iv got a flat bar hybrid (Land Rover commute1.9)and would like to fit drops ,il obviously need new brifters at present it has v brakes and shimano trigger shifters , is it just a matter of fitting shifters for a triple (and drop bars obv ) or realistically is it too much hassle , the London rd is reduced and this is an option ( it's got discs too which is an upgrade ( bb7) so my question is upgrade or a new bike ( don't just say new bike lol iv got 5 at present in a one bed flat) via spent a few quid On my way! the flat bar it's got good tyres ,new bb and stuff and it's basically a good running bike if a bit heavy
Flat bar conversion
- Thread starter jim55
- Start date
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steve50
Disenchanted Member
- Location
- West Yorkshire
There are quite a number of us on cc who have converted various bikes to drops including mtb's, if thats what you want to do go for it, you will probably need a new stem as fitting drops on the current stem will increase the reach.
U
User6179
Guest
I went the other way changing from drops to straights for my winter bike, was fairly straight forward , think you need brifters and new cables , handlebars that fit the stem and bar tap
.
An alternative between drops and straight bars is the bull bar which lets you keep current brakes and shifters but gives you the same position as being on the hoods on drop bars , you can get long ones that put you in the same aero position as being on the drops .
I rem reading that some brakes are not compatible , something about cable pull from drop bar levers ,I think re the shifting it'll b quite easy but it's the brakes I'm thinking about ,I've actually got a pair of bullhorns but using them will make it quite an untidy conversion with cables all over the place and I just think drops look better lol
U
User6179
Guest
I think you may need mini v brakes with the brifters , someone else should know , I have canti brakes with 105 brifters on my CX and the braking is between average to bad depending on the how wet it is .
Another thing I noticed ,,I had the bar/stem/levers off and the hole where the stem goes ( steerer tube )is oversize , far bigger than a quill stem .
The headset that's on it is kinda old style like a thread on the fork steerer and a big nut on top , so the tube doesn't protrude above the top cap/nut, can the stem b changed its an adjustable angle thing and looks rubbish
The headset that's on it is kinda old style like a thread on the fork steerer and a big nut on top , so the tube doesn't protrude above the top cap/nut, can the stem b changed its an adjustable angle thing and looks rubbish
HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
They aren't perfectly compatible but you can get a OK compatibility with Problem Solvers Travel Agents thats what I used when I converted the Sirrus.
I'm not sure about the Quil stem though the Sirrus had an ahead stem.
Ajax Bay
Guru
- Location
- East Devon
Yes. With the money you will have to spend on all the new conversion items, you'd be better (off) buying a secondhand bike which met your requirements. Your hybrid bike should sell well to offset the cost. Compare this with having (as residue after conversion) a whole load of (ex-hybrid) components that will likely not get used and have low resale value. Of course this'd be doing you out of a 'project' and that may be important to you.
If it had drop bars it'd b perfect
I put it for sale a while ago for 100 and all I got was timewasters offering 20 and the like ,iv spent a few quid on it and is a good bombproof commuter with an old brooks ergo grips 36 h rims rack 21 gears ( that work perfect btw )new v brakes and hyper voyager tyres ,we all like a bargain but cmon it was well worth it , I've got too many bikes but I want a new one lol
