would you convert this to drops?

[GazK]

I'm fairly happy with my hybrid hack / commute / fitness bike - see:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/45306032@N04/sets/72157623713059524

but I'm finding the flat bars are causing aches on longer (10m+) rides - I feel the need to have my wrists facing inwards. I don't have the funds to move to a drop bar bike in the forseeable future, and the bar ends are spread too wide, so I was considering changing the front end for drops, perhaps in conjunction with a cheap carbon fork to smooth the harsh ally frame. The bike runs V brakes so it will be a bit of a faff, but I enjoy engineering challenges.

Is this a good idea or am I throwing good money after bad?

 

[Tynan]

the bars might be too low, putting too much weight onto your hands, ot the bike might be too short, ten miles ins't very far to be getting serious discomfort

 

[GrasB]

Looking at that stem you can probably get away with drops, though you could try bullhorn (or aero base) bars which would let you try out different hand positions without replacing leavers/shifters.

 

[HLaB]

I converted my Sirrus to drops, it didn't cost too much but v brakes and sti's are not great together even with travel agents . Having been through that, I think I'd save up for a dropped bar road bike in your case.

 

[HJ]

HLaB are you sure you have the right link there?

 

[HLaB]

HLaB are you sure you have the right link there?

Oop sorry, it sorted now I think

 

[longers]

You could chop the bars down a bit first Gaz and try that for a while before spending any money.

 

[RecordAceFromNew]

In addition to the suggestions above, in case you have not considered it already have you tried moving the saddle forward/backward just a little, or trying an adjustable stem? Both can make a big difference to the pressure on one's hands.

If harshness of the frame/fork is the main culprit, changing your current tyres to something like the Schwalbe Big Apple may actually be the most effective solution (albeit with some weight/speed penalty if you are running narrow slicks at very high pressure).

 

[Globalti]

Specialized Roubaix is another comfort tyre.

Or buy an Orbea, one of the cheapest full carbon frames on the market.

 

[mr_hippo]

Have you thought about butterfly bars?

I'm very happy with mine.

 

[GazK]

the bars might be too low, putting too much weight onto your hands, ot the bike might be too short, ten miles ins't very far to be getting serious discomfort

I think probably the stem is too long - I don't think the bike was well thought out, the rider position is quite roadish (with the long stem) but this isn't compatible with bent wrists. I like riding fast so I would rather solve the wrist problem by providing proper bars than pull the flat bars back to give a more upright position.

 

[GazK]

Looking at that stem you can probably get away with drops, though you could try bullhorn (or aero base) bars which would let you try out different hand positions without replacing leavers/shifters.

Unfortunately my levers and shifters are single units. I understand your point that aero bars would allow me to keep these - presumably the curve of drop bars means my existing brifters couldnt be fitted? Also, I wouldn't have any hoods to hang on.

 

[GazK]

I converted my Sirrus to drops, it didn't cost too much but v brakes and sti's are not great together even with travel agents . Having been through that, I think I'd save up for a dropped bar road bike in your case.

I was thinking of using Dia-Compe levers, which are compatible with Vees. I have heard a few people say travel agents are less than perfect, so I would prefer to avoid them.

Your comment about saving up for a road bike is very sensible - far too sensible in fact. Need new toys now!

 

[GazK]

In addition to the suggestions above, in case you have not considered it already have you tried moving the saddle forward/backward just a little, or trying an adjustable stem? Both can make a big difference to the pressure on one's hands.

If harshness of the frame/fork is the main culprit, changing your current tyres to something like the Schwalbe Big Apple may actually be the most effective solution (albeit with some weight/speed penalty if you are running narrow slicks at very high pressure).

I'm certainly going to switch back to my 28s from the current 23s. That should help. I will try the saddle idea, and I will need a shorter stem if I go dropped, so maybe I should buy that first and try it out. I don't fancy an adjustable stem because I don't want the ride too upright, and adjustables achieve a shorter reach by lifting the bars. They are also fugly (IMHO).

 

[GazK]

Specialized Roubaix is another comfort tyre.

Or buy an Orbea, one of the cheapest full carbon frames on the market.

Ha ha! cheapest I found on a quick lookup was £899. If I had that kind of money I would be down the LBS now for a spesh allez or tricross and this thread would not exist! To put it in context, a drop conversion is coming out about £100-£150 depending on how I solve the shifter conundrum. I can manage that but I will have to justify it to my finance manager (on health and safety grounds of course).