I like to go the other way with "older" 29er conversions; with their steep headtube angles and short top tubes, they work well with drop bars. Voila, a burly gravel bike with category-leading tyre clearance! As an added bonus, it isn't thrown off by the addition of suspension, either!
Excellent modifications. The Wolf Tooth and Works components angle headsets avoid the nasty creaking that other designs have. The shorter cranks will really help with pedal strikes as well.
First time i see an angled headset. This is interesting to know.... In the past i increased the angle of my bike by using a tapered fork with the adapter. Basically my bike came up with 100mm fork with 68° angle. But the other version with the same geometry came with with 120mm fork. Basically by keeping the 100mm fork plus the adapter i came up halfway between 68° and 66.5°. Definitely more aggressive on downhill section but for climbing i had to lower the handlebar (negative stem plus flat handlebar and the bike recoved his ability). I think everything was worthed. I feel like i've made a monster :D
@@oldshovel yeah I know, but doesn't not feel like an over forking. After the cockpit update feel like a complete bike, it's pretty hard to explain. Definitely more stable on downhill without ruins the climbing ability.....if you want I can share a photo.
Great addition to any 'old frame ' I went a bit overboard and got some cup holders machined and welded to the frame 78 to 68° as I was painting the frame ..handles so much better
Still rocking my Aluminium Devinci Dixon from 2013, it was kind of ahead of its time geometry wise, so it really only needed some parts swapped out (stem was way too long - 90mm to a 35mm, 2x drivetrain was meh -1x narrow wide, dropper post, better brakes with cooling fins that run on mineral oil instead of dot 5 and a coil shock in the back) to give it a modern bomb proof feel. Dixon is a beast of an early 2010s bike.
Wow. That bike is looking amazing. Got another 10 years in it! If you think going to 170 from 175 is good, wait til you go to 165. Been reading and watching lots of youtubes about the crank length. I've gone from 175 to 170 and now looking for 165's on my Tallboy 2018. On longer rides, it just feels better in the hips.
best advice I can give you? 1x11 and since you have tapered headtube. get a modern fork with a thru axle, you can use a lower wolf components external headset to accomplish this.
Smart from design from Wolf Tooth. Years ago I got a Cane Creek Angle Adjust BUT the larger cup was at the bottom of the head-set which changed the bike geometry by lifting the BB and slackening the seat tube. I felt the handling changes but it made a different bike. I had to get used to. I like this system a lot! ❤
I did the same conversion to my 2012 GF HiFI Pro about 4 years ago. Initially, I used the LX crank with a 34 tooth Race Face ring and a Shimano 11 speed 11-46 cassette. Later I changed the bottom bracket to a Wheels Manufacturing BB86/92 threaded bottom bracket (P/N: BB86-OUT-BB). I also went to a cassette with a larger cog set- A Sunrace CMXS80 11-50. The transition between the two largest cogs is smaller and makes for a smoother shift. The next mod is going to a 120mm travel shock. This will slacken the bike a bit. I also went with 8 inch rotors front a rear. The bike climbs great, but is definitely a handful going downhill.
This is just like the project I wanna do with my 2008 Trek Fuel EX 8 that I got gifted from guys at a trail I go to since they watched me do the dirt jumps in a 200$ huffy and kept telling me to upgrade but I don't have that kind of income yet. I got a 2019 Fox float DPS from a buddy of mine at the bike shop as a gift too, and Im going all out by, trying to fit a tapered marzzochi z2 into a straight 34mm headtube. Imma have to press out the tapered steerer tube and press in an nd tune straight steerer tube with shim adapter. It's definitely wayyy overkill but I'm hardheaded and like to do things the way I want with my bike💪
Great job. I like many here probably didn't even know this was an option. Very informative as always. Cheers. PS how many folks out there are going to be rolling on 61" head tubes after they catch this video. I'm coining the term now, Super Slackers!
Very Nice, I'm actually waiting on my Works Angle Headset to arrive today so I can install it on my MTB. Thanks a TON for your Videos, they're very helpful........🤝🏾🇺🇸💪🏾👍🏾
I recently took my 2003 Bianchi XC bike out for the first time in years, and not since upgrading to a trail bike with modern geo. I enjoyed the heck out of climbing with my old bike, but hated the mild descent! I'm considering reworking this awesome old steel frame into a light and nimble SS this winter. Changes would include tubeless wheelset, reducing the reach, and a rigid fork with slacker head tube angle... will the Wolf Tooth headset work for this old-ass frame with 1-1/8 head tube... maybe with a 1" fork tube? Wishful thinking? If not, I still want to do the resto-mod because I love the old bike and it deserves a new life!
