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Drops conversion on a Giant Rapid 2

2

Comments

  • #32
    Side Show Bob
    Closed Accounts Posts: 981 ✭✭✭Side Show Bob


    Nhudgell wrote: »
    Hi guys, new to the forum and found this thread as it's exactly what I want to do.

    Bought a rapid 3 a while ago and want to convert it to a road bike.

    @side show bob and Dord, can you detail what you did? Also where did you buy your components? How much did it cost? Any advice?

    Thanks!

    I took off all of the groupset, and replaced it with Ultegra 6600 (shifters, front and rear mech) that I got from eBay, I used a controol tech carbon double compact crankset (also from eBay).

    The rapid has fairly crap brakes and because the frame is designed for mudguards you need deep drop brakes which are difficult to get in any better quality than the oned fitted, so probably best left alone.

    The bars I fitted cost €15 and I got them from the adverts forum here,

    I have used my own wheels on it and sold all of the parts I removed and the wheels to cover some of the cost,

    I recently found a very cheep set of carbon forks and have fitted them too which makes it a completely different and more comfortable bike,

    Over all it was not a huge spend and it's a much nicer bike than some of the much more expensive bike that I have bought in the past

    Hope this helps, if you want I can look back trough paypal and find the exact cost of the conversion.


  • #33
    Nhudgell
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13 ✭Nhudgell


    Thanks!

    I'm thinking of keeping it quite simple for the time being, could I get away with just getting:

    Drop handlebars
    Shorter stem
    2nd hand Shimano 8 speed, triple STI road shifters (would work with current group set right?)
    Tape

    Anything else? Or am I being naive?!

    Thx


  • #34
    cdaly_
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,440 ✭✭✭cdaly_


    Nhudgell wrote: »
    Thanks!

    I'm thinking of keeping it quite simple for the time being, could I get away with just getting:

    Drop handlebars
    Shorter stem
    2nd hand Shimano 8 speed, triple STI road shifters (would work with current group set right?)
    Tape

    Anything else? Or am I being naive?!

    Thx

    Get 9 speed shifters. There's an alternate cable routing that will allow you to use these with an 8 speed cassette. Then, when the cassette wears out, you can fit a 9 speed...


  • #35
    Nhudgell
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13 ✭Nhudgell


    Why couldn't I just get some 8-speed shifters (Shimano STI 2300) - that would work perfectly wouldn't they?

    9-speed shifters would 'work' but not perfectly!

    That way I wouldn't need anything else would I?


  • #36
    cdaly_
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,440 ✭✭✭cdaly_


    Oh you could. It's just that things tend to move towards more gears over time and 8 speed gear will become harder to get. It means that a (possibly desireable) future upgrade to 9 speed would be just a matter of a new cassette and chain rather than having to replace your shifters as well.


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  • #37
    Nhudgell
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13 ✭Nhudgell


    Hmm - I see your point, but just trying to keep it relatively simple at this point!


  • #38
    wersal gummage
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,662 ✭✭✭wersal gummage


    Have been thinking about this for a while myself. Have a giant rapid 1 from last year. It needs new chain and sprockets so was thinking if I got 10spd shifters can I just replace the rear block with a 10 spd while I'm at it ???

    Am seeing some wildly varying prices for new shifters. What do I need to get? 10 spd shimano sti shifters? Sora, tiagra or 105 - whatever I can find ?

    Crc has 105 5600 sti levers for 104 euro, seems good value no?

    Thanks.


    http://www.giant-bicycles.com/en-gb/bikes/model/rapid.1/4866/38970/


  • #39
    Doc Daneeka
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 236 ✭✭Doc Daneeka


    Did this conversion... you'll see me asking the same questions a few pages back!

    Shifters is the trickiest thing to get hold of at a good price. After some looking I found a great set of Tiagras second hand on Ebay. It is worth considering at this stage though whether you think you might want to go from a 8 sprocket to 9 at some stage in the future or indeed whether you might want to change from a triple to a double crankset. The choice of shifters will dictate you're options for future conversion.

    Besides all that, really easy to do and am very happy I did mine.

    Doc


  • #40
    Doc Daneeka
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 236 ✭✭Doc Daneeka


    Nhudgell wrote: »
    Thanks!

    I'm thinking of keeping it quite simple for the time being, could I get away with just getting:

    Drop handlebars
    Shorter stem
    2nd hand Shimano 8 speed, triple STI road shifters (would work with current group set right?)
    Tape

    Anything else? Or am I being naive?!

    Thx

    You'll also need new cable and housing. You don't necessarily need a new stem, the one you have should be fine unless you don't feel comfortable on new set up.


  • #41
    -K2-
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 393 ✭✭-K2-


    The stem on a Rapid is (on mine anyway) a 100mm long +8 degree which will give a very high position for road cycling. See how the position feels before deciding if you need to change it.

    I swapped mine to a 110mm +/-6 degree and ran it at positive angle for a while before flipping it to give a lower position. This is comfortable for me on long spins.


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  • #42
    Doc Daneeka
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 236 ✭✭Doc Daneeka


    The rapid stem would be positive as standard I guess. I flipped it and it seems fine. Can't see 10mm or 2deg making that much difference.


  • #43
    Nhudgell
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13 ✭Nhudgell


    Thanks all - great feedback.

    So far I've picked up a looked after pair of Shimano R500 shifters, for more than half the RRP - and now just need some new cable & housing, plus a bar and tape.

