How to build a MonsterCross Bike 101

[Mongoose!]

[Hairy]

2 hours ago, NotSoBigBen said:

Thanks to @droo fitting a Lefty to my Merida Monstercross has taken a big step forward .... Getting a spacer made next then test fit 😎

And as always 'just because I can' 🤪

Could I ask for another pic zoomed out to show more of the frame?

[NotSoBigBen]

21 minutes ago, Hairy said:

Could I ask for another pic zoomed out to show more of the frame?

Isn't fitted to the frame yet .... I'll certainly post pics as I go along. This pic I got off the Interwebs to show how it should look.

Essentially Cannondale themselves and Project321 used to sell adapters called 'Lefty for all' that you could use to fit a Lefty to a 'standard frame', the only caveat being your headtube must fit between the 2 brackets of the Lefty. These seem no longer to be sold and to have the bits made would cost about 2k I'm told. 

I had this idea (was going to say brainwave but that would imply the presence of a brain 🤪 ) that a tapered steerer tube out of a fork 'upper' would have a close enough shape and size to be usable for this .... @droo was kind enough to send me one and strues nuts it goes in like a bought one 😎

Just need to have a relatively simple shim made for the top and I'm good to go! Busy with that at the moment ....

Edited March 3 by NotSoBigBen

[Mongoose!]

I have n project 321 steerer adapter (currently not in use) as I fitted n rigid fork. Unfortunately not for sale as a chop and change between the lefty and the rigid fork frequently. I think the most important part for that shim is to make sure it has a slit so that the clamp on the lefty can clamp it securely.  There's quite an amount of force there and you don't want a loose handle bar or headset...you welcome to contact me if you require pictures. Cheers and keep us updated 

Edited March 3 by Mongoose!

[NotSoBigBen]

1 minute ago, Mongoose! said:

I have n project 321 steerer adapter (currently not in use) as I fitted n rigid fork. Unfortunately not for sale as a chop and change between the lefty and the rigid fork frequently. I think the most important part for that shim is to make sure it has a slit so that the clamp on the lefty can clamp it securely.  There's quite an amount of force there and you don't want a loose handle bar or headset...you welcome to contact me if you require pictures. Cheers and keep us updated 

Howzit, thanks man .... my ever helpful mate Grumpy did warn me about that. Told me to make sure it had a slit in it 👍

If you wouldn't mind to post a picture of yours for reference though anyway please?

[Mongoose!]

16 minutes ago, NotSoBigBen said:

Howzit, thanks man .... my ever helpful mate Grumpy did warn me about that. Told me to make sure it had a slit in it 👍

If you wouldn't mind to post a picture of yours for reference though anyway please?

[NotSoBigBen]

22 minutes ago, Mongoose! said:

You are a scholar and a gentleman, thank you so much! Will be very helpful

[Bub Marley]

So after being dead against this idea in the past, I’ve slowly come full circle on this. Hardtail has been standing for the last 6 months after i purchased my full sus. Did not really want to invest in a full carbon gravel bike and also didn’t want to just get a cheaper one just for the sake of it. And I love this frame which also quite rare so opted to go down this route. 

 

Did a quick spin around the block just to get a feel, and it’s different tbh. Will go for a proper spin today but my first thought is perhaps look at a more steeper negative angled stem as the position is a bit high. I feel like i can get lower.

Also perhaps need a road derailleur as i cant shift into my lightest gear. Mechanic says its the older style mtb derailleur is the issue.

[NotSoBigBen]

Finally getting down to sorting the Lefty stuff for my gravel bike. 

Thanks to advice from Grumpy I dropped the fork off at a local engineering guru to have the spacer made, provided the dimensions from @Mongoose!, thanks again mate. He says it'll probably be ready tomorrow 😎

Have to build a wheel .... That'll happen over the next few days. Bloody hell Grumpy has some cool cool stuff!

 

[RobynE 🚵‍♀️]

So here is my foray into a Monstercross tandem for my kiddo and I to do Race2, 947, Crater Cruise, etc. Picked it up at Cash Converters for R2900 and got a free pug cushion and cooldrink lol. 

Everything works. 

Wheels are 700c Jetset with 48 spokes. 

Brakes are Tektro. 

Drivetrain is Sora 2x9. &nbsp

Bike feels solid and decent! Needs a clean but she rolls, she shifts and she stops. 

Anyone have any idea what size tyres I’ll be able to run? - tubeless - not 💯 sure of rim ID but I’m going to guess 18mm, with enough clearance in the current fork which seems to be original? Do I do tubeless with air liner, or slime tubes? 

Bearing in mind I will ultimately change it up to a different fork, 1x drivetrain, disc brakes, flat bar bike, bit by bit as finances allow - but I would like to do the Race2 recce ride this Saturday so need to get tyres that will do the job in the interim (along with putting a shorter stem, new brake pads and a couple of other tweaks). 

It says Peugeot Pro on the frame but I think the model was actually called the Peugeot Competition. 

@NotSoBigBen I’m giving you a hopeful look. 

