Flat bars to drop bars on tourer

[All uphill]

I love my self built steel 1990s tourer and fancy trying it with drop bars and bar end shifters.

I'm confident I understand the technicalities of the conversion, just wondered what difference there is likely to be riding? Much more stretched out? The bike is at the small end of my comfortable size range, so that would probably be a good thing.

Ad placed in the CC wants for bars, shifters and brakes.

 

[iluvmybike]

More choice of hand positions than flat bars - but prob need bit of time to adapt to new positions

 

[Vantage]

Depending on the length of your current stem, you'll be wanting a shorter one. You might find your steering a little more twitchy at first.
I went the other way a few years ago, from drops to flats. I found I was standing on the pedals more when setting off so it's possible you find yourself seated more often. Maybe not.
I went back to drops not long after. Too settled in my ways I guess

 

[Oldhippy]

Have you considered butterfly bars?

 

[All uphill]

Have you considered butterfly bars?

I have, and will have another think at your prompting. Thanks

 

[Oldhippy]

I have found they are great for all things myself. I have converted most bikes I've had to butterfly bars.

 

[OldShep]

Have you considered Geoff bars?
All your existing levers will fit and, if set right, you’ll end up with a spot just like sitting On the hoods

 

[Mburton1993]

I have found they are great for all things myself. I have converted most bikes I've had to butterfly bars.

I'd second that, I've gone from drop downs to flat to butterfly and now pursuit. Butterflies are good.

 

[Vantage]

Have you considered Geoff bars?
All your existing levers will fit and, if set right, you’ll end up with a spot just like sitting On the hoods

Won't Geoff be upset that @All uphill nicked his bars?

 

[All uphill]

Thanks for the advice.

With drop bars from @DCBassman and other bits from eBay my 1994 Marin Stinson now has drop bars and bar end shifters.

I've ridden 35 miles on it this morning and identified a need to slightly tilt the saddle forwards, otherwise it is as comfortable as ever, maybe more so. The bar end shifters are a revelation!

Any similarity to the bikes of @Andy in Germany and @Vantage is purely coincidental. Honestly.

 

[DCBassman]

Very nice!

 

[HobbesOnTour]

Enjoy!

Now.... Where are the two of you going to go?

 

[Vantage]

Beautiful rig there @All uphill

 

[All uphill]

Enjoy!

Now.... Where are the two of you going to go?

I have a place on the Harwich to Hoek van Holland ferry in May 2021.

Before then it's likely to be more rides around Somerset, Devon and Dorset.

 

[HobbesOnTour]

Holland's great - but you won't be using those bar-end shifters much!

Enjoy!