Bicycles

How to convert a racy retro road bike into a cool, classy commuter

How to convert a racy retro road bike into a cool, classy commuter
Yours truly on my still-spritely 1988 Miele Elite, modified to make it better suited to everyday use
Yours truly on my still-spritely 1988 Miele Elite, modified to make it better suited to everyday use
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Montreal-based restorer Tory Jarvis converted this 1978 Raleigh Super Grand Prix's drop bars to bullhorns, plus he swapped in time trial brake levers and gave it a single-speed drivetrain
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Montreal-based restorer Tory Jarvis converted this 1978 Raleigh Super Grand Prix's drop bars to bullhorns, plus he swapped in time trial brake levers and gave it a single-speed drivetrain
Another look at Tory Jarvis' Miele
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Another look at Tory Jarvis' Miele
Tory Jarvis with an early 80s Miele on which he stripped the decals, converted the drop bars to bullhorns, swapped in time trial brake levers, and upgraded to a long-cage rear derailleur
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Tory Jarvis with an early 80s Miele on which he stripped the decals, converted the drop bars to bullhorns, swapped in time trial brake levers, and upgraded to a long-cage rear derailleur
Tory Jarvis gave this mid-70s Raleigh Super Sport a 1 x 6 drivetrain and a riser bar, among other modifications
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Tory Jarvis gave this mid-70s Raleigh Super Sport a 1 x 6 drivetrain and a riser bar, among other modifications
The yellow bars and crankset really pop
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The yellow bars and crankset really pop
Tory Jarvis gave this mid-80s Norco Monterey bar-end friction shifters, custom-made handlebars, and a long-cage rear derailleur
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Tory Jarvis gave this mid-80s Norco Monterey bar-end friction shifters, custom-made handlebars, and a long-cage rear derailleur
On this early 80s Raleigh Grand Prix, Tory Jarvis swapped in swept-back bars and converted the drivetrain to a single-speed
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On this early 80s Raleigh Grand Prix, Tory Jarvis swapped in swept-back bars and converted the drivetrain to a single-speed
Seattle/Tacoma area-based restorer Brendon Reed gave this 1987 Trek 400 a flat bar, a single-speed drivetrain, and 650b wheels
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Seattle/Tacoma area-based restorer Brendon Reed gave this 1987 Trek 400 a flat bar, a single-speed drivetrain, and 650b wheels
Because the Trek lost its down-tube-mounted shifters, it got a bell where one of them used to be
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Because the Trek lost its down-tube-mounted shifters, it got a bell where one of them used to be
The Trek's simplified single-speed drivetrain
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The Trek's simplified single-speed drivetrain
Old mountain bikes definitely also do make really nice commuters, such as this Gary Fisher Tassajara restored by Clint Matthew Dowd
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Old mountain bikes definitely also do make really nice commuters, such as this Gary Fisher Tassajara restored by Clint Matthew Dowd
If you like the look of modified classic road bikes but don't want to go to the effort of restoring one, new models such as All-City's steel-framed Super Professional Apex 1 might be up your alley – but of course, they won't be "vintage"
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If you like the look of modified classic road bikes but don't want to go to the effort of restoring one, new models such as All-City's steel-framed Super Professional Apex 1 might be up your alley – but of course, they won't be "vintage"
A set of DIY chop n' flop bullhorn handlebars
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A set of DIY chop n' flop bullhorn handlebars
Yours truly on my still-spritely 1988 Miele Elite, modified to make it better suited to everyday use
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Yours truly on my still-spritely 1988 Miele Elite, modified to make it better suited to everyday use
These ivy decals that I ordered from Etsy really help hide the paint chips on this chain stay
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These ivy decals that I ordered from Etsy really help hide the paint chips on this chain stay
If you find that your bike's original quill stem (pictured) is at too low of an angle, you can buy an adapter that lets you use a raised-angle modern threadless stem with the bike's existing steerer tube
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If you find that your bike's original quill stem (pictured) is at too low of an angle, you can buy an adapter that lets you use a raised-angle modern threadless stem with the bike's existing steerer tube
My 1988 Miele Elite – modifications include a flat handlebar, 1 x 7 drivetrain, rebuilt rear wheel, and 700 x 28c tires
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My 1988 Miele Elite – modifications include a flat handlebar, 1 x 7 drivetrain, rebuilt rear wheel, and 700 x 28c tires
Williamson 3D-printed new spacers for the SunRace freewheel, which allowed the bike to keep its old rear hub while being able to work with a new MicroShift thumb shifter
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Williamson 3D-printed new spacers for the SunRace freewheel, which allowed the bike to keep its old rear hub while being able to work with a new MicroShift thumb shifter
Buffalo, New York-based restorer Timothy Murray Williamson gave this late-80s Miyata 712 a 1 x 6 drivetrain and a flat handlebar
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Buffalo, New York-based restorer Timothy Murray Williamson gave this late-80s Miyata 712 a 1 x 6 drivetrain and a flat handlebar
Timothy Murray Williamson gave this early-90s Look KG 56 the flat-bar 1 x 8 treatment
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Timothy Murray Williamson gave this early-90s Look KG 56 the flat-bar 1 x 8 treatment
View gallery - 20 images

