Top notch Gravel / Cyclocross Bike Build from an old MTB
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- Опубліковано 8 лют 2025
- Transforming a more than 20-year-old Klein Attitude into a Gravel Bike for the rougher terrain.
I had to change almost everything:
-3X9 to 1X11
-Mech V Brakes to Hyd Disc Brakes
-Suspension fork to rigid
-Flat bar to drop bar
-Suspension to dropper seat post
-26" to 27.5" Wheels
I hope some of you like it as much as I do.
Every 40-year-old cyclist who grew up in the 90s is going to tell you you have the coolest bike in the world.
Thanks! it's really a nice conversation starter, but there are a lot more cooler bikes in the world😃
Not a beauty? That is one of the most beautiful bikes I've seen in a few decades!!!
Thanks a lot Mark☺
I agree, it’s beautiful.
Came here expecting a straightforward budget resto... Pulls out XTR crankset first thing...well, you have my attention now. ;-) Nice build.
Thank you, sometimes a little bit of "bling" is just what a bike needs 😜
@@Velofil "little bit" 😂👍
Nice build!
I thought exactly the same thing! Great end result, and sub 9kg with a dropper and chunky rims and tyres is unbelievable!
@@kay1975 x x
It says Top notch no wonder
I think this may be my favourite bike build I've seen on UA-cam. This is exactly what I love about gravel/cyclecross builds, they're so unique
Thank you Andrew really glad you like it 😋👍
Mine too, quality ..
Agree this is incredible ❤❤❤
Indeed, this looks so much better than modern gravel bikes.
Nothing is more beautiful than an old bike with all brand new parts, completely functional. You did an awesome job bro
Thanks Gabriel glad you like it 👍
Only old frame are there. That's absurd build actually. Yes, I'm just jealous and can't afford XT parts
Klein made the best painting ever.
It is darn nice. I also really like the Gary Fisher graphics just before GF transitioned to Trek.
With that original frame color, along with all the hi-end components, it most definitely IS a beauty!
Thanks a lot 👍
proof positive that a gravel bike ain't nothing but a 90's era mountain bike :) Beautifully done.
Thanks Chris 😁 👍
@@Velofil thank you for filming, editing, and posting. I have tried to make bike content. It is hard work. I get wrapped up in the riding and sights and forget to film.
I came here thinking, "Let me see, how much a resto is this."
"Frame got nice paint. hmm."
"Fiddling with the Geometry? Interesting"
"Ordering parts? Just the usual thing."
"XTR?? Ultegra? Fulcrum wheels?"
Mate you blew me off with those parts and a jaw dropping moment at 13:23!
Fabulous job mate. I really love the bike!
When I saw the XTR crank set, I knew this was something special. You saved 3,8 kg. Well done sir!
Love the camelon paint, it looks bad ass. Not to be messed with.
Clicks video expecting to watch maybe 30 seconds, now after almost 15 minutes I'm headed to the garage to see if my Klein hardtail has disc brake mounts. Wish me luck.
lol. i saw that too and was like...."wait, what?"
How did that go?
I think it is the aluminum frames only.
@@poxcr my '97 Attitude Race does not have disc mounts. Bought it new with a summers worth of delivering pizzas.
After around 2000 they had disc mounts on the Attitude, not liked by many as the 'mount' wasn't well executed. The hydraulic cable tie method is nicely done in this video but I think I would prefer the simple elegance (and weight saving) of a V brake.
Nonetheless this is a beautiful video in terms of workmanship and presentation, nicely done!
“Not a beauty” ????
She’s gorgeous and a one off.
I love it, well done 👍
Thanks a lot! ☺️
agreed!
@@Velofil do you sell this? Or others? Please send me a link to the shop
@@palermo777 VT
Honestly came here not expecting much. But you have given a beautiful classic frame a new life. Inspiring build. Thank you.
Thanks appreciate👍
i love those builds from old MTB's . so many jewels out there, waiting to shine again
The kleins always had stunning paintwork and they were super lite at that time
What a transformation! I hate seeing old classics thrown away so maybe you've saved a few from the junkyard. Great job!
