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    I’ve finally did it. Now I’m sad.

    I've wanted to build dropbar vintage gravel since 2020 and finally did it.

    Welcome 1991 Scott converted to dropbar, with 1×9 groupset and cantilever breaks.

    It looks funny and funky thanks to bright colors and textile bartape (it feels very tactile and nice).

    I guess reach is a bit long, but everything else feels nice.

    And here is why I'm sad: it feels normal. I've wanted it to ride different, and somewhat different to my modern gravelbike, but it is exactly the same. I can't feel difference in maneuverability or steering feel or tire nuances.

    It is 1,1/8 headset so theoretically I can upgrade it to threadless, change to shorter stem and wider handlebars, in hope to get the feel I want, but that will be another 300$ (as much as I've already spent on the bike)

    I don't know how to feel about it.

    On one hand I've finally achieved what I've wanted to do for a long time, and result looks and rides very nice. On the other hand I've wanted something a bit different, but it turned out being shockingly normal. Maybe it is still possible to rebuild it to be more nimble and playful but I can't justify spending another 300$ on this bike right now

    by SebWatson

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    27 Comments

    2. FnMag on

      Maybe going to a much shorter stem would liven the steering up? It looks fun at least!

      I can’t decide what to do with my Raleigh technium peak, it’s currently got wald 898s on it, but have also thought about drop barring it, but want to keep the 3×7.

    3. chock-a-block on

      Bikes just aren’t that different despite what the bike selling industry would have you believe. 

      Dare mention a pre-2k mountain bike makes an excellent gravel bike outside of maybe xbiking and get heavily modded down.

      Compared to a modern bike, the bottom bracket is much higher. You might have enough hours/skills on bikes so it doesn’t feel different. Your modern bike is probably lighter. 

    4. konishiwoi on

      Swapping out the stem could be enough, but I like the idea of swapping the fork, you might even be able to get one with the mount for lowrider racks. Also doesn’t the current fork look bent back anyway ? Or is it just optical

    6. audiomagnate on

      Shorten your stem – I use a 65mm – get a zero offset seatpost and slide your seat all the way forward. This will shorten the reach significantly. Don’t be sad, just finish the job.

    7. tiregroove on

      FYI: Your fork has been crashed. To the point it’s bent back to almost being straight.

      Want to confirm? Look straight down from the stem. But i can see it from here.

    8. Upbeat-Desk-4445 on

      I mean how different were you realistically expecting to experience riding with this vintage bike? Looks wise it’s appealing to me, but I’m a sucker for neo retro stuff.

      But yeah what sort of feel were you looking for? I dunno if you’re being serious but $300 for a new headset is goofy movie

    11. GrandFalconer159 on

      I don’t have any ideas for how to change your ride but I strongly suggest you change out your front brake cable hanger to one with more drop to it.

      I had to do the same thing on my bike as the stem was too close to the hanger.

    12. Ol_Man_J on

      I’ve built drop bar vintage mtb before and I realized I expected something more. I hoped it would fit better than it did, and hoped it would ride better as well. The reach was just too long, and to compensate just took so many compromises that made it a clunky bike

    13. ULTRASOLINGER69 on

      yesterday i picked up a scott boulder sport series for free not sure what iam going to do with it

    14. Far-Resource3365 on

      Since reach is a bit long, shortening the stem might change steering characteristics 🙂

    15. Bikes_Palms-Allday on

      This is fine. Remove the fork and find a similar bike… remove new fork, headset etc and sell the rest for parts… upgrading this doesn’t have to cost $300, it can more or less be free.

    16. Yavimaya_younger on

      Thats a cool ass bike.
      Just sell your gravel bike if it’s the same anyways and stuff half that money into this thing. Then you have an axe bike and money to blow

    17. themiddaysun on

      You do not need to spend a ton on a fork. I have this one and it is actually pretty nice. Lighter than I expected also. With this indestructible headset, you can get out rather decently cheap.
      [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002I7IC62?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002I7IC62?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1)

      [https://www.amazon.com/FSA-Pig-1-1-Threadless-Headset/dp/B002ATPDAQ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2R13JFVCXIGAY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.K2qLA2ONSa3vXl9wwzXLaXy-7ONasfd_fJO9d_oqCfbMTaQF-o03kDr8MnZ2m4Jbbg80Cy7EdHNghmgS1C9GgLjZHS_kneX_F5S6BBFhSJ0xjHRxSl4K-UrBhzHSDHaA4Q0GJ5gRNji-I0P7WsUTzq1hM0iJl8H9YApNhzMOD7Q._mrzUUwuGQ9nh38VOFIIdEz2YlskxsdR9unM1g4F6k4&dib_tag=se&keywords=fsa%2Bthe%2Bpig&qid=1769962994&sprefix=fsa%2Bthe%2Bpig%2Caps%2C124&sr=8-1&th=1](https://www.amazon.com/FSA-Pig-1-1-Threadless-Headset/dp/B002ATPDAQ/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2R13JFVCXIGAY&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.K2qLA2ONSa3vXl9wwzXLaXy-7ONasfd_fJO9d_oqCfbMTaQF-o03kDr8MnZ2m4Jbbg80Cy7EdHNghmgS1C9GgLjZHS_kneX_F5S6BBFhSJ0xjHRxSl4K-UrBhzHSDHaA4Q0GJ5gRNji-I0P7WsUTzq1hM0iJl8H9YApNhzMOD7Q._mrzUUwuGQ9nh38VOFIIdEz2YlskxsdR9unM1g4F6k4&dib_tag=se&keywords=fsa%2Bthe%2Bpig&qid=1769962994&sprefix=fsa%2Bthe%2Bpig%2Caps%2C124&sr=8-1&th=1)

    18. bigboybanhmi on

      Agree with others on the shorter stem. Just keep riding it. Sometimes it takes time to really feel and appreciate a bike’s nuances. Or at least over time you’ll forget about the expectations you had for this bike and enjoy it for what it is. N+1 doesn’t have to mean they all do something different :p sometimes just a difference in looks is enough, as long as the variety brings you joy.

      And honestly I think the upgrade to threadless is 100% worth it to dial in the fit. You can do it for way cheaper than $300 buying stuff used. At the rate I swap stems I can’t bear a quill-neck no matter how cool they look.

    20. rockies_alpine on

      This is exactly why I won’t do this, and bought a modern gravel bike instead. Modern gravel bikes are converging into late 1990’s MTB in terms of geometry feel.

      Conversions are for the vibes and vintage cool, but at the end of the day you’re stuck to sinking money into old technology, and giving up a lot of advances that make 2025 gravel better than 1990 MTB.

      I want excellent, modern width, supple 700c gravel tires and hydraulic brakes that work really well, lots of mounts, thru-axles and wide disc rims.

    27. BenjyIn406 on

      Stem is the very last thing I buy. I have a bunch of cheap ones lying around, different lengths and rise. Once I’m pretty confident I’ve got it figured- I cut the steerer and mount the stem that fits. This may give you what you want.

      I do agree with you on ride difference. The industry will tell you all day long how this older equipment is so dated that you can’t possibly have fun on it, or do what the shiny new ones can do. They are wrong. We built things out of better materials with more pride not that long ago. Now go drop somebody who’s got 5k worth of bike under them.

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