1996 Litespeed Obed F/S build — gravel/xbike conversion ideas?
Picked up this ‘96 Litespeed Obed FS titanium build for $700 yesterday and trying to figure out what direction to take it. AMP rear suspension, Risse shock, Markhor fork, 12 speed NX Eagle, XT brakes. Currently about 28 lbs. Front disc brake and rear rim brake.
My background is mostly road/tt bikes, so right now the cockpit feels very upright and short compared to what I’m used to.
Planning to:
slam the stem, run carbon corner-bar/alt-drop style bars, switch to fast fire-road/gravel tires (thinking Race Kings or Rene Herse), probably go 40T or 42T chainring
Main use would be:
SoCal fire roads, rolling gravel, mellow trails, long “adventure ride” type stuff
Debating:
keep suspension fork vs rigid carbon fork
true drop-bar mullet setup eventually?
second lightweight wheelset for gravel duty and keep the current wheelset for chunkier tires?
Curious what direction you’d take this build if it were yours. Also interested in fit/cockpit recommendations from anyone who’s converted older XC bikes to more gravel-ish setups.
First foray into gravel/mountain bikes from many years on the road so any input is appreciated.