 Deore LX shifter. Why? I don't know.
Thankfully I've found an original one at a local guy, and got it for really really cheap (heroes live amongst us).
That yet needs to be installed. I'm also changing the handlebar to a slightly backwards bent one. I'll also change the seatpost to an inline one asap, because comfort > aesthetics, the whole bike is a tad too long for me atm.

The left shift lever will most likely be replaced, as it's probably broken inside (it gets stuck at a certain point). Thankfully the guy I've bought the right STI from has a spare one.

I'm not planning on repaining it, the rattier the better, so it hopefully won't get stolen.

PS: saddle angle will obviously be fixed.

So some updates.
Rockhopper:
Got an ITM stem for pennies, really good condition, gonna switch asap, but need to install a cantilever cable hanger to the headset first as this stem doesn't have a hole for it.

Liyang:
Switched the handlebar to a more comfy one. Installed the right side XT STI.
Got an original XT Shark Fin (pretty ratty) for free from the guy I bought the STI from.

The left STI's rubber stuff (no idea what it is called) is actually a right side one, so I got a left one. For free.

Also gonna change the seatpost to an inline one, already have it, but need a shim first. The seatpost I got is 27.2.

Rockhoppa'

Stem to be replaced, will add a rear rack and mudguards then pretty much finished.

Liyang looked like this before I sold it.

Rockhopper in commuter mode. It rides pretty smooth, shifting is really on point, but probably gonna go back to a 28" wheel bike...

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand sold. 26" commuting just didn't fit for me that much...
Let's try another one, eh? But this time a different kind of bike.

So I've bought a Kästle trekking. Tange CroMo frame, full Altus C50 (3x6 spd), so it's much lower end, but it works surprisingly well. The shifting is fast and accurate, and the whole bike is just great. It's comfy and functional. Mudguards, rack, etc. came installed with it.
Pic once the weather gets better, atm it's raining like hell and it's just too dark to take a proper picture.

Now the plan is a drop bar tourer/commuter, but that'll probably only happen next year. I've already got the drop bars and brake levers, all I need is a stem, some shift levers and new, wider tyres. Budget is tight right now though...

Pics of the current machine. More here.

It handles great, and shifts surprisingly good for a low-end groupset. Didn't notice much difference between the Altus C50 and a same period Deore LX.
Too bad I hate the gripshift. I'll probably change that. Still not sure about drop bars...
Fenders will be set up properly soon. And I'll add some fatter tyres as well, maybe 700x42, time will tell.
Pedals will be replaced too, I can't stand plastic ones.

As weather slowly (but hopefully surely) gets warmer it's time to do something with the bike. My original idea was to sell this and buy a low-mid end early 90's roadie but nah, let's try something different.

The plan
1x6 (probably gonna upgrade to a proper 7s freewheel and shifter later)
fatty ass slick tyres
probably a different cockpit
non-hideous pedals
make it look like less of an ugly clusterf*ck

Now this year my tight budget is even more tight when it comes to cycling but I really wanna make this happen.

How?
I get an old LX/DX/XT crankset for cheapo
front derailleur goes off
some proper shifter goes on to operate with rear derailleur
fenders go off
700x42 - 45 - 47 (depending on price/value and space) tyres go on
not sure what to do with the rack yet but it probably stays

I'm also considering non-QR hub axles and seatpost clamp, because of blatant thieves.
Oh and it's obviously not a weight-weenie build hehe.

The budget is around 50 GBP. Wish me luck.

And done for now. I'm on the hunt for some proper shifters, as this Tourney is horribly ugly, and it doesn't shift as well as the original gripshifts. Got an LX crankset for a fair price in a fair condition. Also changed the pedals.

These 700x47C tyres are amazing, I can barely feel the bumps on the road that shook the hell out of me before on 23/25C.

Will take some better photos if I'll have some free time on my hands.

I like it! Ugly, but likeable. You've changed the thread title lots of times which is confusing, why not just name it "vp's bikes" or something and stick to it?

I like the ugliness because it's less appealing to the thieves haha. Yeah I'll probably stick to this one for a good while as this year is unfortunately not about bike projects.

A miracle happened and I've found an SL-CT50 shifter for 5 quids worth of HUF including shipping. Perfectly working, and isn't that worn at all - this thing is 23 years old. Installed it today, shifts way better than the Tourney. Happy time!

Next step is to get a handlebar grip that fits nicely and feels comfy.

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Playing around in Photoshop, trying to sketch some concepts.

So I really miss the feel of drop bars, and the reach of these setback citybike handlebars is damn short, I've realized that it's not that comfy after all.
The problem would be the shifting. The only place I could put the shifter is on the stem and I'm not sure if I'd like that. I have everything at home though, handlebar, tape, even some ergo road brake levers. I'd probably add some CX in-line brake levers as well.
What I'll need to get is a proper looking rear derailleur. Not like there's a problem with this one but it doesn't quite looks nice. I hope I can snatch an older LX/DX/XT for cheapos.

I've already taken down the rear rack as I don't currently need it, and I've gently destroyed the horrible looking spoke protector from the rear hub.
I'll also need some smaller tyres, like 42C, because these ones have some issues with the clearance.

-

Got the new handlebar, installed it, everything fits nicely, rides perfect! Love it so far.

Mudguards and maybe a rack or two? Great that you're happy with it.

Mudguards probably yes in the future, and I don't need the rack it seems. I had one but took it down, didn't really use it. Thanks!

Minor changes.
Altus C50 (RD-CT50) -> Deore LX (RD-M567)

The next stop is replacing the brakes, as they are pretty weak. Will get a pair of '92-ish XT cantilevers probably. I'd need some 170 mm long cranks too, as 175 is (are? - correct me please, my grammar is wank) not meant for me...

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New stem day. Already installed it, will try to shoot some proper pics asap.
Also, it turned out that the handlebar was bent in a pretty weird way, so I've swapped it with a 3ttt I had laying aroung.
Hopefully no more unpleasant surprises...

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chill thread. just found it. following :)

Cheers!

Now the wind here is literally merciless, it's always blowing, 24/7, nonstop from the start of spring until the end of summer - and I'm not even Dutch, I heard it's worse there.
So my bike obviously fell over while I was taking pictures, so there's only one that I'd call acceptable, however it's not half decent...

A pair of 2x7 RSX STI's are on the way. Time to get rid of the hideous-looking shifter...

And done. The shifting is absolutely perfect, crisp, and fast. I didn't think it would be this good, I'm really really happy with it.
And yes, it's still ugly, but it's a bit less of a clusterfuck.
Next stop: 2x7

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