Pressfit bbs not being made anymore ? I think they are prevailing now since it's cheaper to make a frame with a pressfit bb rather than a threaded one. Especially in carbon frames for which you need to glue in the aluminium shell if you want a threaded bb. And I see more pressfit bbs in aluminium frames. As for removal there fairly cheap punch out removal toola from bikehand that fits 24 and 22 mm axles. Pro also has a fairly heap one but obviously it fits only 24 mm axles. Then you have expensive pull-out removal tools. I think it's called an intertial hammer. And that rattle on the first gear. It sounds like the chain being pressed by the upper pulley against the cog requiring adjusting the b tension screw
It’s not that press fit bbs are not being made, it’s this specific pressfit bb needed for this bike that is not being made anymore, it was a “new” one back in 2010 that only a few bikes used for a couple years and then did not catch on. As to the rattle I also suspected the b limit screw at first, but it was the chain line causing the lowest pulley skipping as the chain line was too far off. The crankset I used was for a 2x setup.
@@oldshovel interesting. What type of pf is it ? Isn't it avaialble on aliexpress ? As for the rattle, after you used the spacers for the chainring bolts, the noise is still there.
Is it worth installing an angle headset on an older (ca. 2000) 26" full suspension? I'm assembling parts for a restomod on an old Diamond Back Coil frame.
I was able to slacken the head angle on my 1996 Pro/flex 756 by ditching the Girvin fork for a Rockshox 100mm unit with offset. Oh and went for 27.5 wheel up front for a 27.5 x 26 Mullet combo. Works like a Dream! Only issue was the seat tube angle, but was corrected by a straight seat post and moving the saddle all the way forward to compensate. My head tube is a straight 1-1/8" also.
Rob, I have the same bike (well, a HiFi, not the pro version) and would love to change it over like you did. Would you be willing to post a list of all the mod parts you added? Just names would be helpful!
Did the chain still rub past the frame even after adding in those spacers? Is that what was happening there? It got better, but didn't seem to go away.
get an oval chainring from Garbaruk or Absolute black or any other company that does them with development, those Deckas rings from china have the oval in a wrong place so you feel strange while pedaling. When its a proper oval you don't feel it so much
I have like a 1998 Gary Fisher and Gary Fisher 2003 Sugar 3 full suspension bike in mint condition. What should I do with them? Though about selling, but I'm not sure....
I watch video after video and just cant figure out the removal of the front chainrings. All the retro bikes I am building are all 3x. Maybe I am just old and stubborn. LOL
I like to go the other way with "older" 29er conversions; with their steep headtube angles and short top tubes, they work well with drop bars. Voila, a burly gravel bike with category-leading tyre clearance! As an added bonus, it isn't thrown off by the addition of suspension, either!
You could also add a crown race spacer for another 1/2 degree. Reverse Components Angle Spacer Crown Race works great! Awesome video as always.
Cool
Or go for longer travel fork 10mm in the axle to crown distance slackens the hda by 0,5 degrees. A modern 29er fork will do wonders!
Offset shock hardware also..
Excellent modifications. The Wolf Tooth and Works components angle headsets avoid the nasty creaking that other designs have. The shorter cranks will really help with pedal strikes as well.
Good call not repainting it
First time i see an angled headset. This is interesting to know.... In the past i increased the angle of my bike by using a tapered fork with the adapter. Basically my bike came up with 100mm fork with 68° angle. But the other version with the same geometry came with with 120mm fork. Basically by keeping the 100mm fork plus the adapter i came up halfway between 68° and 66.5°. Definitely more aggressive on downhill section but for climbing i had to lower the handlebar (negative stem plus flat handlebar and the bike recoved his ability). I think everything was worthed. I feel like i've made a monster :D
Lol on making a monster. Sometimes that over-forking a bike can do just that, create a monster. 😁
@@oldshovel yeah I know, but doesn't not feel like an over forking. After the cockpit update feel like a complete bike, it's pretty hard to explain. Definitely more stable on downhill without ruins the climbing ability.....if you want I can share a photo.
You need some adjustment on that "B" screw on the rear derailleur, sounds like it is hitting the bottom of the cassette.
The chain could be too short
Great addition to any 'old frame ' I went a bit overboard and got some cup holders machined and welded to the frame 78 to 68° as I was painting the frame ..handles so much better
Still rocking my Aluminium Devinci Dixon from 2013, it was kind of ahead of its time geometry wise, so it really only needed some parts swapped out (stem was way too long - 90mm to a 35mm, 2x drivetrain was meh -1x narrow wide, dropper post, better brakes with cooling fins that run on mineral oil instead of dot 5 and a coil shock in the back) to give it a modern bomb proof feel. Dixon is a beast of an early 2010s bike.
