Current Projects chat and miscellany

Swapped the bars on my wife's pub bike / commuter to these Tokyo Bike ones. She didn't like the Velo Orange Montmarte bars. Also changed the bar end shifter for a 7 speed Shimano Micro Shift shifter. And swapped the saddle to a Turbo because she hated the Brooks.

Still a great looking bike.
Can't remember which Brooks your wife had, my wife has been very happy with her Countess.

It was a Brooks B-17 Team Pro.

Most women seem to find that they need wider when it comes to Brooks saddles.

Yeah, it's just what I had lying around. She likes her Turbo and Concor more.

Sorry to besmirch what's been a nice page so far, but here's the MTB. Not quite rideable as the clamp bolt for the stem is rounded off so I can't tighten it, and the seatpost is far too short for me. Which probably means the frame is a couple of sizes too small.

I'm thinking of getting new forks for it (rigid carbon), would it be better to get a disc fork and a disc brake for the front and keep the v-brake at the back?

If so, would it be possible/worth finding an integrated 7-speed and disc lever, or get separates?

![](https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2914/14473144124_861f373107_h.jpg[/url]

Fixed, hopefully:

[img]https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2914/14473144124_37c0ce0f7f_z.jpg)

These are the forks I was considering getting:
http://www.carboncycles.cc/?s=0&t=2&c=43&p=959

Is it worth taking the opportunity to get a disc brake for the front, or should I stick with the V-brakes I have? I hate setting up V-brakes, but then I'm not that keen on discs either.

If it's too small for you it is worth considering to pass it on. With that said, I really liked disc front on my daily fixed..

I'm not sure it is too small. I'd need about 3 inches more seatpost to ride with proper leg extension, but lots of mountain bikes show a lot of seatpost so I'm not sure how wrong that is. Advice welcome.

Won't you be right over the back wheel then? How tall are you, and what are the frame's measurements? How is the top tube for length? If the stem or seat post need to be too long, frame is too short. No point messing around with a new fork and disc etc if it's not going to fit you.

I think lots of seatpost showing isn't the problem, but consider the geo your frame has, slack seat post angle and a long seatpost will give you a cosiderable setback position. Maybe get a seatpost long enough and ride as is (to check if it suits your needs) before you start splashing money?
This will need a long rigid forks to correct for the suspension travel, maybe put all the dimensions in the bikecad to check the geo alternation with the forks you'd like to put on it?

Have hubs and rims.
Ambrosio Zenith track rear 36h, Ambrosio Zenith road front 36h.
Exal XR2 36h.

would appreciate thoughts on how to build up.
to be used as quick fixed town bike, cages and straps.
think i want to keep period, early 80s apparently.

moar: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ic284wn9la1giz1/AABzM-xaK_-_JMsCRyGREoTxa
(really feeling the rear bridge)
(thanks to jim3971 for the photography)

edit:
this as inspiration: http://www.lfgss.com/post4280758-438.html
edit:
and this: http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5505/11013378644_14e6c6b051_c.jpg

Shorter stem, layback post, new bartape and a silly wheel :-)

And push the quick release back in the levers.

Won't you be right over the back wheel then? How tall are you, and what are the frame's measurements? How is the top tube for length? If the stem or seat post need to be too long, frame is too short. No point messing around with a new fork and disc etc if it's not going to fit you.

I'm 6'2 (188cm) and the top tube is 56cm, so it's not too short. It's currently got quite a long stem on it, and I've bought a 140mm replacement as the stem is fucked anyway.

I will try it with an inline post and the new stem and see how it goes, but I had thought about how the new forks would affect the geo as well.

Ideally I'd be able to find a bigger frame which was also Donohue made.

^^ I only just noticed that. My bike got blown over several times before getting that shot, must've happened then.

Absolutely love that Rourke.

I'm 6'2 (188cm) and the top tube is 56cm, so it's not too short. It's currently got quite a long stem on it, and I've bought a 140mm replacement as the stem is fucked anyway.

I will try it with an inline post and the new stem and see how it goes, but I had thought about how the new forks would affect the geo as well.

Ideally I'd be able to find a bigger frame which was also Donohue made.

56 toptube on a mtb for someone at our height surely must be considered very small. Dont ride mtbs but when i was looking id be searching for something with a 61cm toptube or so. But if you are comfortable and it works..

Tommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

if its too small dibs.

Joss, if you're serious I might well have to sell it. After being in the forest on Saturday I definitely want to get an MTB but I don't want to try and force myself onto one that doesn't fit

1999 Specialized Stumpjumper Pro frame - 19" size (Large/XL) - Fits me at 6ft4 and would fit you well too. Not sure I want to sell yet though. Nicely kitted out at the moment:

That's the same size as mine, how much seatpost did you have with that?

As your what? The Donohue? It's bigger I think. I used the ride a 19" Hardrock so guess the geo is similar. Haven't ridden or built this one up. Got the parts second hand and it's been as you see it in the photos for a while, whilst concentrating on road bikes.

Tommmm donohue should fit fine, lots of post is de rigeur on le mtb.

How long is the top tube?

Apparently it's 56cm, but that's the seller's measurements and I didn't have time to double check it while I was up north. The reach felt fine but obviously without the seatpost being at the right height, and with long forks which I may replace that might not be completely accurate. Rather than getting carbon forks I might just get the cro-moly One-One forks to try it out, the fact that they weigh 1.2kgs doesn't really matter as this bike will never be a weight weeny.

Do you have a pic of your forks TM?

Tommmmm if the sus forks are a non starter I've got some basic rigids you can have for free. You'll have to check the required axle to crown length tho as they're not suitable to replace modern long travel forks.