Converting straight bars to drop bars?

wallplugsocket

Hi all, i have a hybrid ATM and want to switch to a racer to ease back trouble on longer spins. (I've done a few rides on racers and I much prefer the drop bars) just wondering if it's possible to convert the bars? Will have to get new brake levers etc obv but is it possible?

TinyExplosions

It's possible, but generally expensive... you'll need new bars and STI shifters (which are quite expensive). Depending on the brakes, you may need a few gubbins to get the pull right too

coolbeans

I'd say the geometry would be far from optimum too. Buy a proper road bike if you can.

kenmc

depends on the bike you're starting with. I converted an FCR but it's the same frame geometry as the SCR which is the drop bar equivalent. Other bikes may not be so closely aligned to make it worthwhile

langdang

Ya, if it's a Giant you should be flying - Defy/Rapid are the same bike only for bar,shifters and maybe stem.

petethedrummer

langdang wrote: »

Ya, if it's a Giant you should be flying - Defy/Rapid are the same bike only for bar,shifters and maybe stem.

There's a slight difference. The rapid has a longer top tube compared to the equivalent sized Defy. So you'll be reaching more on a converted rapid.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=64399564&postcount=8

blorg

It is very expensive and you don't end up with a racer. Better to sell it and buy a racer if that is what you want.

wallplugsocket

Yeah it's a Giant alright, looks like it'll be a new bike on the cards but it'll have to wait a while til I pay off the ctw on this one!

frant2

I started researching this a few months ago - I was going to convert my old commuter bike into a spare road bike. Mainly to have a second road bike for commuting and winter spins but also so as it would be a good way of learning the basics of how to put a bike together - anyhoo - to get parts including postage that are half decent (second hand or new) seems to cost the same/more as a decent second hand roadbike.

You need: Drop bars, sti levers, cables. Maybe need, saddle, derailleurs, cassette, chainset, clipless pedals, Bike mechanic.
Cheapest place i could find secondhand parts was ebay (Germany or UK) or adverts on this forum is good too.

anyway Ive given up on the pimping option and am just going to buy a second-hand bike - theres good bargains out there.

instinct

not what you asked about but I thought of maybe fitting something along the lines of TT handlbars to get low down on the bike.

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Categories.aspx?CategoryID=1881