Hybrid commuter bikes generally aren't known for being all that exciting. That's why some cyclists are taking old speed-oriented lugged-steel road bikes that would otherwise go unused, and converting them into zippy, retro-cool city bikes. Here's how you can do it, too.

First of all, yes … pretty much any type of older bike can be fixed up and turned into a stylish commuter.

In fact, with their fatter, thicker tires and sturdier construction, classic 80s and early-90s mountain bikes are a better choice in practical terms. On the other hand, road bikes of approximately the same vintage tend to be lighter, faster, and – oh so importantly – "cooler"-looking, if you're into the lean, mean, fast n' nasty aesthetic.

My 1988 Miele Elite – modifications include a flat handlebar, 1 x 7 drivetrain, rebuilt rear wheel, and 700 x 28c tires
My 1988 Miele Elite – modifications include a flat handlebar, 1 x 7 drivetrain, rebuilt rear wheel, and 700 x 28c tires

With such an admittedly rather immature consideration in mind, that is why I'm focusing on them in this article.

Where to look for what

As is the case with just about everything, platforms like Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji and Craigslist are good places to seek out the Miyata, Bianchi, Nishiki, Fuji, Peugeot or whatever it is that you decide to work with. You could also make inquiries at some of the older, more established bike stores and cycling clubs.

Everyone's price range will vary, but unless you're going after a steed like a mint-condition Colnago or Pinarello, you should be able to find something decent for no more than a few hundred bucks.

Montreal-based restorer Tory Jarvis converted this 1978 Raleigh Super Grand Prix's drop bars to bullhorns, plus he swapped in time trial brake levers and gave it a single-speed drivetrain
Montreal-based restorer Tory Jarvis converted this 1978 Raleigh Super Grand Prix's drop bars to bullhorns, plus he swapped in time trial brake levers and gave it a single-speed drivetrain

Unless you already have a lot of tools, spare parts and mechanical expertise, however, you may be spending at least that much over again on the conversion process. All in all, it might not be any less expensive than buying a brand-new low-end commuter bike.

"Acquiring old bikes and building them can be a cheaper option, but often we get in a hurry or get carried away with our build," says Clint Matthew Dowd, a vintage bike restorer from Kentucky. "But that's part of the fun. I encourage people to buy a working (quality) old bike and ride it, then decide what they want to change."

Michigan-based restorer Joel Shinaberry likewise feels that the DIY approach is the best way to go. "The feeling of pride and accomplishment of having done a conversion and then enjoying the fruits of your labor from the conversion are priceless," he tells us. "And you then have something unique that no one else has."

Let's get rolling

Needless to say, it's important to check for all the stuff you would when buying any used bike – such as wobbly wheels and seized seat posts – but you'll also want there to be enough frame clearance to swap in at least 28-mm tires. It's true, some folks do commute on skinnier, higher-pressure tires, but those make for a bone-jarringly harsh ride on rough roads, and they're more prone to punctures.

Frame eyelets for mounting racks and fenders are certainly a desirable feature, although their absence isn't necessarily a dealbreaker. There are front racks that simply hang from the handlebars, plus there are strap-on mudguards that don't require eyelets. And of course, if you really wanna haul stuff around, you can always just wear a backpack.

