I don't really want another old school hardtail mountain bike but is it possible to convert it to a decent gravel bike maybe getting rid of the flat bars
I've lots of 8/9 speed groupset bits mostly xt, some decent tyres but will it still feel like a stiff hardtail just wearing a dress
Corner bars would be an easy solution
Privateers are generally quite small so sizing up is usually best but probably not an option if you already have it.
I used this 29er for a couple of years
Knock off corner bars for a direct "drop bar MTB" conversion, maybe with a stem swap to dial in position, for easy fitting.
Or if it's in bits, maybe pick up some Sensah sti's from Ali express and go full drop bar? Will very likely need a shorter stem for that.
It all depends what you have rattling around on your spares box, and what time and resources you want to commit.
Or lost it on retro-bike and watch the stampede to your front door? Depending on whether it's a pre- or post-Trek vintage....
Or stick some riser bars on it and single speed it for the winter...
KeithB ??? Surely too much coincidence.
I'd sell it as is, and let someone else enjoy it as a hardtail. I struggle to see it as a great gravel bike.
Point of note. They ain't stiff, I've owned pre and post trek flavours .. if you think that's stuff get yourself an old Klein
This looks like a nice gravel bike build.
https://www.biketinker.com/2016/bike-makeovers/bontrager-enduro-allroad-makeover/
Keith bontrager is busy electrifying one of his old frames.
https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/repurposed-privateer.493536/
KeithB ??? Surely too much coincidence
Er yes. Definitely coincidence I'm afraid!
Sorry to disappoint!
I've lots of 8/9 speed groupset bits mostly xt
Which will work with 9 speed road levers (Sora, for example), eliminating some of the faff. You'd still need road pull calipers, though. I've been down this road myself. My 26" monstercross is possibly my favourite bike.
My Choice would be to make it a bit of a Utility bike with these:
BLB Flat Rat Handlebar Rack - Matt Black. Brick Lane Bikes: The Official Website
Setup 1x9 and use it for Shopping/Pub
My Choice would be to make it a bit of a Utility bike with these:
Oh bollocks, now I'm going to have to buy all the bits to make a bike built around that! 😂
Oh bollocks, now I'm going to have to buy all the bits to make a bike built around that!
Or buy a Fork mounted Pizza Rack... Obviously it'll never be as cool as one built into the bars 😉
Or buy a Fork mounted Pizza Rack.
But I've already got a bike with one of those, and a Geoff bar for good measure 😂
It's a good example of a repurposed bike, It was a rigid Thorn Catalyst I used for years to commute off road on all year round. Now it's been adapted a bit as an all round sort of utility bike. I've had rear disk mounts added as well as underside cage mounts and top tube bag mounts and had all the cable routing changed from through guides to clip ones. Run it with 2" hurricane tyres and guards and it's really useful and nice bike to ride
