Too small MB-3, need help with Dirt Drop, bar rec's

[Tim Tetrault]

Hey all- I have a nice, sort of beat up but still very usable MB-3 that I bought a few months back that I want to turn into my rainy commuter/singletrack explorer. It's a 21'' frame I believe, and I am 6'2'' with a long inseam. It is rideable, but not comfortable for very long.

I'm reaching out to the group for recommendations on a combo bar/stem that could be workable. How much lift would a dirt drop give me with an Alba bar vs. a Bosco? Those Boscos seem huge.

I'd like to be able to hang on to this bike and make it work. Seems like it's got a lot of life left in it and my Sam Hilborne remains my main ride.

Thanks-

Tim

[David Hays]

I have a similarly too small MB-5( though I'm 5'8' and I believe the bike is a 42 or 46).

It is quite zippy and comfortable for brief rides but doesn't any opportunity to stretch.

I'm thinking of flipping the Soma sparrow bars I have on it.

Certainly appreciate any suggestions others have.

Thanks

David

 

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[iamkeith]

Common predicament, sounds like.    I'm also 6'2" (short inseam) and have been trying for a long time to make a 20.5" (52cm) MB1 work for me.  It now seems almost comical to remember that this is actually the same or even a bit BIGGER than the comparable bikes I rode when it was new.  You can see here where I even the dirt drop stem (but with dirt drop bars, too) for a while, but not successfully.   My caution/reminder would be that the bike is not only smaller height wise than you'd want nowadays, but it also has a lot shorter top tube!  And the dirt drop stem has very little forward reach.  So the Bosco bars, which are sort of designed for long top tube bikes like the Appaloosa from what I understand, might  end up coming  too far back toward you.  I like  David's idea and photo, with a long technomic stem, and think it would work much better for you, no matter what bar you choose - but especially with the Bosco.

[Robert Barr]

Tim,

 

I have two MB-3s, a 55cm that I rode as a commuter and now use as local trail explorer, and I 49cm that my wife rides. I am right at 6', but with a shorter inseam, so the 55 is a bit too small for me, but I have a lot of fun with it. The 49 fits my wife perfectly. I have Alba bars and a dirt drop stem on the 55. Measured from the top of the headset locknut the center of the bars are at 14 cm, with the "wings" at 20 cm. The stem is not maxed out. My wife likes her bars a bit higher and has Alba bars on a Periscopa stem. I love the Albas - have them on three bikes, so I can't speak to the Boscoes.

 

Bob (Indianapolis)

--

[Garth]

As mentioned, the Bosco Bar would not work for you at all here, as it sweeps waaaay back close to the rider and is designed for long TT frames.

I'd use Alba bars and a tall Quill (like the Nitto MTC-04 tall) adapter and a threadless stem with a +6 or 10 degree rise myself. The Technomic is okay, but because it is a -17 degree rise, it rather defeats it's own purpose in a sense, as people buy these to get a higher bar. The most efficient way is a rising angle stem. A long Dirt Drop stem would be great, but for whatever reason they are only made in short, and shorter sizes.


Ultimately though, you bought a frame that is too small for you and you're trying to make it work for you, but in truth, it's just not your size.  The best deal in the world is poor deal if it's is not pleasing to ride :)

[Tim Tetrault]

David,

That is a great picture. What a nice blue. What kind of camera are you using on that?

Also, how do you like the Sparrow bars? I had forgotten that I have a set in my spare parts bin and maybe I can combine it with the dirt drop to avoid having the bars come back too far. They look sharp in the "negative" setting.

Tim

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[David Hays]

Thanks Tim . I'm using a Pentax K-5.

I really like the sparrow bar having ridden motorcycles for years with sport or clubman bars. The problem is simply the frame being too small to stretch out for any kind of longer ride. Though I have.

I had picked up the bike with the Michelin City tires on it for $50 before I put the rest together.

Hopefully next week I'll get a chance to flip the bars.

David

 

On Sep 20, 2013, at 1:33 PM, Tim Tetrault <ttet...@gmail.com> wrote:

David,

That is a great picture. What a nice blue. What kind of camera are you using on that?

Also, how do you like the Sparrow bars? I had forgotten that I have a set in my spare parts bin and maybe I can combine it with the dirt drop to avoid having the bars come back too far. They look sharp in the "negative" setting.

Tim

On Thu, Sep 19, 2013 at 12:50 PM, David Hays <23wr...@gmail.com> wrote:

I have a similarly too small MB-5( though I'm 5'8' and I believe the bike is a 42 or 46).

It is quite zippy and comfortable for brief rides but doesn't any opportunity to stretch.

I'm thinking of flipping the Soma sparrow bars I have on it.

Certainly appreciate any suggestions others have.

Thanks

David

<Bridgestone-MB-5-.jpg> 

[cyclotourist]

I'll throw in a counter argument: Set it free, and buy a bike that fits you.
I don't know your financial situation, but life is too short to ride
an ill-fitting bike (or drink cheap booze).

My $.02

Cheers,
David

"it isn't a contest. Just enjoy the ride." - Seth Vidal

[qwerty]

I've had good luck using the traditional moustache bar on bikes that
are somewhat undersized. If still cramped with a dirt drop stem, you
could switch to a technomic for even greater reach.

Mike G.

[sameness]

Longer Technomic or Dirt Drop stem plus a set of the original Moustache bars... but flipped? 

I've seen it done, and it's not the prettiest thing in the world, but the old M-bars seem to be cheap and plentiful, and it'll get you further over the front end. 

Kalloy make a cheap Dirt Drop stem as well, though the quill looks to be a bit shorter than that of the Nittos.