 

[karma]

before it was cool: @Eldron - ‎16 ‎December ‎2012

[NotSoBigBen]

9 hours ago, RobynE 🚵‍♀️ said:

So here is my foray into a Monstercross tandem for my kiddo and I to do Race2, 947, Crater Cruise, etc. Picked it up at Cash Converters for R2900 and got a free pug cushion and cooldrink lol. 

Everything works. 

Wheels are 700c Jetset with 48 spokes. 

Brakes are Tektro. 

Drivetrain is Sora 2x9. &nbsp

Bike feels solid and decent! Needs a clean but she rolls, she shifts and she stops. 

Anyone have any idea what size tyres I’ll be able to run? - tubeless - not 💯 sure of rim ID but I’m going to guess 18mm, with enough clearance in the current fork which seems to be original? Do I do tubeless with air liner, or slime tubes? 

Bearing in mind I will ultimately change it up to a different fork, 1x drivetrain, disc brakes, flat bar bike, bit by bit as finances allow - but I would like to do the Race2 recce ride this Saturday so need to get tyres that will do the job in the interim (along with putting a shorter stem, new brake pads and a couple of other tweaks). 

It says Peugeot Pro on the frame but I think the model was actually called the Peugeot Competition. 

@NotSoBigBen I’m giving you a hopeful look. 

 

Sjoo .... I only really have experience with converting MTB frames etc. to gravel

Biggest problem I foresee is clearance for bigger tyres, best to post a pic of the space available .... I wouldn't attempt tubeless on those rims myself I must say

Disc brakes on the front no issue by changing the fork... At the back 🤔

Having said that, it'll certainly be great fun for the both of you!

[Wannabe]

I'm busy with my second Monster Cross/Gravel Donkey conversion, this time utilizing a Titan Cruz 29'er frame that has a much more modern/up to date geometry compared to my current build with a mid 2000's vintage Haibike frame.

I must still procure a new BB and Headset and respray the frame (not yet sure what I want to do as far as colors are concerned) I must also decide whether I'm again going the drop bar route, or use a narrowish Mtb flat bar (I can then use the Sram 11spd Mtb group set I have in stock) 

 

[RobynE 🚵‍♀️]

42 minutes ago, NotSoBigBen said:

Biggest problem I foresee is clearance for bigger tyres, best to post a pic of the space available .... I wouldn't attempt tubeless on those rims myself I must say

Disc brakes on the front no issue by changing the fork... At the back 🤔

Having said that, it'll certainly be great fun for the both of you!

I reckon I’ve got maaaaaybe 5mm to play with currently at the front, maybe a touch more at the back - but 30mm will be a lot better than 25 😦  I reckon 😂 

Bit tricky to get the vernier in but here’s the best I can do. 

Reading up last night it seems people go for something like Specialized Roubaix or an urban commuter style tyre, for tandem use on gravel on 18mm internal diameter rims. 

Bearing in mind that yes, this will be a temporary situation as long term the goal will be discs front and back (back will require an adapter attached to the drop out - I saw some online) and probably 650b wheels to run bigger tyres at lower pressures. Loooong term plan 😊 

 

[NotSoBigBen]

9 minutes ago, Wannabe said:

I'm busy with my second Monster Cross/Gravel Donkey conversion, this time utilizing a Titan Cruz 29'er frame that has a much more modern/up to date geometry compared to my current build with a mid 2000's vintage Haibike frame.

I must still procure a new BB and Headset and respray the frame (not yet sure what I want to do as far as colors are concerned) I must also decide whether I'm again going the drop bar route, or use a narrowish Mtb flat bar (I can then use the Sram 11spd Mtb group set I have in stock) 

 

This is in fact one of those frames 👌 

[The Ouzo]

12 hours ago, RobynE 🚵‍♀️ said:

So here is my foray into a Monstercross tandem for my kiddo and I to do Race2, 947, Crater Cruise, etc. Picked it up at Cash Converters for R2900 and got a free pug cushion and cooldrink lol. 

Everything works. 

Wheels are 700c Jetset with 48 spokes. 

Brakes are Tektro. 

Drivetrain is Sora 2x9. &nbsp

Bike feels solid and decent! Needs a clean but she rolls, she shifts and she stops. 

Anyone have any idea what size tyres I’ll be able to run? - tubeless - not 💯 sure of rim ID but I’m going to guess 18mm, with enough clearance in the current fork which seems to be original? Do I do tubeless with air liner, or slime tubes? 

Bearing in mind I will ultimately change it up to a different fork, 1x drivetrain, disc brakes, flat bar bike, bit by bit as finances allow - but I would like to do the Race2 recce ride this Saturday so need to get tyres that will do the job in the interim (along with putting a shorter stem, new brake pads and a couple of other tweaks). 

It says Peugeot Pro on the frame but I think the model was actually called the Peugeot Competition. 

@NotSoBigBen I’m giving you a hopeful look. 

 

that still has timing chips attached to it from the previous owner. Were they that fedup with cycling ?