“I do suspect that [this bicycle] is not really necessary to my happiness.” ― Jane Austen, Emma
Alteration and renovation of a 1992 Bridgestone MB-1 mountain bicycle, adapted to fully embrace comfortable, long-distance riding on varied road surfaces, but still retaining its off-road capability. The frame was manufactured October of 1991 by Bridgestone, Japan, for the 1992 model year.
Background
The Bridgestone MB-1 was the top-of-the-line mountain bicycle from Bridgestone. It was built with custom-drawn Tange Prestige tubing (Ritchey Logic), with SunTour forged dropouts and investment-cast fork ends. The 1992 model year was built with a unicrown fork.
This one-owner (this me) Bridgestone MB-1 bicycle was purchased new in 1992 from Grand Performance bicycle shop (sadly, now closed), Saint Paul, Minnesota. The original color was Pearl Tusk. From the beginning, it was outfitted with an Alsop SoftRide suspension stem (although I retained the OEM Ritchey/Nitto stem, too) and the stock mostly SunTour and Ritchey components, until it was refitted with Shimano XT components and new wheels in September of 2001. At that time, the frame and fork were repainted in DuPont Imron metallic grape polyurethane. The bicycle was therefore later dubbed “Grape Soda”.
Grape Soda was ridden off-road until around 2008, when I recognized my lack of interest in actual mountain biking on (boulder-) rock-strewn trails. After that, Grape Soda became an occasional bicycle, fitted with Schwalbe city tires and ridden as a commuter.
In 2019, it was refitted as a dedicated commuter bicycle, with porteur handlebars and René Herse Rat Trap Pass tires. Those tires changed the entire riding experience. Suddenly, twenty-seven years after it was born, this always nimble, but slow, mountain bike/commuter bike felt like a thoroughbred racing bicycle; a racing bicycle that soaked up pot holes, ignored road debris, and climbed like a really fast mountain goat on caffeine. Not only had the wheels shed a pound, each, but the road traction and suppleness were distinctly noticeable.
At the end of 2024, I had been getting back into long-distance riding and Grape Soda had sat for nearly the whole year without being ridden. Rather than building a new randonneuring frame, I decided to renovate Grape Soda and give it a new purpose so the next thirty-three years of its life (and mine) would be filled with fun.
Renovation
Renovation of the frame was straight-forward. The frame was stripped of parts and paint. Changes made to the frame and fork were minor: threaded bosses were attached to the fork blades for a front rack, the seat binder was replaced with a more svelt road-style seat binder; one of my extra, handmade front racks was adapted to fit the fork.
The frame and fork were given the usual zinc-phosphate rust inhibitor treatment before the frame was powder-coated in purple/pink with a clear-coat.
After powder-coating, graphics were placed: “Grape Soda” in white lettering on the top tube, white “Bridgestone” lettering on the down tube, white “MB-1” lettering on the seat tube; black and white Bridgestone “B” on the head tube; happy bunny dry transfer on the down tube denoting a renovated frame. A two-part clear-coat was sprayed over the dry transfers and decals.
Assembly
Most of the old parts were refitted, getting a complete overhaul before being used again. Paul Wyganowski trued the wheels and made them like new.
Reconfiguring the bicycle from mountain bicycle to randonneuring bicycle required some changes: for comfort, I fitted a Brooks C17 rubber saddle from my parts stash; the city commuter platform pedals with toe clips were replaced by some well-maintained Dura-Ace road pedals; new brake shoes and pads were fitted to the brakes; a new 12-36T, ten-cog cassette matched to the 24/34/44T chainrings for ultra-low gearing. Steering controls were the most significant change: Dura-Ace bar-end shifters, handlebars, stem, Paul Cross in-line brake levers (pivots set for V-brakes), Dia-Compe V-brake-compatible road brake levers, Velo-Orange rubber handlebar tape, Velox rubber bar plugs, and a brass bell completed the changes.
