TomvanHalen's MTB allsorts - drop bars are dead

Yeah same. I've got a similar set-up as yours (old MTB) and it was just too frikking long and low with drops. I actually also think I don't like bikes with drops at all.

Could this be the first time a Thorn steerer tube is cut down?!

I dunno, I'd concerned about breaking tradition..

Also, let the record state I am unconvinced by the brown Brooks. It was cheap and I wanted to try a reasonably broken-in Team Pro

dat 80mm spacer. Zehr trektastic

dat 80mm spacer

Otherwise know as 'The Scoble'

Looks great, im all for swept bars when touring. Long days in the saddle and no back problems.

Layback post on and some new jockey wheels, cables and tape added. All felt quite natural on a pootle round the block. Starting to feel quietly optimistic.

That's it for now until I can apply a hacksaw to the steerer and sort out the 'guards. Just need to get out and ride it, lest I end up spending a week in the Scottish wilderness on an unproven bicycle.

I'm a complete sweep convert.

As an aside, it's also turned this into a proper wheelie machine

No shame in putting some spacers under that stem if you plan to do some longer tours on this. Re the brooks it'll take a while before it fits to your butt

Yah, gonna play around with the height a bit. Will probably leave around 20-30mm of excess above that and lop the rest so I can actually put it all together without using every spacer in the house.

How's yours breaking in? This one at least is pre-loved, I'd read horror stories about the Team Pros but it seems better than the Cambium so far. Following your adventures enviously (especially the döner kebab pic).

Nice to hear you're following! How far has it broken in already? From the pictures it doesn't look so much, which is good otherwise you'd have to deal with a saddle shaped to someone else's sit bones. The nds part of the saddle developed a large dimple which coincided with the pains from my lower left back disappearing!

Now that you're not on drops is there any reason not to switch to V-brakes? Much less faff. But less style points.

Yeah, I couldn't see any misshapen bits or divots, it's just got a bit more give than the new one I felt up in a shop.

Self-fitting! Good to hear.

Yeah, I was pretty surprised - having heard the horror stories of 1000k break-in periods and all, but my flyer started feeling better rather quickly!

I do want to, but I don't think they'll clear the mudguards. Have loads in my parts bin, so will be giving it a go soon.

FYI, I run regular deore V's with 65mm bluemels mudguards and it is just fine.

That's good to know. What size tyres? I definitely had rub issues with 60mm GBs on my Kuwahara, but that was with a reasonable amount of clearance over 2 1/8" semi slick tyres. Could go closer on this.

Tires are 26x2.15 Schwalbe Big Bens.
I use a problem solvers adaptor for the front mudguard, but the rear is just fine.
It's on a late 90's Kona Lava Dome.

Had a bit of an accident with eBay on my coffee brake and I now have some more grey-anodised parts on the way.

oh no

old school xtr?

you betcha

cool glasses emoji

kinda sad about selling my set

Went into Dr @BareNecessities clinic yesterday for surgery

grey gold

To my great shame, the only spacers I had enough of to do the whole steerer were carbon

Next stop, dry feet

Love it !!