Wow. That bike is looking amazing. Got another 10 years in it! If you think going to 170 from 175 is good, wait til you go to 165. Been reading and watching lots of youtubes about the crank length. I've gone from 175 to 170 and now looking for 165's on my Tallboy 2018. On longer rides, it just feels better in the hips.
I want to explore the change a bit more also.
best advice I can give you? 1x11 and since you have tapered headtube. get a modern fork with a thru axle, you can use a lower wolf components external headset to accomplish this.
Smart from design from Wolf Tooth.
Years ago I got a Cane Creek Angle Adjust BUT the larger cup was at the bottom of the head-set which changed the bike geometry by lifting the BB and slackening the seat tube. I felt the handling changes but it made a different bike. I had to get used to.
I like this system a lot! ❤
Looks like you added an Oval chainring too? Sure that helped a bit.
Yep. I love the smooth pedal feel of an oval chainring. That’s what I have on my SIR 9 also.
One of your best yet, if not THE best looking, imo. Great work! 👌🏻
Awesome thanks
cool ive seen angled headsets on harleys but not on bicycles before
I did the same conversion to my 2012 GF HiFI Pro about 4 years ago. Initially, I used the LX crank with a 34 tooth Race Face ring and a Shimano 11 speed 11-46 cassette. Later I changed the bottom bracket to a Wheels Manufacturing BB86/92 threaded bottom bracket (P/N: BB86-OUT-BB). I also went to a cassette with a larger cog set- A Sunrace CMXS80 11-50. The transition between the two largest cogs is smaller and makes for a smoother shift. The next mod is going to a 120mm travel shock. This will slacken the bike a bit. I also went with 8 inch rotors front a rear. The bike climbs great, but is definitely a handful going downhill.
You are a part lof the heads angels now
I hope we'll see that 3x9 drivetrain on some other bike. Cranks at least.
This is just like the project I wanna do with my 2008 Trek Fuel EX 8 that I got gifted from guys at a trail I go to since they watched me do the dirt jumps in a 200$ huffy and kept telling me to upgrade but I don't have that kind of income yet. I got a 2019 Fox float DPS from a buddy of mine at the bike shop as a gift too, and Im going all out by, trying to fit a tapered marzzochi z2 into a straight 34mm headtube. Imma have to press out the tapered steerer tube and press in an nd tune straight steerer tube with shim adapter. It's definitely wayyy overkill but I'm hardheaded and like to do things the way I want with my bike💪
Great job. I like many here probably didn't even know this was an option. Very informative as always. Cheers. PS how many folks out there are going to be rolling on 61" head tubes after they catch this video. I'm coining the term now, Super Slackers!
Thanks
I think I will try this on my old 2012 hardtail. I just converted it to singlespeed and coming from modern geometry back to this is a bit weird.
It is noticeable. The early 29er we’re still trying to replicate the feel of a 26” bike.
My hardtail had a 64 head angle and I used a Works Component Angleset to make it steeper, 66. It handles much better.
Very Nice, I'm actually waiting on my Works Angle Headset to arrive today so I can install it on my MTB. Thanks a TON for your Videos, they're very helpful........🤝🏾🇺🇸💪🏾👍🏾
I recently took my 2003 Bianchi XC bike out for the first time in years, and not since upgrading to a trail bike with modern geo. I enjoyed the heck out of climbing with my old bike, but hated the mild descent!
I'm considering reworking this awesome old steel frame into a light and nimble SS this winter. Changes would include tubeless wheelset, reducing the reach, and a rigid fork with slacker head tube angle... will the Wolf Tooth headset work for this old-ass frame with 1-1/8 head tube... maybe with a 1" fork tube? Wishful thinking?
If not, I still want to do the resto-mod because I love the old bike and it deserves a new life!
I have seen Steve of Hardtail Party use angle-sets before, and I have been toying with the idea of doing this to my hardtail.
Whoa....guess I'm late to the party. I've just now read about angled headsets - pretty cool
I'm dropping therapy, I'm just doin' this from now on.
