Litespeed
Converting a vintage road bike to titanium gravel bike
Converting a vintage road bike to titanium gravel bike with 650B wheels.
#Converting #vintage #road #bike #titanium #gravel #bike
“Biking Places”
In this video I will be doing a 650B gravel conversion on an older road bike, a Litespeed Natchez from 1998. It’s a nice titanium frame but the max tire clearance with 700c wheels (for which it is designed) leaves much to be desired. Faster, more comfortable tires over 30mm wide would make it…
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Seven years ago I went ahead and did a 650B conversion on my old Trek 420 road bike. I built the wheels and it is set up with 38mm wide Gravel Kings slicks. It gave new life to that old frame and I still ride it right now. I also built the front wheel with a Shutter Precision dyno hub and this bike just simply, "Rocks!" The softer feel on the road melts the miles away and I love going off road with it too. Your explanation of the feel of the brakes is correct, it did not take long to get used to it and I kept the crank length the same, 170mm. I just simply don't spin on turns. I do a lot of night riding on this bike and since the frame has room, it is also set up with fenders, I ride in the rain a lot. I also ride with other riders who have done the same with their old road bikes and love it. Good luck with your new ride.