I Turned a $100 Barn Find into the Ultimate Gravel Monster
DIY Mountain Bike
28,874 views
I Turned a $100 Barn Find into the Ultimate Gravel Monster
Can you really build a "pro-level" gravel bike for a fraction of the cost of a new one? Today, I’m taking a legendary 1996 Trek 970—featuring True Temper OX Comp triple-butted steel—and dragging it into the modern era.
This "Resto-Monster" features some Ritchey bars, stem and seatpost, along with a 1x9 drivetrain using a mix of Microshift Sword and Advent components, massive Panaracer Gravel King tires, and a unique mixed-brake setup to handle the transition from 90s MTB to modern gravel machine.
📊 Build Specs & Cost Breakdown
I managed to keep the out-of-pocket costs low by raiding my parts bin, but here is exactly what this build would cost to replicate:
New Purchases ($377 total):
Bike (1996 Trek 970): $100
Microshift Sword 9 Shifters: $75
Panaracer Gravel King Tires: $120
Generic Amazon Rigid Fork: $54
Tektro Mini V-Brake: $20
Yellow Paint (Fork Hack): $8
Parts Bin / Components I Had ($345 total):
Cockpit: Ritchey Comp Ergomax Bar ($65), Stem ($25), and Tape ($15)
Drivetrain: Microshift Advent 9 Derailleur ($45) and Cassette ($65)
Wheels: Aliexpress Rim/Disc Compatible Wheelset ($120)
Seating: Ritchey Seatpost ($25) and WTB Volt Saddle ($45)
Extras: Crank Brothers Chester Pedals ($35), Tektro Disc Brake ($5), Rear V-Brake ($20), and Cables ($10)
Total Project Value: $722
#Trek970, #MonsterGravel, #MicroshiftSword
#GravelBike, #VintageMTB, #Restomod, #BikeBuild, #26inchGravel, #SteelIsReal, #TrueTemper, #Panaracer, #GravelKing, #RitcheyLogic, #DIYMountainBike, #BarnFind, #Cycling, #BikeRestoration, #BudgetBuild
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I only recommend items I actually OWN and use. The links above may provide a small advertising commission at no added cost to you.
20 Comments
I just need to cut out the chainstay bracket (up near the bottom bracket) and re-weld it an inch forward. This would allow me to fit 700c easily.
Im doing a full disk brake conversation as well... the rear I will be using one of those bolted on kits... while test fitting, it worked perfectly. I may weld it on later.
I need to re-visit this project, it's been sitting in the attic for some years now.
It was the first mountain bike I ever bought with my own money, and I kind of want to keep it around to live as something else.... gravel bike fits it perfectly since the steel frames are all the rage for this again.
Nice work, very inspiring!
In fact this is one of the most beautiful bicycles I ever saw! For some reason everything matches!
I Turned a $100 Barn Find into the Ultimate Gravel Monster
DIY Mountain Bike
28,874 views
I Turned a $100 Barn Find into the Ultimate Gravel Monster
Can you really build a "pro-level" gravel bike for a fraction of the cost of a new one? Today, I’m taking a legendary 1996 Trek 970—featuring True Temper OX Comp triple-butted steel—and dragging it into the modern era.
This "Resto-Monster" features some Ritchey bars, stem and seatpost, along with a 1x9 drivetrain using a mix of Microshift Sword and Advent components, massive Panaracer Gravel King tires, and a unique mixed-brake setup to handle the transition from 90s MTB to modern gravel machine.
📊 Build Specs & Cost Breakdown
I managed to keep the out-of-pocket costs low by raiding my parts bin, but here is exactly what this build would cost to replicate:
New Purchases ($377 total):
Bike (1996 Trek 970): $100
Microshift Sword 9 Shifters: $75
Panaracer Gravel King Tires: $120
Generic Amazon Rigid Fork: $54
Tektro Mini V-Brake: $20
Yellow Paint (Fork Hack): $8
Parts Bin / Components I Had ($345 total):
Cockpit: Ritchey Comp Ergomax Bar ($65), Stem ($25), and Tape ($15)
Drivetrain: Microshift Advent 9 Derailleur ($45) and Cassette ($65)
Wheels: Aliexpress Rim/Disc Compatible Wheelset ($120)
Seating: Ritchey Seatpost ($25) and WTB Volt Saddle ($45)
Extras: Crank Brothers Chester Pedals ($35), Tektro Disc Brake ($5), Rear V-Brake ($20), and Cables ($10)
Total Project Value: $722
#Trek970, #MonsterGravel, #MicroshiftSword
#GravelBike, #VintageMTB, #Restomod, #BikeBuild, #26inchGravel, #SteelIsReal, #TrueTemper, #Panaracer, #GravelKing, #RitcheyLogic, #DIYMountainBike, #BarnFind, #Cycling, #BikeRestoration, #BudgetBuild
*************************************************************************
I only recommend items I actually OWN and use. The links above may provide a small advertising commission at no added cost to you.