Pressfit bbs not being made anymore ? I think they are prevailing now since it's cheaper to make a frame with a pressfit bb rather than a threaded one. Especially in carbon frames for which you need to glue in the aluminium shell if you want a threaded bb. And I see more pressfit bbs in aluminium frames. As for removal there fairly cheap punch out removal toola from bikehand that fits 24 and 22 mm axles. Pro also has a fairly heap one but obviously it fits only 24 mm axles. Then you have expensive pull-out removal tools. I think it's called an intertial hammer.
And that rattle on the first gear. It sounds like the chain being pressed by the upper pulley against the cog requiring adjusting the b tension screw
It’s not that press fit bbs are not being made, it’s this specific pressfit bb needed for this bike that is not being made anymore, it was a “new” one back in 2010 that only a few bikes used for a couple years and then did not catch on. As to the rattle I also suspected the b limit screw at first, but it was the chain line causing the lowest pulley skipping as the chain line was too far off. The crankset I used was for a 2x setup.
What standard is it? Wheels manufacturing makes virtually every press fit bb's
@@oldshovel interesting. What type of pf is it ? Isn't it avaialble on aliexpress ? As for the rattle, after you used the spacers for the chainring bolts, the noise is still there.
The bike also sounds quieter with the new derailleur.
Good job!
Is it worth installing an angle headset on an older (ca. 2000) 26" full suspension? I'm assembling parts for a restomod on an old Diamond Back Coil frame.
Most older bikes it’s not possible with a 1 1/8 or 1” headtube with external bearings there just isn’t the space to make the adjustment.
I was able to slacken the head angle on my 1996 Pro/flex 756 by ditching the Girvin fork for a Rockshox 100mm unit with offset. Oh and went for 27.5 wheel up front for a 27.5 x 26 Mullet combo. Works like a Dream! Only issue was the seat tube angle, but was corrected by a straight seat post and moving the saddle all the way forward to compensate. My head tube is a straight 1-1/8" also.
It may have 1.5 headtube (and headset), then it's possible. Or straight 44mm headtube, then it's also possible.
Would there be a 120mm airspring available for the fork? Would bring it even further into the future 😀
CK makes a buzz headset for the Sindicate riders does something similar
Wonder if you have a little less toe overlap benefit from both the headset and short crank , old 29ers small pitfall
Any advice for a 1 1/8 straight steerer?
Are there any chances that you'd work on more full suspension bikes?
Question on some of the new parts: Sunrace cassette? And was that a metal replacement cap on the non-drive side crank?
woah didnt know that was a thing
🙌
Mint 👌
Rob, I have the same bike (well, a HiFi, not the pro version) and would love to change it over like you did. Would you be willing to post a list of all the mod parts you added? Just names would be helpful!
Did the chain still rub past the frame even after adding in those spacers? Is that what was happening there? It got better, but didn't seem to go away.
Good stuff
Glad you enjoyed
get an oval chainring from Garbaruk or Absolute black or any other company that does them with development, those Deckas rings from china have the oval in a wrong place so you feel strange while pedaling. When its a proper oval you don't feel it so much
good job👍👍👍
Does this angle headset change seat tube angle?
does the degrees of change vary with the height of the head tube? or do they make them in different sizes for different head tube lengths?
I have like a 1998 Gary Fisher and Gary Fisher 2003 Sugar 3 full suspension bike in mint condition. What should I do with them? Though about selling, but I'm not sure....
Is there a kit to increase the reach and ett?
Good question. Almost like this headset but just moves the steer tube forward… interesting idea
How good is that older XT drivetrain?
Do you mean the 11 speed one I installed? It’s awesome.
why a oval front chainring???
Drop in longer fork and you will have even slacker angle :D
Yep that works too but it changes a bounce of other things too. This kept the XC feel while modernizing it. 😁
Not everyone enjoys raising the BB & slackening the seattube though
How did this affect the bottom bracket hight? Did you get more pedal strikes?
Probably not with the shorter cranks 😉
This also steepens the seat angle by 2° because the front gets lower 👌🏻
I watch video after video and just cant figure out the removal of the front chainrings. All the retro bikes I am building are all 3x. Maybe I am just old and stubborn. LOL
It’s part for the simplicity. Also most modern clutched derailleur drivetrains now are only 1x.
3x forever 💪✌️
Que genioooo
👍👍👍
_Mudification_ aye aye 😂
Lol 🙌 dad joke 😂
Getting rid of a 3x in perfect condition is so ...... no-no for me. To my mind converting to a 1x is a clear downgrade. To each their own. Nice video!
I just rebuilt a Trek 4300 Alpha with takeoff parts to get someone in my area a better bike than dept store garbage.
'Promo sm' 💕
Not cheap, your Rich. $104 for a head set
Chris King has entered the chat.