MTB drop bar conversion

[cyberknight]

I have finally got around to converting my subway to drops.
Bontrager drop bars off flea bay , less than £10
Tektro rl 520 linear aero brake levers £15.99
8 speed/ friction left bar end shifters second hand £8
Bar tape £6.99
Cables , i had in stock
Longer stem as the bars are a really short reach , in stock

I might flip the stem yet as this is the initial set up , all indexed and test ridden

 

[steve50]

Mmmmm, those bar end shifters look like they could be awkward to use on the road, the bike looks a little like a cx.

 

[Yellow Saddle]

I have finally got around to converting my subway to drops.
Bontrager drop bars off flea bay , less than £10
Tektro rl 520 linear aero brake levers £15.99
8 speed/ friction left bar end shifters second hand £8
Bar tape £6.99
Cables , i had in stock
Longer stem as the bars are a really short reach , in stock

I might flip the stem yet as this is the initial set up , all indexed and test ridden
View attachment 122166

I like.
I find drops the most comfortable bars of them all.

 

[cyberknight]

Mmmmm, those bar end shifters look like they could be awkward to use on the road, the bike looks a little like a cx.

Tested the shifters on the road , as the drops are really compact so they are easy enough to reach and certainly more comfy for me than flat bars.

 

[Elswick Cotterpin]

That's nice. Good job; it looks as if it'll go anywhere.

 

[Drago]

Of course, being picky a Subway isn't an MTB.

 

[cyberknight]

Of course, being picky a Subway isn't an MTB.

This is the old 26 " wheeled one , came with semi knobblies so i would call it a MTB, it doesnt need to be a full suss downhill machine to go of road no matter how much the adverts try to convince us that you need suspension to ride anywhere.

 

[coco69]

That looks insane but in a nice way.

 

[cyberknight]

Changed the cassette to an 11-28 today as i found the gaps a bit big on the on 11 -32 , i think i will keep the stem angle because if i drop it lower i might find the shifters harder to reach .

 

[cyberknight]

Rode to work yesterday , maybe 2 minutes faster than when it was stock but obviously on the hills is where it struggles due to its weight.

 

[uphillstruggler]

I've been toying with attempting this with my old ridgeback 604 mountain bike as I find the flat bars uncomfortable now. I hadn't considered bar end shifters as I have sti levers from another bike.

food for thought, cheers

 

[cyberknight]

I've been toying with attempting this with my old ridgeback 604 mountain bike as I find the flat bars uncomfortable now. I hadn't considered bar end shifters as I have sti levers from another bike.

food for thought, cheers

You could use your sti s , you would need a road front mech and you might get the right cable pull for your v brakes (?) with travel adaptors
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Problem-S...e606535&pid=100011&rk=1&rkt=1&sd=400844182645
I find the bar end shifters easy enough to use but im lucky enough to have picked up really compact set of drops .

 

[uphillstruggler]

You could use your sti s , you would need a road front mech and you might get the right cable pull for your v brakes (?) with travel adaptors
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Problem-Solver-Travel-Agent-V-Brake-Adapter-Converter-For-Road-Mountain-BMX/121772332972?_trksid=p2047675.c100011.m1850&_trkparms=aid=222007&algo=SIC.MBE&ao=1&asc=20140107083358&meid=37e6e3a5d2054c8b855a31915e606535&pid=100011&rk=1&rkt=1&sd=400844182645
I find the bar end shifters easy enough to use but im lucky enough to have picked up really compact set of drops .

thanks for posting the link.

I think this may be a long term project so this info is pretty useful. I am actually thinking of new CX wheels to replace the 26 inch so there will be other considerations.

cheers.

 

[cyberknight]

Update ...
Im finding the bars a bit narrow as they are 38s and it looks weird from the cockpit due to the chunkiness of everything else, considering moving to 42s or would bull horns work if i used the shifters ala TT ones at the bul horns ? summat like this with the shifters at the end?

 

[uphillstruggler]

@cyberknight It's been a while since I've been on this thread and my old MTB now looks like this

Strong as an Ox and stubborn too. It doesn't matter how many bikes I have, I still really enjoy riding this.

The brakes need improving and the drivetrain needs tinkering with but I just can't see past it for everyday use.