Or as mentioned below, a threadless adapter, which opens up the possibility of many a cheap, long, DD-ish Dimension stem. 

Jeff Hagedorn

Warragul, VIC Australia

[Coconutbill]

I ride a 47 Hilsen and looking for a Bridgestone mountain bike in the 18' , or 49cm sort of realm.... 

If there is a bunch of sentiment attached and you are still hoping to make them workable bikes, I totally understand.

Other wise, there's a good chance I would be interested.

EvanS

Canyon Country, CA

[Tim Tetrault]

Evan,

Thanks for the notice. I will keep that in mind, and maybe even get some pics up this weekend. Here's a not so good one. 

I am aware Surly's Straggler just came out and my jaw dropped. That thing looks cool for a rain bike, but not sure if I can budget it. 

Tim

[Bryan]

Hi, Tim 

I'm about the same size as you. I ride a 60cm Hillborne and a 64cm Quickbeam, which both fit great. I had a 21" late-'80s Stumpjumper for a while, but ultimately it was just too small for comfortable 'round-town riding. Then I found virtually the same bike in a 23" size, and that's worked out very well for my needs (bad weather/dark winter night commuting/hauling kids in a trailer). Alba bars work perfectly with the stock stem. There aren't a whole lot of 23" old MTBs out there, but it's worth it to find the right size if old MTBs are your thing. I still wouldn't want to spend more than a couple of hours on it, but it's fun for short rides. 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bwedgar/9776886243/

Good luck!

Bryan 

[David Hays]

Thanks for the tip Mike.

I pulled the moustache bar from my Miyata Triplecross. The cables are too short so I'll have to fiddle with those but otherwise I think we could have a good fit.

David

[qwerty]

David,
Looks like you're on your way to getting a newly revised bike! Enjoy!!

Mike

On 9/24/13, David Hays <23wr...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Thanks for the tip Mike.
> I pulled the moustache bar from my Miyata Triplecross. The cables are too
> short so I'll have to fiddle with those but otherwise I think we could have
>
> a good fit.
> David
>

> <https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-THHb4ve9uXA/UkIRnh-0s-I/AAAAAAAAAJs/R8ujiiK1zEk/s1600/Bridgestone-MB-5-with-mustache.jpg>

>
>
>
> On Friday, September 20, 2013 9:41:58 PM UTC-4, Mike Gillespie wrote:
>>
>> I've had good luck using the traditional moustache bar on bikes that
>> are somewhat undersized. If still cramped with a dirt drop stem, you
>> could switch to a technomic for even greater reach.
>>
>> Mike G.
>>

>> On 9/20/13, cyclotourist <cyclot...@gmail.com <javascript:>> wrote:
>> > I'll throw in a counter argument: Set it free, and buy a bike that fits
>> >
>> > you.
>> > I don't know your financial situation, but life is too short to ride
>> > an ill-fitting bike (or drink cheap booze).
>> >
>> > My $.02
>> >
>> > On 9/20/13, David Hays <23wr...@gmail.com <javascript:>> wrote:
>> >> Thanks Tim . I'm using a Pentax K-5.
>> >> I really like the sparrow bar having ridden motorcycles for years with
>> >>
>> >> sport
>> >> or clubman bars. The problem is simply the frame being too small to
>> >> stretch
>> >> out for any kind of longer ride. Though I have.
>> >> I had picked up the bike with the Michelin City tires on it for $50
>> before
>> >> I
>> >> put the rest together.
>> >> Hopefully next week I'll get a chance to flip the bars.
>> >> David
>> >>
>> >>
>> >> On Sep 20, 2013, at 1:33 PM, Tim Tetrault

>> >> <ttet...@gmail.com<javascript:>>

>> wrote:
>> >>
>> >>> David,
>> >>>
>> >>> That is a great picture. What a nice blue. What kind of camera are you
>> >>>
>> >>> using on that?
>> >>>
>> >>> Also, how do you like the Sparrow bars? I had forgotten that I have a
>> >>>
>> >>> set
>> >>> in my spare parts bin and maybe I can combine it with the dirt drop to
>> >>>
>> >>> avoid having the bars come back too far. They look sharp in the
>> >>> "negative"
>> >>> setting.
>> >>>
>> >>> Tim
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>> On Thu, Sep 19, 2013 at 12:50 PM, David Hays

>> >>> <23wr...@gmail.com<javascript:>>

>>
>> >>> wrote:
>> >>> I have a similarly too small MB-5( though I'm 5'8' and I believe the
>> >>> bike
>> >>> is a 42 or 46).
>> >>> It is quite zippy and comfortable for brief rides but doesn't any
>> >>> opportunity to stretch.
>> >>> I'm thinking of flipping the Soma sparrow bars I have on it.
>> >>> Certainly appreciate any suggestions others have.
>> >>> Thanks
>> >>> David
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>> <Bridgestone-MB-5-.jpg>
>> >>> On Sep 19, 2013, at 1:09 PM, Tim Tetrault

>> >>> <ttet...@gmail.com<javascript:>>

>> >>>> email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com <javascript:>.

>> >>>> To post to this group, send email to

>> >>>> rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com<javascript:>.

>>
>> >>>> Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch.
>> >>>>
>> >>>> For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
>> >>>
>> >>>
>> >>> --
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>> >>
>> >
>> >
>> > --
>> > Cheers,
>> > David
>> >
>> > "it isn't a contest. Just enjoy the ride." - Seth Vidal
>> >
>> > --
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>> Groups
>> > "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
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>> an

>> > email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com <javascript:>.

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