Switching a Flatbar for Drops?

[Adasta]

Right, here's a pic of my bike. Well, not my bike, but the same model.

What are my options for switching the flatbar for drops? I've never ridden with drops and I'd like to try it out. Essentially, I'd like to know:

• Do you think it's a good idea (or is it simply personal choice)?
• What would I have to do (processes, equipment, etc.)
• Can you recommend me any good drops?

Cheers!

 

[Zoiders]

It will work out cheaper to get a second hand road bike unless you want to convert it to single speed.

Also, you may often find the top tube is far too long for drop conversion to work well.

 

[Banjo]

+1 to Zoiders post. It will cost a lot to convert it and thje bike wasnt designed for drops.

 

[HLaB]

I converted my Sirrus to drops but that was a flat bar road bike to start with, so I had no geometry issues/ gearing issues. I think you'd have issues with that frame. The other word of caution I'd have is regards to the brakes (sti's don't pull enough cable for vee's) it can be overcome in part with problem solver travel agents and mini v brakes but it still isn't perfect. Like zoider's say you'll be better off buying a specific road bike.

 

[mcshroom]

Probably better off buying a road bike. If you want a quick feel of drops then there are drop-bar bar ends around, but they would put you well away from the barke levers.

 

[HLaB]

Probably better off buying a road bike. If you want a quick feel of drops then there are drop-bar bar ends around, but they would put you well away from the barke levers.

Oooh, even if you sorted out the brakes as per the SJS picture the'd feel horrible.

My Hybrid bars are 60cm and my road bike bars are 40cm!

 

[TheDoctor]

No offence meant, but it's simply not worth it. The kit to do it would cost more than your bike cost.

 

[lip03]

i am looking to do the opposite. currently riding a 70's road bike with drops and i want flats for comfort mostly (i just dont get on with drops) anyone know of any good flats that aint too pricey??

 

[Zoiders]

I converted my Sirrus to drops but that was a flat bar road bike to start with, so I had no geometry issues/ gearing issues. I think you'd have issues with that frame. The other word of caution I'd have is regards to the brakes (sti's don't pull enough cable for vee's) it can be overcome in part with problem solver travel agents and mini v brakes but it still isn't perfect. Like zoider's say you'll be better off buying a specific road bike.

How short a stem did you end up using on the Sirrus to reduce the reach?

If you have to go too short it all gets a bit wibbly.

 

[TheDoctor]

i am looking to do the opposite. currently riding a 70's road bike with drops and i want flats for comfort mostly (i just dont get on with drops) anyone know of any good flats that aint too pricey??

Now that's easier. I personally would go with Gripshifters for the gears, and MTB brake levers for the brakes. You'll need canti brake levers, not V-brake.

 

[HLaB]

How short a stem did you end up using on the Sirrus to reduce the reach?

If you have to go too short it all gets a bit wibbly.

Its a 110mm, iirc the old one was 120mm

 

[Twizit]

I'd echo all of the above in terms of cost of changing from flat to drop bars.

I started on a Trek 7.5FX but found it too harsh a ride and even with bar ends on there wasn't enough variation of riding position.

Selling on eBay managed to get a good enough price to make it not too expensive to change. Now on a Specialized Secteur.

Bottom line though - just go and try lots of different bikes from your local dealer. No cost, and you'll be able to figure out what you're really comfortable riding.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

i am looking to do the opposite. currently riding a 70's road bike with drops and i want flats for comfort mostly (i just dont get on with drops) anyone know of any good flats that aint too pricey??

You options are dependent on what brakes, shifters, derailleurs and rear hub you have.


If you have downtube or stem mounted shifters and have road caliper brakes at the moment and not bothered about having brifters, all you need to do is to ensure you get a flat bar that is the right size at the stem depending on what stem you have and 22.2mm at the grip for a pair of road brake levers for flat mtb bars.

If you have a modern freehub and mechs already, then Shimano R221 road brifters for flat bars are available for 8 speed cassettes and double or triple chainsets, they can be switched for V, canti as well as standard road caliper brakes. At around £28 a pair at CRC currently, they are probably the best valued integrated sti under the sun. If you have triple chainset with road front mech you will need to replace the front mech.

 

[Zoiders]

Or you could go to the bike jumble and get some old thumb shifters and canti levers, you can switch the front shifter indexing off, some are not even indexed and have a fine toothed ratchet - that means you can leave the front mech in place.

You local recycling project is probably a better bet than looking for new parts.

This bypasses the problem of what groupset you have quite neatly, only the rear shifter has to be correct and thats not so essential with older 5/6/7 speed bikes either as shifting is pretty clunky with room for error.

 

[2Loose]

Adasta, meet Carbon (opposite desire)