Month: August 2023

This past year, I have become hooked on restoring 80’s and 90’s steel mountain bikes. What make these machines so desirable? Why steel? How expensive is it to do and how many hours will it take? All that and more lies ahead.

In January and February, I immersed myself in You Tube, searching for as many mtb restoration and frame painting videos as I could find. I also scoured the internet for build ideas. It seems that many people love the simplicity of the old, mechanical 7, 8 and 9 speed drivetrains as well as a gorgeous steel frame with those iconic 80’s and 90’s paint schemes.

My first project was a bike for my nephew. I purchased a 1991 Specialized Rockhopper for $90. After a complete tear down, I sanded the entire frame to bare steel. I primed, painted and clear coated the frame, using a mix of Krylon and Rust-Oleum paints. I built it up with a 3×7 Shimano STX drivetrain and the original bars, Seatpost and stem.

Next, I restored a 1994 Trek 830 Mt. Track for my sister. I did not need to paint this bike as the factory paint was in pristine condition. Just a complete overhaul and cleaning brought this beautiful old school mountain bike back to life.

What came next, was the project that I had wanted to do for a long time. I wanted to transform an old steel mountain bike into a gravel bike with a modern drivetrain with drop bars. About a year ago, I came across a 1092 Specialized Stumpjumper frame that was in horrible condition with a lot of surface rust. I began collecting parts, some new, some from my parts bin and set a plan in motion.

I ordered primer, paint and clear coat from Spray.Bike. I stripped the frame, using sandpaper, a palm sander and a Dremel in the hard to reach places. After a good cleaning, I sprayed the 1st coat of primer, wet sanded the frame and sprayed a 2nd coat. The next day, I laid the 1st coat of orange paint. Again, I wet sanded the entire frame lightly before applying the 2nd coat. As soon as it was dry, I splattered a battersea blue with a paint brush across the entire frame. This gave it that 90’s look I was craving. I let this dry for 48 hours before a thorough cleaning and 3 coats of high gloss clear to protect the paint.

The build process was certainly the most enjoyable part of this project. Although it was a ‘92 steel frame, the head tube was 1 1/8, making way for a Rockshox 30, 100mm suspension fork. I added a Whiskey 80mm stem and a set of Salsa Woodchipper handlebars from my parts bin and purchased a Kalloy Seatpost. This bike got a Microshift Advent 9 speed rear derailleur and shifter along with a Microshift 9 speed 11-42 cassette. The crankset is a Shimano Zee with a 36t chainring. Brakes are a mix of Tektro canteliever on the rear and a V-brake on the front. Wheels are Alex rims and Shimano Deore hubs with Panaracer Gravel King 26×2.2 tan wall tires. I topped it off with an SDG tan saddle and tan, cloth bar tape.

I am very satisfied with how it came out and I can’t wait for the next project. I currently searching for that frame that will be the base for my next project.

If you read everything on the internet and listen to what the bicycle industry tells you, you’d be rolling around on the largest tires that you could get your hands on. Don’t get me wrong, in some applications, larger tires are just what the doctor ordered.

Let’s talk about gravel tires. All the rage is about wider tires and lower air pressure. Wider gravel tires range from 40mm to 50mm and wider. The industry will have you believe that wider tires and lower air pressure will not slow you down. That is absolutely not true. Wider tires require less air pressure, they are more comfortable than narrow, high pressure tires. Therefore, you’ll have more energy at the end of a long ride. Narrow gravel tires may range from 32mm to 40mm. They are faster and corner better on dry loose surfaces. However, narrower tires will beat you up a bit. There is no give, they are hard and are designed to decrease rolling resistance.

Let’s talk road tires. Not too long ago, your average road tire was anywhere from 700C X 18mm to 23mm. Then a few years ago, most brands pushed 25mm tires. Honestly, there was not much difference between 23mm and 25mm. But now, 28mm and 32mm. A lot of road frames will not accommodate anything wider than a 28mm tire. The vibe on the internet is that wider road tires are better and do not increase rolling resistance. Again, not true.

Listen folks, when you lower air pressure, your tire becomes a little softer. This provides better grip and as I said your ride ends up being more comfortable as the tire is more supple. I personally have tried all sizes of road and gravel tires over many years of riding. At this time, I ride 28mm and 32mm road tires and I switch off between 35mm, 40mm and 50mm gravel tires, depending on the surface and time of year. I don’t want to even get into wheel size. That is another issue that would require way more space than this blog will allow.

There are many great brands of tires out there and unlimited tread patterns as well as tire sizes. I personally prefer Bontrager tires, but Maxxxis, Continental, Teravail, Kenda, WTB and Donnelly to name a few, are great choices as well.