Thanks glad you like it 👍
Unreal build! .. And after watching your video … I went straight out and bought an attitude frame with the intention of doing exactly the same. Sweetest looking machine I have ever seen!
Thanks and good luck with your build👍
It is a Beauty for Sure! Nice watching a Klein's Rebirth, thanx!!
Glad you like it!
Just been looking at someone with a Litespeed Unicoi soft tail and a Moots psychloX sat in a garage. Crying out for this kind of revival
Thank you for this! I've learnt how to retrofit disc brakes and how to install tubeless tyres. Big kudos!!
I remember when 650b wheels were just gaining steam in like 2006 and 07, I put some on my old Japanese steel road bike with 44mm tires. Really easy conversion, and it was really great to ride as an all purpose bike.
Klein always had ace paintjobs!
Thank you for taking your time to post this video.
I was wondering if and how should I restore my vintage MTB into a gravel bike with contemporary components, and this insipired me to do it. Awesome job! Very helpful.
Glad i could help, good luck 👍
Converted my old softride mtb to a gravel bike 🚴🏿. Rattle canned it and kept old Indy coil fork.
28-48 up front, 11-42 10 speed out back.
New xt hub and Alex 26 inch rims with machined sidewalls and Dr double butted spokes.
New tektro v-brakes.
Maxxis tan sidewall 2.2 ikons.
Great all around bike.
Went with mtb bars and controls.
Have continental 5000 28c 26 inch tires and aero bars for road riding.
Super smooth and a great climber 🧗♀️
Cool, any pictures online?
I did a similar build for a friend about 3.5 years ago. That frame mount rear disc adapter was a game changer.
Wow this is incredibly cool! My dad and I had Kleins when I was younger and I’ve always had a soft spot for them. What an amazing way to repurpose one
Thanks a lot 👍
Perfect timing; this week I thoroughly cleaned my 2001 Attitude Comp and figured that converting it to gravel spec would probably better suit my use of it. This video is going to help me a lot.
Good luck! Glad I could help a little.
Hi Sjoerd, laat maar weten als je vragen hebt. Ik ben je voorgegaan.. zie profielfoto
I did it just at completion it was stolen , Xmass Day ...99' attitude race ...seemed fast and felt great just didn't get to rip much as I was testing stuff and did it with pats bin cheap stuff ...disc front (circa era rock shock), adapter rear...drops, 2x10 drive, 700cm 38 tires .....fast feeling before it was gone
@@wilfredduiven9925 zo Wilfred, late reactie... uiteindelijk gewoon schwalbe marathon plus tour 26x1.75 eronder, een opzetstuur en een goede onderhoudsbeurt. 570 kilometer in 6 dagen, van onder Rotterdam tot Luxemburg, via Verdun en Metz. Goed fietsje hoor...
@@seansims8805 I am always afraid my Attitude will get stolen. It would break my heart.
My jaw is still on the floor! Wow what a sweet conversion and weight reduction is mind blowing. Overall appearance I think is wonderful and not ugly at all. Front end looks tall with that Niner fork but every thing else looks really clean. I'm curious as others are how it handles? Nicely done and mission squarely accomplished.
Thanks a lot 👍 It handles very quickly thru the trails and the road part to the trails is fun too!
No lie that’s definitely “Top Notch.” That mint Klein deserved the best!
Thanks a lot JP👍
Klein bikes were "da Bomb" in the 1990s. Glad to see such an iconic frame revitalized. Would have gone for a 2x setup just to have a few more big gears for the flats, but all in all this is a sensational build.
What do you mean not a beauty! It's fantastic! Have watched a lot of bike builds and this is one of the best. Well done.
Thanks a lot Kevin 👍
I think it looks badass! Great job! You've given me the inspiration to transform my old hardtail. Will you consider putting a full parts list in the description?
make sure the frame you choose has the disc brake mounts or you will have to have db mounts welded on
Really cool video!! For a low sub channel, this was top notch filming and editing. Great choice of parts, I think it is a beauty!