| Part | Description |
|---|---|
| Bell | Rockbros - brass |
| Headset | Shimano Dura-Ace (HP-7410) - Al alloy, silver, 1", threaded |
| Stem | Nitto Technomic Deluxe - Al alloy, 60mm (65mm) x 26.0mm, silver |
| Handlebar shim | Nitto - stainless |
| Handlebars | René Herse (Nitto) Randonneur - Al alloy, 46cm/43cm x 25.4mm, silver |
| Handlebar tape | Velo-Orange Rubbery Bar Tape - silicone/PU, black |
| Handlebar ends | Velox - rubber, black |
| Seatpost | Ritchey Logic WCS - Al alloy, black, 27.2mm, set-back |
| Saddle | Brooks Cambium (C17) - rubber/Al/Fe alloy, black |
| Brakes | Shimano XT (M750) - Al alloy, V-brake, black |
| Brake cable | Shimano stainless |
| Brake cable housing | Shimano SLR - Fe alloy/plastic, grey |
| Brake levers | Dia-Compe 287V - Al alloy, silver, long-pull (V-brake) |
| Brake levers | Paul Cross - Al alloy, black, long-pull |
| Shift levers | Shimano Dura-Ace (SL-BS78) - Al alloy, silver, bar-end, 10-speed indexed |
| Shift cables | Shimano - stainless |
| Shift cable housing | Shimano SIS - Fe alloy/plastic, grey |
| Dérailleur – front | Shimano XT (FD-M750) - Al/Fe, clamp-on, silver/black |
| Dérailleur – rear | Shimano Deore (RD-M591) - Al alloy, black, long cage |
| Bottom bracket | Shimano XT (ES-70) - SS, 113mm, OctaLink, silver |
| Crankset | Shimano XT (FC-M751) - Al alloy, 180mm, silver/black |
| Chainwheel | Shimano XT (FC-M751) - Al alloy, 44-tooth, black |
| Chainwheel | Shimano XT (FC-M751) - Al alloy, 34-tooth, black |
| Chainwheel | Shimano XT (FC-M751) - Al alloy, 24-tooth, black |
| Chainwheel bolts | Shimano XT - Fe alloy, black |
| Pedals | Shimano - (PD-7810) - Al alloy, silver/grey |
| Chain | Wipperman Connex (10S0) - Fe alloy, 3/32", silver |
| Hub – front | Shimano XT (HB-M751) - Al alloy, 36-hole, silver |
| Hub – rear | Shimano XT (FH-M751) - Al alloy, 36-hole, silver |
| Cassette | Shimano Ultegra (CS-6600) - Fe alloy, light gold, 12-36T, 10-cog |
| Rims | Mavic M517 - Al alloy, 36-hole, 26" x 19mm, black |
| Rim tape | 3M - plastic, 13mm, beige |
| Tires | René Herse Rat Trap Pass - rubber/nylon, black, 26" x 2.3" (55mm) |
| Inner tubes | Continental - butyl, black, 26" x 2.3", Presta valve |
| Spokes | DT Swiss Champion - stainless, 14ga., silver, 3x lacing |
| Water bottle cages | Velo-Orange Moderniste - SS, polished |
Of course, right after I took these photos, the bike fell over on concrete and scraped up the brand-new, beautiful brake levers. Nothing else was damaged. I’m still crying on the inside.
Afterward
It still rides like a trail/mountain bike, despite the changes. Comfortable, fast, sure-footed, highly maneuverable. It takes concentration and effort to keep it going in a straight line for hours on end. For randonneuring, you must pay attention or you may end up in a ditch. It’s not perfect for randonneuring, but the comfort and all-road capability are worth the requirement of unflinching attentiveness.
It is certainly fun on gravel and trails, much more so than when it was equipped with heavy knobby tires. Sadly, I don’t ride it very often.
If you want this bicycle, send me an e-mail with a reasonable offer. Saddle and pedals not included. Shipping costs not included. If you are in the Minneapolis/Saint Paul area, this bicycle is available for pick-up or (free) delivery.
Postscript
Do you have a treasured bicycle that needs repair, alteration, renovation, or restoration? Well, you can contact this grumpy frame builder to have it done well and with great care.