Drop Bars?

[Enso108]

After getting an old Peugeot road bike with drop bars for my winter ride I decided I'd like to convert my Ridgeback Element hybrid to drop bars.
But I'm not sure if I should convert it or if I'd be better off selling it and buying a road bike, I probably couldn't afford to spend much more than £500 on a new bike. What do you think, has anyone done a conversion?

 

[HLaB]

I done it eventually to my spesh sirrus sports 06 and I'm glad I did, it cost me circa £190 I certainly couldn't have bought a decent road bike for that. The general advice on the forum is its not worth it but for me it was. This is my original thread, oh and I did add travel agents in the end. Separate to this mod over time I've added new wheels, tyres clipless pedals and a carbon seatpost.

Edit: another thread of mine on the results.

 

[Enso108]

Thanks for that, the sirrus looks cool, could be a trip to the LBS on the cards.

 

[RedBike]

A lot depends on why you want drop bars?
I don't think it's worth the effort / cost. Fitting drop bars wont turn your Ridgeback Element wont turn it into a road bike.

Then there's loads of issues with the brakes and the gears.

 

[chris667]

Have you seen
http://www.amazon.com/Origin-Bicycle-Drop-Ends-Black/dp/B0013G6PB8
a real kludge, but some people like them.
I'd think about buying a secondhand road bike if it were me. Old 531 bikes go for rediculously low prices sometimes and most of them would wipe the floor with a hybrid.

 

[Enso108]

How much do you think I could ask for the Element, it's less than a year old and in mint condition? It was £499 new.

 

[chris667]

My friend who works in the bike trade works out secondhand value as 50% of new value, minus £10 per year. This varies a lot, obviously, but it can still be a shock.
Why not keep it as a spare, and put a wanted up here? Always nice to have a spare, it's only when you own more than 20 it's officially an ilness.

 

[RedBike]

How much do you think I could ask for the Element, it's less than a year old and in mint condition? It was £499 new.

It's really hard to value. Your best bet is to keep watching the likes of Ebay to see what similar bikes go for.
http://desc.shop.ebay.co.uk/items/C...rksidZp3286Q2ec0Q2em282?_trksid=p3286.c0.m282

I would try and sell it for £300; but realisticly expect MUCH less.