Wow! Thanks so much Evan! I really appreciate your comment
Beautiful beast. Lovely rebuild with well chosen parts. the XTR & Ultra parts are perfect as is the new fork. Usually the QR lever should be on the non drive side but it's a matter of preference. A real head turner.
That was therapy watching this. Beautiful bike.
This build is just awesome! Thank you for the inspiration! Definitely will be converting my old 26 mtb to a gravel bike like this!
Thank you you're welcome👍 Good luck with your build
Great way to keep the classics alive, I did something similar to a 2011 Ridley X-Fire and I upgraded everything but the Avid Shorty cantilever brakes (they looked way too cool) and now she’s at 15lbs. and it’s fast. Kept the original Fulcrum Racing 7 wheel set and put a SRAM 1X on her. Great job on that bike, Klein always did have amazing paint jobs!……Rob K
Thanks Rob👍
Utterly awesome build! Not just mechanically optimised, but a real work of art too. I hope she rides well and that you get many, many happy miles out of her. Keep well :-)
Thanks James for this nice feedback!
I’ve been thinking of doing this for a while now. Want a gravel bike but they are hard to find and expensive when you do. Plus you get the fun of building it yourself.
Not what I was expecting, but it's the best 14 minutes of dreaming to one day ride home with this beast and the final touch would be slapping a mid drive motor... Woke up with a satisfying smile knowing that I cannot afford any of these 😅
Good build. I appreciate your choice in the soothing background music.
😄 Thanks
Amazing work! I love your passion for the old-school bike.
Thanks Pablo 👍
Best bike build video I’ve seen and the finished article looks stunning 🤩
Thanks, I feel honoured 😆
Such an amazing video re-purposing a dirty old MTB into e beast of a gravel bike. Brilliant job, Klein lives on!
Thanks a lot 🤗
This is one of those "spared no expense" videos. Nice build
Thanks ☺️
Great job. It probably took me longer to get my tyres to seal when changing to tubeless than it took you to do a complete refurbishment.🤓
LOL 😂 thanks
i love how klein just casually put a disc brake conversion bolt mounting in their frame. so just you didnt feel bad about your old bike and buy a new one, build to last
😁👍
Ah, I wondered about this, couldn't figure out how the disc brake mount was attached.
Beautiful build. The only thing I would do differently is a nice colorful ribbon on the steering bar. I build also a lot of bikes myself.
Thanks 👍
Oh.My.God. This is soooo satisfying, seeing someone with the proper knowledge building this thing up and everything fits perfectly...! What a genius. I would be totally lost...Great!
Thank you but I'm far from a genius 😄
I have a coworker I've been trying to talk converting his Klein into a gravel grinder. I think I've succeeded thanks to these videos 😂
Cool glad I could "help" ☺
Best thing about this build is that this ride actually blows away overpriced crap like an Open Up or any other number of mass produced carbon gravel framesets that cost no more than a few hundred dollars to make, retail for thousands, and usually have shitty quality control, crap bottom brackets, and other issues. Plus this gem looks way better than any of that silly priced CF crapola.
Nice job!
Thanks a lot Robert I appreciate that very much👍
😍 WOW, absolutely gorgeous and what an amazing use of an otherwise outdated frame!
Must investigate of my Sintesi X-Wing that works as a daily commuter could go through a similar transformation...🤔
Thanks Simon 👍 Good luck with your new project 😊
Couldn’t have done it to a better frame ! This is a thing of Beauty I’d rather this then those freaks that sticks these on their living room walls 😂
LOL Thanks!
Used to have these kleins on the covers of my books at school in 95-98. Nice job might try something similar.
Wow! Thank you for sharing this labour of love. Great bike, great video!
Have to admit...because of this excellent video(!!), I'm maybe-considering appreciating the use of full-finger gloves for work. Maybe :-)
😂 Thanks mate!
