Drop bar conversion - advice please

[redjedi]

Just need them wheels & the stem to arrive now... oh and my BB tool.

What's that holding up your bars then?

 

[redjedi]

Sittingduck -

What cutters did you use for the cables and housing?

Did you get proper cutters or just use standard wire cutters?

 

[Sittingduck]

Well I have only done the front brake cable housing so far and kind of bodged that . I used wire cutters that look likt this: http://mactackle.com/secureshopping/images/mustad_7inch_heavy_duty_wire_cutters.jpg


The Stem that's in the pic is the 130mm jobbie that came with the frame and forks. Currently on eBay though as I know its too long for me.

If anyone has any good tips for the neatest way to cut cable casings please do share them

Cheers
SD

 

[Amanda P]

I use a pair of mini bolt croppers that I got from B&Q a couple of years back.

Not unlike these.

Wire cutters will do for brake cables, but gear cables are tough!

 

[HLaB]

I'm now in possession one set of Veloce Ultra shift levers and a new rear derailleur.

I want to put them on now, but I haven't got the bars yet

I've decided to get the bars, tape and tools from my LBS. Always good to throw a bit of money their way, and they might be willing to help me with the fine tuning.

I'm also going to take a monday off so I've got time to fit them over a weekend and then take it for a test run on Monday.

Sounds good rejedi; I purchased most of my parts from a lbs so I had somebody to fall back on if things went wrong, which is a good thing because I managed to snap some bolts

 

[gwhite]

Well I have only done the front brake cable housing so far and kind of bodged that . I used wire cutters that look likt this: http://mactackle.com/secureshopping/images/mustad_7inch_heavy_duty_wire_cutters.jpg
If anyone has any good tips for the neatest way to cut cable casings please do share them

Cheers
SD

By far the best way is to use a cutting disc on a Dremmel-type tool. This give a clean cut and does not compress the outer.

 

[andrew_s]

Proper cable cutters work like scissors, with inward curving jaws. This avoids squashing the cable flat before it cuts, as happens when using pliers, side cutters etc.
eg
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/p/Cycle/7/LifeLine_Cable_And_Housing_Cutters/5360031490/
http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=3971

 

[redjedi]

My conversion is complete. It took me most of the weekend to finish, but I took my time and triple checked everything.

The 10sp Campag shifter works fine with the 8 speed cassette and 9 speed Shimano rear derailleur, and it works alright with the front drl but I think that is the fault of the dlr not the shifter, that is on my next list of things to do ( which reminds me, I must get a never ending piece of paper to right this list on )

Here are the defore and after pics.

Before

After

Finished putting on the tape this morning, which I messed up somewhere. I think I wrapped the left handle the wrong way, and my finishing could do with some work. But I only used a cheap roll because I knew it would take a couple of attempts to get it right.

I think I may need a shorter stem. It's got a 110mm on at the moment and I may go down to a 80/90mm and a bigger angle.
I'll give it a few weeks before I do that so I can get used to the new position.

Being a glorious afternoon that it was I had to take her for a run out.
First I dived into Syon Park just so I could give all the gears a good test, then headed down to Richmond park where I saw plenty of deer and enjoyed the sun.

I also hit my fastest speed of 34mph

The rear shifting is so smooth and quiet I sometimes have to double check I have actually changed gear , hopefully the front will work as well soon.

I'll need to take it easy on the commute tomorrow, because I found it a bit twitchy when I stood up and peddled, but it has been at least 15 years since I rode drop bars.

Now I've got to get training for the CC ride at the beginning of April.....100 miles

 

[HLaB]

Looks good redjedi

 

[Amanda P]

Very nice. Glad to hear it works.

That bike didn't look right to me with flat bars; I think you've done the right thing.

(Pity about the threadless headset, but don't let's get started on that...)