Swap drops for butterflys on my Specialized Tricross

[insurin]

I have a Specialized Tricross Sport 2008 model. For full spec (http://www.specialized.com/gb/gb/bikes/archive/2008/tc/tricrosssporttriple#specs)


I have had this bike second hand since 2009. I use it to commute to work and to tour in Europe every summer.I only ever use the drops when at speed so I can brake.


I want to put butterfly handlebars on. I know this entails some fundamental changes and I am after some pointers. I am totally confused of what is compatible. For example do I have mountain bike gearing so road bike components will not work etc I am hoping to buy the correct parts from ebay and get my LBS to install them. I have only ever changed the cassette and brake pads.


Gears & Brakes


Can I put v brakes or mini v brakes on this frame? I know I’ll need the full shebang as I currently have STI. What do I need to be aware of in terms of what kind or brakes will fit the bike.


I am using STI shifters for the gears so I know they will have go. I was looking at putting those thumb shifters on. Do I need to change the front derailleur or rear derailleur?


As it currently stands, I need a new crank set as its all worn down. I need a new cassette as that is worn down, chain as they go hand in hand.

As I need to renew these devices, now is a good time to take on a project like this as I will be spending money anyway but because I am buying from ebay I need to know I am getting the correct components.


Thanks

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Assuming your bike is identical to that in your link then you have cantilever brakes, which operate based on road bike cable pull ratio. The only thing I can detect in there that is mtb spec is the rear mech, which is immaterial for the present discussion since Shimano road and mtb rear mech cable pull ratios are the same for 9 speed.

As such unless you wish to have a wholesale move to mtb spec (i.e. including switching to mtb front mech and V brakes) then you should get a road chainset and any (mtb or road) 9 speed Shimano or sram cassette you fancy.

Regarding shifters and brake levers, if you stick with road components then these and these are compatible. If you fancy 10 speed these will work with a 10 speed cassette and chain, but do leave the rear mech as is and don't be tempted by a Shimano mtb 10 speed rear mech because it won't be compatible with a road spec shifter.

However if you are unhappy with cantis e.g. then now would be a good time to switch components to mtb spec., and mtb components can be a little cheaper for no obvious reason - for example you can get a pair of Deore shifters for half the price of the Sora above.

 

[Cycleops]

Sounds like you are trying to turn it into a different sort of bike, more of a tourer. As quite a few things are worn and need replacing and changing the rest will be a fairly major/expensive job I would sell it and buy the bike you want.

 

[lpretro1]

it would be best to go and get advice from your LBS on what is needed and buy from them - that way you will get what is needed plus warranty on the parts. If you buy the parts on e-bay LBS may tell you to go away if you ask them to fit them - why should they if you haven't bought from them plus you won't have any warranty.

 

[insurin]

Hi folks, firstly thanks for the input.

RecordAce: I did omit one part of the spec of my bike. It is the front brake. I don't think it's cantilever, its one of these

.whatever they call that and the back brake is cantilever. I am assuming the previous owner changed it. Regarding the brakes, I don't think they are the best especially when I am mainly using the top lever. I want to keep the 11-34t cassette as it's great for getting up hills so 9 speed is fine (does 9 speed mean 9 sprockets on the cassette?). As I understand it, if I throw a butterfly bar on...........

I can whack on the brake levers you posted above and also the shifters without having to change anything else?
If I were to overhaul to MTB components, what would I need to lose, the front derailleur etc.

forgive my ignorance here but all this brake/gear stuff is just a cable being pulled so why all this incompatability?

cyclesops: I like to think of my bike as tourer and it's never let me down. I test rode a Dawes Karakum 2013 last week and it never felt right.

lpretro1: LBS said if I get the parts they will fit them.

thanks

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

Hi folks, firstly thanks for the input.

RecordAce: I did omit one part of the spec of my bike. It is the front brake. I don't think it's cantilever, its one of these

.whatever they call that and the back brake is cantilever. I am assuming the previous owner changed it. Regarding the brakes, I don't think they are the best especially when I am mainly using the top lever. I want to keep the 11-34t cassette as it's great for getting up hills so 9 speed is fine (does 9 speed mean 9 sprockets on the cassette?). As I understand it, if I throw a butterfly bar on...........

I can whack on the brake levers you posted above and also the shifters without having to change anything else?
If I were to overhaul to MTB components, what would I need to lose, the front derailleur etc.

forgive my ignorance here but all this brake/gear stuff is just a cable being pulled so why all this incompatability?

What you show in the photo is called a travel agent, I expect you have one of them up front because you have a set of mtb V brake like that below:

In particular, the distance from pivot to top is roughly 4 times the distance to the pads (and not 2 or 2.5x times)? If that is not the case then please take a photo and post it here.

Road (caliper, cantilever and mini-V brake) and mtb (V brake) cable pull requirements are different. Currently all drop bar sti brifters are designed for road brakes (hence I expect you have a mtb v brake if you have a travel agent, which serves to alter the cable pull ratio). Assuming we are not talking about 10 speed (yes 9 speed is 9 sprockets at the back) then Shimano road and mtb front derailleurs require different cable pull as well as expecting the chainrings to be at slightly different distance from the centre of the frame.

If you go for mtb components in the change you are likely to find the large chainring to be e.g. 44T and slightly smaller than present (giving you a lower top gear).

If you are interested in changing to mtb components, then what you need are:
1) lose the front travel agent
2) replace rear canti with typical mtb v brake
3) typical mtb 9 speed shifters
4) typical mtb brake levers
5) typical mtb front mech (make sure you get the right clamp size for the seat tube)
6) typical mtb chainset and matching bb (pick english thread 68x113mm for the example M442 chainset and M591 front mech)
7) any Shimano or sram 9 speed road or mtb cassette you like
8) any 9 speed chain (kmc or sram better than shimano)
9) bars (making sure you match the stem clamp side, usually 31.8mm or 25.4mm)
10) cables (at the very least because road and mtb brake cables are different)

If you stay with road components you can indeed "whack on the brake levers and also the shifters I linked in my previous post without having to change anything else"

Hope it helps.

 

[insurin]

RecordAce:

That information is fantastic. It's helped me a great deal. I have priced up the items you have linked. I have added components that also need replacing. There is not much difference in the cost between Road Vs MTB. It's getting expensive! My initial thought was to just get the shifters and brake handles you linked too but when I account for the rest, there is not much difference.

Right. I will have to dwell on this for a bit now and see what I should do. At least I am now clear on what direction I can take thanks to your help. My work are about to start C2W again so that's another avenue.

Thanks for the help. I'll report back when a decision has been made.

 

[insurin]

Update:

After the advice about how I can upgrade I decided that the Specialized Sirrus was a good solution. Seeing as it already has a flat bar, I could just swap it for a butterfly. I spotted a Specialized Sirrus Sport 2013 edition (as good as new) on Ebay buy it now £250. I would be spending that on upgrading my current Specialized Tricross so why not get a new bike instead . I know the parts are not as good as that on the Tricross but they can be addressed later on. Unfortunately the seller informed me that the bike had been stolen. I had already paid via Paypal before finding this out. He has refunded the transaction so I am back to square one.

The problem I have now is I want this model and nothing else. I am sure you know the feeling. There are only a few places that actually still sell the 2013 but they want £400.

Does anyone have/know anyone who is selling one or know of a shop that still stocks them.

Thanks