I disagree. It IS a beauty! And I'm not all that into gravel bikes, but I love the old Kleins and this was an awesome build man! Love the Niner fork, the disc brake adapter at the dropout, the the stick on cable guides, and the way you used the cable routing through the top tube for the dropper post. Quality parts used throughout. Well thought out build man.
Thanks really appreciate that 👍
Absolute beauty! Great idea and excellent workmanship!!! Inspiring!
Glad you like it 👍
What an awesome transformation. To even include a dropper post, amazing!!! Well done sir!
Thanks a lot! 😁👍
the paint on this klein is the best I've ever seen on any bike.
Stunning! The best gravel conversion video I’ve seen so far! Awesome!
Oh wow I feel honored!
Stunning.. Inspirational... Now where's my old trek?
Thanks Jeremy 😁👍
Very interesting.
I've resurrected my +25yo Chromo hardtail for commuting, and contemplating the next step similar to what you've done.
For now I've converted to Disc and 1x10, kept the 26'ers with some 2.4" Holy Rollers (@50 psi).
I've used a Shimano Zee RD (Short Cage Freeride version) with an 11-42 HG500 cassette and a 36t chainring (needs bigger ~42t).
depends on the frame's weight. if it's not at least one of the mid tier alloys, it's not worth throwing too much at it.
i dont know, you could be looking at a 90's 3kg hunk or a fantastic sub 2.1Kg high end cromo.
also who the heck needs hardpack 2.4's on a daily commute?
no disrespect here, but mine never was exactly smooth and glass free pavement...and i've done away with 700/23 to 28C road tyres. instead i'd go for good allround tyres in the 1.75 to 2" range. armadillos, marathons, gravelkings... something reasonablely light, robust and silent. tyre and wheel weight plays a LOT in start and stop traffic. yours are heavy AF.
if you're in pain, look up to your saddle and posture.
@@comethiburs2326 thanks for the incites.
The wheels are definitely a 'to be replaced' item (freewheel is about to explode), so far it's mainly my winter hill climb rig (no point thrashing the big enduro bike & $$ tyres on the road) and gets a fair bit of gravel road work too, they have also (touchwood) avoided punctures on the commute, and are the same dia as a 700x28 - cruises at ~32-35kph with the gearing and 50psi in them.
Was put together on the cheap as a 'proof of concept' as the frame is good quality tange double butted tubing and thought it was worth a go - which it was.
Just scoping out where to next to improve more - lots of ideas :)
I bought a 1983 Trek 850 frame to build similar. Tange chromo Champion #3 over sized tubing, all 10 7 10 butted with a 12 9 12 down tube. It’s a little porky but I’m building a rough terrain tourer with it. 48cm chain stays!! 😍
I’ve been searching FOREVER for this year’s model, specifically because it has a brazed lugged fork crown. I wanted a classic look and was specifically avoiding a unicrown fork.
It has single back eyelets and double fronts, so I’m planing on 1.5” tires, fenders, front rack for the main load and a rear rack to lash a sleeping system and a tent.
Going for a classic Camper Bike feel, like what you saw being handmade in the 40’s and ‘50s out of France. A rough stuff fellowship build!
This inspired me to make my own beast from a 97 Stumpjumper, and I really love it!
Thanks internet, thanks human kind for those kind of "experiences"...loved watching the process and the final result of course ...every second of it...camera/ recording >> awesome. Great great job!
Thanks for the nice compliment🤗
Niner carbon forks are the bomb. Love mine! Cool retrofit of a disc brake on the rear. Had no idea that was possible.
Very interesting but I' think very expensive!
Thanks, 😃
Compared to what? A yacht? A set of golf clubs? A new gravel bike?
Oh, I see... A yacht. Expensive compared to a yacht.
This is bike porn my friend. Nice build. Where do you get that rear disc brake conversion bracket?
