Drop bars to flats

[vickster]

For a flat bar bike, having the bars roughly level with the saddle is a good starting point, so that's what I would aim for.

In terms of reach, shorter stems give more direct steering.

I've never tried it, but I suspect flat bars with a long, flat stem like the pro roadies use wouldn't work very well.

Except I have found I need a longer stem as the bars and brakes end up much closer than the hoods with STIs

 

[simongt]

If you go for the flats, putting stubby bar ends on will give you more hand positions. Rather than pay silly money for a ' proper ' pair of stubbies, I bought a pair of cheapo bar ends and simply chopped enough off the ends to do the business. I also added some leftover handlebar foam for a bit of extra comfort.

 

[Ajax Bay]

I own a 2012 Cannondale Caad 8 which I love, and was wondering how problematic it would be to change the set up from drops to flats. . . . my thinking is it will be better to keep the frame, wheels etc and change bars and peripherals rather than buy a new bike?

To be honest, you'd be better off buying a dedicated flat bar that gives you the correct riding position and selling the roadbike, especially if you need to pay someone to do the work

I'm afraid that however much you love the Caad8, I agree with @vickster 's honest counsel. Especially if you are going to pay someone else to do this as opposed to enjoying the conversion as your own project. The posts above have identified all the things which'd need changing and the resale value (if you ever got round to it) of the replaced parts would be low. So you'd end up with a bike where you're having to go some (stem, seatpost, steerer tube length?) to get it right, and even then you may not. And spending serious money getting there. Better to find and test a (flat bar) bike that will allow you to enjoy riding in a position that minimises any discomfort/adverse reaction in your back, and then buy that. Someone else ought to give you decent money for the Caad8, and they can love it too.

 

[NickTB]

I'm starting to think you're correct. I do love the lightness of the Cannondale, but it may be time to start looking for a lightweight flattie...

 

[vickster]

I'm starting to think you're correct. I do love the lightness of the Cannondale, but it may be time to start looking for a lightweight flattie...

There's plenty of choice of 10kg flat bars, if you've got a reasonable budget. Planet X do/did a carbon flatbar for example

My PX is sub 10kg if interested Ad in Classifieds

 

[outlash]

I found a drop bar far more comfortable than flat when I had my herniated discs. You may want to check that flat works for you before you leap.

Good shout, it may be cheaper to find a stem that has more rise and a saddle that'll be comfy with you being more upright before you spend a lot of money on something that might not work.

 

[NickTB]

There's plenty of choice of 10kg flat bars, if you've got a reasonable budget. Planet X do/did a carbon flatbar for example

My PX is sub 10kg if interested Ad in Classifieds

I actually like that, but I'd need to shift my Caad 8 first!

 

[vickster]

Well keep me posted. It's got slightly slippy gears so need to get it looked at and perhaps the chain changed. I'm in no massive hurry to sell

 

[Nibor]

I was struggling with the riding position on my Planet X London road with flat bars due largely to the much more compact cockpit (it makes the frame feel a size smaller) I ended up using a 130mm stem much longer than I would normally I ended up using one of these flipped as my best match and it works rather well

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/deda-zero-100-team-31-7-stem-deda/

 

[mrandmrspoves]

Sticking with what you have you may find a stem riser helps (may need to change front brake cabe if it is too short to accommodate) and is a cheap and easy fix. Another possibility is to add auxiliary (frog leg) top brake levers which make it easier to stay off the drops.

 

[Ajax Bay]

I'm thinking a more upright position would be less of a strain on my back.

As an interim, worth considering flipping the stem (which you can do yourself in 5 minutes) assuming that it's currently on the 'negative' angle. This will lift the bars.