Seattle/Tacoma-area restorer Brendon Reed gave this 1987 Trek 400 a flat bar, a single-speed drivetrain, and 650b wheels
Seattle/Tacoma-area restorer Brendon Reed gave this 1987 Trek 400 a flat bar, a single-speed drivetrain, and 650b wheels
Because the Trek lost its down-tube-mounted shifters, it got a bell where one of them used to be
Because the Trek lost its down-tube-mounted shifters, it got a bell where one of them used to be

All of that having been said, there definitely are no rules concerning what bike you choose, or what you do to it. There are a number of modifications that people do tend to make, however, such as …

Getting a handle on the bars

All old road bikes have aero-oriented drop handlebars, which definitely do work for commuting.

For cruising around town while keeping tabs on the surrounding potholes, traffic and pedestrians, however, many cyclists prefer the more commanding, upright, back-friendly stance offered by a flat handlebar. Swapping one in isn't all that difficult, although you will also have to swap the existing drop-bar brake levers for flat-bar levers.

And keep in mind, you can't use a set of long-reach flat-bar levers that were made for use with old-school mountain bikes' cantilever brakes or V-brakes. For the smaller caliper brakes that your road bike will likely have, you'll need short-reach levers. Should you be in any doubt as to what to get, Tektro's RX 1.0 levers are made specifically for flat-bar conversions.

If you find that your bike's original quill stem (pictured) is at too low of an angle, you can buy an adapter that lets you use a raised-angle modern threadless stem with the bike's existing steerer tube
If you find that your bike's original quill stem (pictured) is at too low of an angle, you can buy an adapter that lets you use a raised-angle modern threadless stem with the bike's existing steerer tube

One drawback of going the flat-bar route lies in the fact that your hands will always be located about where they would be if they were on the flats of a drop bar. You can't stretch out and reach farther forward, as you would if you were placing your hands on a drop bar's brake hoods.

That's where bullhorn bars come in. They have the usual flat section in the middle, but they curve up and forward at the ends. As an added bonus, the bike's existing drop-bar levers will still work on those end sections.

A set of DIY chop n' flop bullhorn handlebars
A set of DIY chop n' flop bullhorn handlebars

You certainly can buy purpose-built bullhorn bars, but you can also convert the bike's old drop bars. To do so, you just saw off the lower drops themselves, but leave the sections where the bars start to curve down to them. You then simply flip the bars over so those sections curve up. This is what's known as the chop n' flop method.

Simplifying the drivetrain

Road bikes from the 70s thru early 90s – and even from now – are going to have a front derailleur and two (or even three) chainrings. For racing and long-distance touring, those definitely come in handy. On the streets in stop-and-go traffic, though, you may decide that they're extra clutter you don't need. That's why many urban cyclists pare such drivetrains down.

Tory Jarvis gave this mid-70s Raleigh Super Sport a 1 x 6 drivetrain and a riser bar, among other modifications
Tory Jarvis gave this mid-70s Raleigh Super Sport a 1 x 6 drivetrain and a riser bar, among other modifications
The yellow bars and crankset really pop
The yellow bars and crankset really pop

One approach is to channel your inner hipster or bike messenger, and turn the bike into a single-speed or even a fixie. For more versatility, though, you can just get rid of the front derailleur and one of the chainrings, converting the bike into a 1 x 10 (or 1 x 9, or however many cogs it has in the rear).

When you do this to a mountain bike – with its wide spread of many gears, and its tendency to go bouncing over rough terrain – you often have to swap in a new "narrow-wide" chainring. These have teeth that are specially designed to keep the chain from falling off as it moves toward the far inside or outside reaches of the gear cluster.

Since the freewheels or cassettes of old road bikes typically have 10 or fewer cogs that don't span as wide a gear range, you can often get away with just using one of the existing chainrings – no narrow-wide required.

Buffalo, New York-based restorer Timothy Murray Williamson gave this late-80s Miyata 712 a 1 x 6 drivetrain and a flat handlebar
Buffalo, New York-based restorer Timothy Murray Williamson gave this late-80s Miyata 712 a 1 x 6 drivetrain and a flat handlebar
Williamson 3D-printed new spacers for the SunRace freewheel, which allowed the bike to keep its old rear hub while being able to work with a new MicroShift thumb shifter
Williamson 3D-printed new spacers for the SunRace freewheel, which allowed the bike to keep its old rear hub while being able to work with a new MicroShift thumb shifter

And yes, it is entirely possible that the rear wheel will be equipped with a freewheel, not with a modern freehub and cassette. Fortunately, freewheels are still being made by most major manufacturers, so replacing the one that's on there shouldn't be a problem. Of course, you can also just replace the entire drivetrain with a modern one, but then the whole retro thing kinda starts going out the window.