Thanks 😂 glad you like it 👍 they are from "Sellution Components"
@@Velofil I've never seen those before. Very good idea
@@Velofil do they work well I want to put discs on my old steel bianchi
@@lukelowndes3955 If they fit, they'll work, you just have to take some measurements
Is it safe??? Thanks for the response
I beg to differ, that original frame color was beautiful. Nice work!
Thanks Dan 👍
Best bulid up a bike video ive ever seen in my whole life
Oh I feel honoured 😃 Thanks!
I think it would’ve been cool to use a 29 inch front tire
29 inch means a 28 inch rim with a fat tire (+2 in/5 cm). These tires already look quite fat, so why go any bigger?
Great conversion great video but why doing DIY if the final cost is $$$$ ? should be rather $ or $$. Otherwise just like with cars the cost of buying new components separately is way more expensive than getting it altogether when buying an OEM bike. It's been proven times and again that cost of aftermarket/ separate components is extremely expensive. So yea thst looks nice, however in terms of vision I'd have found it more helpful to i.e. ahow how to recycle one or more used road bikes components and then perhaps a new gravel fork cause yes that's really needed to fit wider tyres or dosc breaks.
But content creators need to show in their videos the opening of boxes and shiny new parts. It’s a kind of wishful thinking on behalf of the viewer, whereas the restoration of old parts would be boring to most viewers, except you and me.
There are rusty old builds and full restos here on YT. I guess the fact that we all clicked on this one with the gorgeous bike in the thumbnail instead of one of those tells you your answer.
Can you post a parts list? Specifically, I am interested in some of the adapter parts, like the rear disc brake adapter, and the derailleur hanger adapter, etc. Also, what did you mean by tinkering with the geometry?
The rear disk adapter was specific to this bike, and the the rear hanger is a Wolf Tooth Road Link Direct Mount. I assume "Tinkering Geo" means he had to shorten/lengthen stems, cranks, seat post ect... going from a 100mm stem to a 70mm stem alters the geo huge.
I think that he meant choosing the right fork, which allowed him to raise the bottom bracket, changed head tube angle and maybe wheelbase
Funny how only yesterday I was thinking how my old Klein bikes geometry would have made a great gravel bike, what a build that is!
Thanks, glad you like it🤗
Restoration x Upgrade... Awesome build, bro 😁
Thanks a lot👍
14:20 "Not a beauty" my ass! It´s sexy like hell! Superb build. Congrats
Thanks Diego glad you like it 👍
This channel has the weirdest ratio of views to subscribers
Bike shops playing this in the background where I’m at
@@devincollen-zajas2137 these build videos are only increasing in relevance as time goes on
The bike build videos are gems 💎, but there are only a few on the channel.
Seriously thought I'd watch the beginning of the video and skip ahead to the end. Didn't. Video is seriously interesting.
Thanks a lot 👍
Beautiful bike build. It looks amazing in the end! And that frame color, wow... 😍
Kind of did the same to a Ridley X-Fire CX bike and turned it into a gravel racer, I kept the Avid Shorty Ultimate cantilevers just because they’re cool looking. Put a SRAM Force1-1X drivetrain and used the existing Fulcrum Racing 7 wheels. This bike is a beast and just keeps coming back for more. Great build video, really enjoyed it.
Thanks, are there pictures online?
@@Velofil …..where would you like to send you some? I’ll have some on my Facebook page soon if you want to see it.
Looks cool, I’d be curious what Stack and Reach is after converting the handlebars to drops compared to straight bars.
TL;DR: don't use the same stem with drop bars, as they will add 50-75mm of reach.
Just add the length of the stem used to the bar reach of the drops, and compare that the length of the stem used with straight bars. If the bars have any sweep, subtract a centimeter or so. And that gives you the change in reach. Stack won't change much if you keep the same stem angle and don't add spacers, but if you had riser MTB bars on, and don't use a drop bar with rise, it will decrease by the missing rise.
