A few of our body of workers (myself incorporated), were reigniting our love for the 26″ Mountain Motorcycle. With maximum riders now choosing a 29er or Gravel motorcycle for off street driving or commuting, it’s a rarer sight to look a 26″ in this day and age… We made up our minds to mud the cobwebs off ours and provides them slightly fashionable aptitude and a smartly deserved love (and a far wanted provider in fact)!
Let’s get started by way of having a look at some ‘bikespiration’, right here’s a few of Merlin Cycles’ body of workers owned 26″ commuters.
Pictured Above: Rob’s 90s GT with Moto Bars, Cloth Saddle, Billy Bonkers 26″ Tyres, Carbon Forks, 1x Chainring. Rob created this ‘Frankenbike’ after being given the body by way of Mike in our returns division. He now makes use of it as a commuter and weekend motorcycle, taking part in rides alongside the Guild Wheel in Preston! “It’s a pleasure to journey and I’ve truly had a blast hanging this motorcycle in combination.”
Pictured Above: My Merlin Malt 2, that includes Cannondale Carbon Bars, Raceface Stem, 1x Chainring and Billy Bonkers 26″ Tyres. This motorcycle used to be given to me by way of my dad and I made up our minds to make it right into a commuter/cruiser for my leisurely ‘restoration’ rides and journeys to the espresso store. It’s a truly comfortable journey and the broad bars I added simply really feel refreshing in comparison to my drop bars at the gravel motorcycle I generally gravitate to.
Pictured Above: Joe’s US Made (very uncommon) Rock Lobster 26″, that includes Chris King Headset, Kenda Tyres (easiest for gravelling), 1x Chainring, Thomson Syncros bars and Thomson Elite Stem, XT Groupset. Joe purchased this motorcycle to make use of for gravel adventures and reminiscent of the vintage roots of Merlin Cycles and the Rock Lobster vary from the 90s! Because of too many motorcycles in his assortment (if that’s truly conceivable) he’s taking a look to promote it someday quickly… Drop us a message if you wish to make him an be offering (don’t wait too lengthy, a Lobster on this shocking situation is snapped up briefly)!
On this information, we’ll discover how to reach a identical transformation, from including unique options like “Billy Bonkers” tyres and broad fashionable handlebars to optimizing your motorcycle for city adventures. Get able to show heads as you cruise throughout the streets in taste! After all you’ll be able to upload as little or many upgrades on your motorcycle as you prefer…
1. Improve Your Tires: “Billy Bonkers” The entire Means:
Get started your transformation by way of swapping out your conventional mountain motorcycle tires for the original Billy Bonkers tyres. Those speedy rolling, filth bounce motorcycle tyres now not handiest upload a playful unfashionable vibe but in addition supply superb traction and balance, making them easiest for city driving. To be had in each black and tan wall!
2. Huge Handlebars and Grips for Convenience:
Change your slender mountain motorcycle handlebars with wider ones to create a extra relaxed and upright driving place. Pair them with ergonomic grips that provide a relaxed and protected grasp all through your rides.
My Merlin Malt 2 has Cannondale HollowGram SAVE Carbon Riser Handlebars which I believe truly replace the glance of the motorcycle and simply upload to that broad bar cruiser motorcycle really feel. The grips additionally wanted a refresh as that they had noticed a ways higher days, so I opted for a couple of Token Lock on Grips in gold.
Rob’s red bars had been taken from an outdated Bike within the storage! So that you don’t at all times must spend further to get that distinctive flare of a considered one of a sort cruiser motorcycle! It could be value asking round or seeing what outdated motorcycles members of the family or buddies have tucked away of their lawn shed…
3. Embody the Simplicity of a 1x Chainring:
Switch to a 1x chainring setup with a chainring of your selection to fit your desired driving taste and your elevation achieve. This variation simplifies your motorcycle’s drivetrain, lowering upkeep and making a cleaner aesthetic. You’ll admire the benefit of moving and the improved chain retention.
To find our complete vary of MTB chainrings right here.
4. Puncture-Resistant Interior Tubes for Peace of Thoughts:
On your city adventures, set up puncture-resistant internal tubes to scale back the chance of apartments. Those tubes are designed to resist city or gravel particles and be offering added peace of thoughts all through your commutes. With weight now not being a concern on a cruiser motorcycle you needn’t concern about a couple of further grams for the added coverage.
5. Refresh Your Cockpit: New Stem and Best Cap:
Give your motorcycle a contemporary contact by way of changing the stem with a brand new one that enhances and suits your wider or up to date handlebars. Make a selection a stem period that fits your driving taste and complements your convenience. Whole the improve with a contemporary most sensible cap for a elegant glance. The stem featured this is the Race Face Aeffect 35.
I added a gold most sensible cap to my Malt 2 simply to compare the remainder of the gold improve color scheme. It’s an inexpensive addition that simply finishes off the smooth glance…
6. Go for a Comfy Saddle:
In case your present saddle isn’t as relaxed as you’d like or has noticed higher days… Believe upgrading to a brand new, extra cushioned possibility. A relaxed saddle is the most important for relaxing rides, whether or not you’re heading to the pub or cruising to paintings.
My saddle used to be lots relaxed sufficient however Rob handiest beginning together with his GT body made up our minds to head with a Cloth saddle and he’s very happy with the strengthen it gives at the day-to-day go back and forth “It’s mega comfortable!”. At an inexpensive value and extraordinary convenience you’ll be able to’t cross mistaken with a Cloth Scoop Game Saddle.
To discover our complete vary of MTB Saddles click on right here.
Your Fashionable Unfashionable Pub and Commuter Better half…
With every improve, your 26″ mountain motorcycle transforms right into a one-of-a-kind unfashionable pub and commuter motorcycle that captures consideration anyplace you cross. You’ll be able to choose to customize your motorcycle as little or a lot as you’d like. Merely including Billy Bonkers tyres on your outdated MTB is a recreation changer which would possibly prevent purchasing a hybrid motorcycle.
Will you include the fusion of unfashionable aptitude and fashionable practicality? If this is the case, get able to make cruise in true taste while giving your outdated 26er the find it irresistible merits…