What’s playing (what am I listening to while writing or what’s dancing around in my head while riding) today – Billly Joel – The Downeaster Alexa

Just as summer had kicked off, My wife, Liz and I took a much anticipated trip to Spain’s Basque region. This was a Trek Travel trip that toured the La Rioja wine country while climbing numerous peaks in the Cantabrian mountain range. La Rioja consists of 524 bodegas (wine cellars). It’s only one of the many grape regions in Spain.

We flew into Bilbao, via Madrid on the morning of July 1st. We did not have to meet our group until the next day. As luck would have it, We were able to catch the Grand Depart of the Tour de France (stage 1), as it kicked off in Bilbao this year and made its way to France, 3 days later. What a magical, once in a lifetime experience. We positioned ourselves at the summit of the final climb of the day in Fan Park, about 6 kilometers from the finish. The crowd was amazing. The energy as the riders came over the top of the climb was addicting and a great way to get us pumped for the next 5 days.

We met our group, 20 people from all over the U.S., Canada and England in downtown Bilbao and took a bus to a beautiful vineyard for lunch, then bike fitting and an introductory 15 mile ride over a 2,000 year old Roman bridge in Cihuri, to Eurostars, our host hotel, a beautiful building, predating the 13th century, located in the city of Haro.

Day 2 – Today’s route had us pedaling east out of Haro through the Temranillo grape vineyards and into the midieval town of Laguardia, also known as the city of cellars as it sits atop a maze of 300 wine cellars called “calados” that were carved in rock back in the Middle Ages and intended for protection and storage of the towns most valuable wine. Lunch here was amazing. Wine, espresso and pintxo’s (basque region appetizers) were just what the doctor ordered. On the way back, we passed an overarching medieval castle dating back to the 11th century with a 6 mile climb to make things interesting. The descent was fast and furious as we dropped into and out of the vineyards with a steep cobblestone finish in the Haro town square.

Day 3 – Today’s route takes us to Santo Domingo de la Calzada, a medieval village constructed specifically for the needs of the pilgrims, who were walking the road to the Santiago de Compostela, a 500 kilometer trek that has been walked for thousands of years. Lunch was in Ezcaray, a beautiful ski town, that sits high above the vineyards.

Today was the day that Liz surprised me. While she pedaled every mile, each day there was an avid option with about 35 extra miles and today, she decided to keep me company on what seemed to be one of the more difficult routes. Together, we climbed, descended down gravel sections and even went off route for a few miles. I could not have asked for a better riding companion. My wife is a Rockstar! We celebrated with a bit more vino that we should have had.

Day 4 ~ There was a bit of history to soak in today. After an incredible breakfast, we pedaled out of Haro, through golden wheat fields and and the foothills of the Topaz Mountains, toward Alesanco, a charming village that houses Yuso and Suso, two 11th century monasteries, both considered to be the birthplace of the Spanish language. As a Spanish teacher, Liz was in awe of the very place that the first words of the Castilian language were ever recorded.

While we were waiting for lunch to be served in Alesanco, there was an extra climb that really challenged my tired legs. After lunch, I left a little early to get a head start back to the hotel and my innate sense of direction, coupled with not paying attention to the map on my Garmin, found me a little lost. I actually did a complete 360 back to the lunch spot.

Day 5 – After Breakfast, our wonderful guides, Alvaro, Jorge and Luis took us for an 8 mile ride that included the toughest climb of the trip. I stayed with Liz as once again, she grinded her way up this incredibly difficult ascent to San Felices De Bilibio, a beautiful church that sat above the tree line and had views of the turquoise coloured mountains and the town of Bastida. The fast descent back to Haro was bittersweet, as this beautiful, breathtaking adventure was coming to a close.

To summarize, the landscape, vineyards, towns, buildings and mostly the people of the Basque region of Spain were beautiful. I have never before, met people that seemed so relaxed and happy. The vino was special. The reds and the whites from each bodega were all remarkable in their own way. I especially liked the Crianza from Beronia.

Then there was our guides. Alvaro, Jorge and Luis turned this from a cycling adventure to a cultural awakening. They were selfless as they completely tended to each and every riders needs. Their knowledge of the region was incredible. While riding, our guides and the support van were always visible.

We headed back on the bus to Bilbao for 2 more days of exploring the largest city in the Basque region. We visited the Guggenheim museum and ate every Pintxo we could get our hands on.

If your going to try a cycling vacation, give Trek Travel your consideration. They craft trips that are rich in culture, history, food, wine and best of all cycling.