OMG this is too hilarious . All of the vehement defense of gravel bikes being something other than an eighties MTB have been shattered with this single video . 😂
😇 Lol I guess you're right
on the plus side my eighties schwinn Cimmaron mtb with rim brakes and no suspension was the most fun bike i ever had . it was bomb proof . i crashed it many times and never had to fix it .
i paid $450 for it . at that price it was a throwaway if wrecked but no matter how hard i tried i couldn't destroy it .😂
Wow! As soon as the first piece of jewelry was unboxed, I knew this was going to be a very special build. Great attention to detail when choosing the components. The final result is definitely a piece of custom built art. I'd have to hang it on the wall, admire it, stroke it occasionally, but probably never ride it! What a peach 👍👌😎
Thanks a lot! (the bike is too much fun to just hang on the wall :-)
Oh wow! Was thinking of doing the same with my old frame. Need to do as much work as you did! Didn't think it's possible until I saw this video! Thank you!
Thank YOU! 👍
I have this old mountain bike I use to travel in Europe with; gravel bike could be it's second life!!
Nice work buddy!
What an amazing build!! .... I have an Adroit (circa 98) and this would be a dream conversion for that
Thanks a lot 😁👍
Fun idea. I used to build and sell Klein bikes back in the day. They were ahead of their time for sure. Nowadays things have gone above and beyond, but they are still beautiful bikes to me. This one is a little on the Frankenbike side. Still cool though.
Thanks Peter👍
One of the best modernizations I have seen yet
really classy build. I love the vintage bike with modern components vibe.
Thanks a lot 👍
We've all got an old high-end Klein gathering dust in our sheds, lovely frame & bike, could easily apply something like thins om my old 90's 531 Rigid frame and forks
Fantastic. The mix of new tech with the classic frame is just amazing. Ultegra derailer with XTR crank, nice. Gives me inspiration for my own build..
Thanks, glad I could inspire you😃
Watching this in sight of my old rigid Orange P7 makes see what it could become. A great bike rebuild, thanks. Iain
Thank you Iain 👍
Absolutely perfect. I bet she glides like a dream. Bravo
I have almost the identical bike (pre-conversion). Bought it new in 2001. Mine had the rear disc mount already, and was purple/black/green flop paint.. I still love the bike, but the old geometry not so much - and this looks like the perfect recipe to save her! I've been wanting a gravel bike, now it seems I already have one. Some assembly required!
good luck with the conversion👍
I have the same Klein hanging in my garage that I would love to do this with! It’s been sitting for years because I replaced it with a newer bike and I do not have a gravel bike at all.
What a beautiful and professional build. I'm so glad I came across this video.
Thanks for this nice compliment👍
I had a gorgeous pink-orange Klein Pinnacle MTB many years ago. Now I wish I hung onto it and did a similar restoration-conversion.
No. Any Klein where the finish is still in good condition is a Beauty. Nice job!
Thanks Roland 👍
@@VelofilI would be grateful for your opinion on MTB frame sizes for these type of conversions in the question in my other comment. Thanks a lot.
Back in 1995 I built the Klein website for Gary Klein. I was compensated with a bunch of bikes, one of which is a Klein Attitude Race. I took it out riding some gravel trails this last weekend and was thinking it might be time to get a new gravel bike so I could get the 1x drivetrain, rigid fork, larger wheels, and disc brakes. Now I’m thinking I just need to convert my existing bike.
Cool! I probably even visited your website back then 👍
@@Velofil Wasn't up very long. TREK bought them out a few months later and moved Klien under their site. Was bummed that the site wasn't up very long but in addition to the Attitude Race, I also got a Mantra Pro full suspension, and about 8 Pulses that I gave to family. My wife still has hers.
Damn! It looks SO GOOD! And I can't believe how light this is! My bf's carbon frame gravel bike weights 10.25kg, and yours is a steel frame and still lighter!
Amazing job - that is one stunning bike!
Thanks a lot glad you like it 👍 (BTW it's an aluminium Frame :-)
My bad. That's still really amazing!
@@Velofil Out of curiosity, what's the steer tube diameter? Is it a 1 1/8"?