A while back I did this project, really just as something to do with a bike that wasn't getting used, an interesting idea that may or may not have turned out OK. As it happens it turned out great!
Take one 1997 Trek 830 Mountain Track rigid XC chromoly steel mountain bike...
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Then scavenge, scrounge and acquire parts as cheaply as possible in order to:
- convert from 3x7 to 1x10 gears
- convert from flat bars to drop bars
- convert from cantilever to disc brakes
- convert from 26" to 700c wheels
- convert from threaded to threadless fork
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A few details:
- Shimano Tiagra 4600 levers/shifters (one shifter is obviously redundant)
- Shimano 11-42T 10-speed cassette
- Shimano Deore XT 9-speed derailleur on a drop-link to clear the largest cogs
- TRP Spyre cable disc calipers
- Unknown steel fork - donated by a friend from his junk stash
- A2Z Universal Disc Mount adaptor for rear caliper
- Maddux RD 2.0 700c disc wheels
- Rock'n'Road 43mm tyres
- Sunrace square taper cranks with 36T narrow-wide chainring and frame-mounted chain-guide
- FSA Orbit II 1 1/8" threadless headset
- 12° flared drop bars on a 100mm 6° stem
- Charge Spoon saddle
- Original bottom bracket
- Original aluminium seat post.
I really enjoyed this project - the first such project I have undertaken. It took me around a year between first deciding to do it and starting the build - in that time I was doing research into parts, compatibility etc and also slowly amassing the parts needed through donations, eBay and other online purchases to keep cost as low as possible. I was concerned that it might not turn out well - that maybe the geometry would be all wrong, that the parts wouldn't work together, or that it would not be nice to ride. It turns out to be one of my favourite bikes (I have quite a few, including carbon fibre full-sus and hardtail MTBs, a carbon fibre road bike and a titanium hardtail MTB).
I've ridden it over 1,500 miles now including all kinds of terrain, from smooth road and hard-pack gravel to deep mud and quite technical singletrack - it takes it all on. It also gets a lot of love when out and about, people often taking time to look it over and ask about it.