"Adding personal aesthetic touches while 'upgrading' the functionality of components is where the fun is at for me," says Clint Matthew Dowd. "If a 1x is what you need for your ride then I see nothing wrong with it. Bikes are about the ride and personal expression."

Adapting the shifting

Along with a freewheel, your old road bike will also have down-tube-mounted shift levers. These do take a bit of getting used to if you've never tried them before, but are definitely a hallmark of bikes of the 70s/80s era. If you really can't stand them, though, you can extend the derailleur cable(s) up to a set of bar-mounted shifters.

Additionally, if your bike was made before the mid-80s, it will have friction shifting.

Tory Jarvis gave this mid-80s Norco Monterey bar-end friction shifters, custom-made handlebars, and a long-cage rear derailleur
Tory Jarvis gave this mid-80s Norco Monterey bar-end friction shifters, custom-made handlebars, and a long-cage rear derailleur

Today's bicycles all have indexed shifting, in which the levers and derailleurs snap precisely from one gear to the next. Friction shifting is more like tuning a radio, as you keep pushing the lever until you hear and feel the derailleur "find the gear." It's a bit of a hassle, relatively speaking, but it's what everyone did up until 1985 or so.

Fussing over the paint

Given the fact that your bike will have been around for 40 years give or take, chances are it will have accumulated a few paint chips, scratches, rust spots and other boo-boos in that amount of time. There are various philosophies regarding what to do about these.

Some people take all the components off the frame, strip off all the decals, then get the whole thing sanded and powder-coated with a fresh coat of paint. This is a big and potentially expensive job, which most folks will probably balk at.

You can also do the opposite, and simply keep the bike in all its dinged-up glory. "I always leave patina if I can," says Tory Jarvis, a restorer from Montreal. "It adds to the charm, makes them more friendly to ride (not a precious trophy) and less desirable to thieves."

Tory Jarvis with an early 80s Miele on which he stripped the decals, converted the drop bars to bullhorns, swapped in time trial brake levers, and upgraded to a long-cage rear derailleur
Tory Jarvis with an early 80s Miele on which he stripped the decals, converted the drop bars to bullhorns, swapped in time trial brake levers, and upgraded to a long-cage rear derailleur

On my Miele, I personally just covered the most noticeable chips, etc with either decals or touch-up paint.

That "paint" is actually a blend of green nail polish and white model paint … which sort of matches the original paint if you look at the bike from a distance in dim lighting.

These ivy decals that I ordered from Etsy really help hide the paint chips on this chain stay
These ivy decals that I ordered from Etsy really help hide the paint chips on this chain stay

In any case, nail polish and model paint are available in far more colors than the automotive touch-up paint you might think of using, plus they come in smaller, less expensive bottles.

But isn't the whole idea blasphemous?

There are always going to be people who say that converting race-oriented bikes into commuters is just … wrong. Particularly when those bikes are old time-capsule classics that are valuable to collectors. Such folks, however, probably aren't seeking out the same bikes that you'll be considering.

Timothy Murray Williamson gave this early-90s Look KG 56 the flat-bar 1 x 8 treatment
Timothy Murray Williamson gave this early-90s Look KG 56 the flat-bar 1 x 8 treatment

"I think there are some really special bikes out there that should be restored and appreciated as they were intended. But 99% of bikes, especially from the mid 70s and 80s, are not that," says Tory Jarvis. "They should be used, and used often, because they are still really exceptional bikes. Fix them up so that you will want to ride them. Make a comfortable setup that will have you itching to ride to work, school or errands."

The last word goes to Joel Shinaberry, who adds, "Bikes are made to be ridden, and if your conversion keeps you riding, then that is a win."

For more information and inspiration, check out the Facebook groups Café Cruiser Bicycle and Beautifully Practical Steel Bikes.

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