Iron Horse conversion

[Geoff]

Here is my donor bike, an Iron Horse Sinister MTB. At first I thought it was an ideal donor...before I had any idea what was needed.
I've had to order a new wheel for the front, as the donor's disc brake rim is not compatible with V-brakes. The Rock Shox has mounting holes for the V-brake up front but I'm keeping the disc in the rear because there's no way to easily mount a new brake back there. I know this is frowned upon but it's the only choice I see unless I have a brake mount welded on or an adapter exists.
I added a half inch rubber shim between the forward bracket and front fork to get over the disc brake mounts. Hopefully the mounts won't interfere with the chain as I've read about in some posts, otherwise I'll have to find a way to cut them off.
Any suggestions for a new front derailleur, the donor's clamp size is too small? I'm hoping to use the donor's 3 speed chain ring and 9 speed cassette along with the Shimano Deore XT rear derailleur.
I also need to find a compatible seat post. My donor's seat post is 1 1/8" (28.57 mm). I'm at a loss for this one after looking online.
Does anyone have handle bar recommendations if I want to keep my Shimano thumb shifters? I have no attachment to these shifters other than not spending more money than I have to at this point.
I'm sure I'll have more questions and thank you in advance for any help, comments, criticism or otherwise.


Geoff

 

[defjack]

I used Wald 8095 touring bars on my Silvio and Trek conversion works great and cheap. Jack

 

[Geoff]

Thanks Jack, I've ordered a set of the Wald bars.
I had to order the seat post from the LBS. The owner of the LBS took 2 seats and seat posts (that I'd bought from him) back as trade and is going to give me free labor towards brake and shifter cable installation as well as adjusting them.
I should pick up the new front wheel tomorrow and see if I need to cut off the disc brake mounts once I get the chain on, assuming I can move the chain up and down the cassette before I have a chance to get the shifter cables on.

Geoff

 

[Geoff]

I'm getting closer to having a completed bike. At this point I'm waiting for a seat post, seat post shim, and I'll need to have the LBS redo some of the cables since they didn't leave enough slack for the bars to be raised all the way up.

I needed a new chain as the old one was a bit too short. Front brake needs adjusting as there isn't a lot of stopping power. Haven't had a chance to try the rear disc brake since I had to disconnect the cable to raise the handle bars. I tried the seat in what I thought would be the lowest point on the frame and ended up having to move it forward to get my knees to clear the bars.

I improvised a wooden seat post in the mean time. I told myself it was so I could fit the seat...but it was really so I could go for a ride around the block.

On my first ride outside of my little cul-de-sac a convertible Jaguar pinned me to the curb as I'm riding (he must have been lost to be in my neighborhood). He passed without us trading any paint but I was more than a little nervous to say the least. The bike sits higher than I expected it would, my feet barely touch the ground when I stop. I'm hoping my learning curve is relativity short because I definitely have some learning to do.

Geoff

 

[Doug Burton]

Hi Geoff,

A fine looking machine there!

I've become an expert in cable-running because of similar experiences...

Is the fork travel adjustable? It looks like you could take an inch out of the front and rear and still have plenty of travel for all but the worst bumps and curbs.

As you get more seat time, the seat height will be less of a concern. Dunno if a Zounds Air Blast horn would help with the Jaguars!

Alternately, that component set would rock on a V2K frameset...!

Let us know what you need. Excellent Bike.

Best,

Doug

 

[John Tolhurst]

Hello Geoff,
I like to see you hacksaw 2" off the rear part of the seat support bracket - saddle section - and move the seat back 2" plus. ANything you can do to drop the seat height would be nice.

Very good looking frame eh? It looks like it will ride really nice on any surface.

John

 

[defjack]

Try to get your seat as low as possible like John said. I have Forte 1 1/8 city slicks on my Trek and they look a lot lower than your mt bike tires. Also rake the seat back at least 45 degrees, Jack