    For the bar - what's people preference? Compact? And how about classic (trad. bend) vs the more ergo shaped drops. What's the difference really? How about width? The Giant 3 bars are WIDE - would you advise just going for the widest drops you can get - as that's still much less wide than the current Giant flat bar.

    For the stem - I'll reverse for the time being (as long as I get a compatible bar right?) and see how that feels.

    Any tips on the actual conversion - what's the hardest bit?


  • #44
    cdaly_
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,440 ✭✭✭cdaly_


    Just thinking about this, the stem on the rapid is probably a 25.4mm while drops come in either 26mm or 32mm. You might need to replace the stem also.

    Having broken my handlebars recently, I replaced them with these bars and this stem.


  • #45
    -K2-
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 393 ✭✭-K2-


    Nhudgell wrote: »

    Any tips on the actual conversion - what's the hardest bit?

    Make sure you know how the cables and housings are correctly wired up before you start.

    Adjusting the brakes and gears is straightforward and useful to know for the future: saves on servicing costs.

    Wrapping the bar tape may take some time, especially if you want it to look good.

    There's lots of useful tips here and here.


  • #46
    -K2-
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 393 ✭✭-K2-


    cdaly_ wrote: »
    Just thinking about this, the stem on the rapid is probably a 25.4mm while drops come in either 26mm or 32mm. You might need to replace the stem also.

    Having broken my handlebars recently, I replaced them with these bars and this stem.

    2010 Giant Rapid 2 has 31.8mm bars.


  • #47
    blorg
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,995 ✭✭✭✭blorg


    You should get drops the same width as your shoulders. If you aren't sure get 42cm.

    Shape is personal preference. I like the compact drop and it is good for beginners too. Ergo is a gamble, could be great could be dreadful. Classic is probably too much drop for a beginner and I don't like the shape either.


  • #48
    Nhudgell
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13 ✭Nhudgell


    cdaly_ - that's one of the bars I was looking at. Good?

    I'm 6ft4 and quite broad shouldered so I'm going to look for a 44" - probably a compact and will go from there!

    Don't think I need a new stem as I think the 2010 Giant Rapid 3 I have, has a 31.8mm stem. Will check later though.

    Cheers for all the advice guys - going to be a good changeover once everything arrives! Will post up some pics during conversion!


  • #49
    blorg
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,995 ✭✭✭✭blorg


    6ft4 sounds like 44cm all right. I am 6ft and use 42cm.


  • #50
    Nhudgell
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13 ✭Nhudgell


    It's become a toss up between the following bars:

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ritchey-comp-streem-handlebar/

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/ritchey-comp-logic-ii-road-handlebar

    http://www.wiggle.co.uk/easton-ea50-ergo-road-handlebar/

    Price is all roughly the same - both the ritchley comp logic II and easton ea50 seem to have a bit more above the drops to support the hands when riding on the top of the shifters?


  • #51
    wersal gummage
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,662 ✭✭✭wersal gummage


    http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=41423

    Ordered these yesterday for same purpose, just another option for you.


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  • #52
    Nhudgell
    Closed Accounts Posts: 13 ✭Nhudgell


    Wersal - they look good! Let me know what you think when you get them.


  • #53
    cdaly_
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,440 ✭✭✭cdaly_


    Nhudgell wrote: »
    cdaly_ - that's one of the bars I was looking at. Good?

    I'm liking them. I got the 44cm. They have a fairly wide top which seems a bit easier on the hands and the drops are a comfy fit for me. Mind you, I do have aerobars on top so half of the tops are unavailable to me.


  • #54
    Vélo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,920 ✭✭✭Vélo


    If it's any use to you. I took drop handlebars and 9 speed triple sti shifters off my touring bike. They were never used, I changed the bars over to butterfly bars just after I bought the bike. I'm looking to sell them if you're interested.


  • #55
    wersal gummage
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,662 ✭✭✭wersal gummage


    finally got around to doing this myself on a 2010 giant rapid 1.

    total cost was about 115 euro.

    60 euro for second hand 9 speed 105 shifters (from slideshowbob on here);
    40 euro for bars, bar tape & cables;
    15 euro approx paid to LBS to do work for me (i had planned to do it myself but hadn't really a clue what I was at, bike was due a good service, new chain, cassette, brakes, wheel rebuild so I just asked them to do this for me as well).

    Very happy with it for that price and feels much better. May have to look at going back to a 110mm stem or so though as it does feel quite stretched out at the moment with a 120mm stem.


  • #56
    -K2-
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 393 ✭✭-K2-


    wersal gummage wrote: »
    finally got around to doing this myself on a 2010 giant rapid 1.

    Pics?


  • #57
    robertxxx
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,158 ✭✭✭robertxxx


    pic's.


  • #58
    robertxxx
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,158 ✭✭✭robertxxx


    Dord wrote: »
    I got my Rapid 3 converted a few weeks ago by an LBS. They did it for a very good price and gave a few quid off for the old flatbars with brake levers and shifters. It's worth asking the shop about that! ;)

    giantrapiddrop_sm.jpg

    Here's mine. Sadly it no longer looks this nice.... but that's a whole other story. :(


    How much did it cost? PM me if you dont want to post it.
    Half thinking about it myself.
    cheers


  • #59
    wersal gummage
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,662 ✭✭✭wersal gummage


    bit of a gammy pic:

    [IMG][/img]IMAG0130.jpg


  • #60
    BostonB
    Closed Accounts Posts: 18,053 ✭✭✭✭BostonB


    Very smart looking.


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  • #61
    wersal gummage
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,662 ✭✭✭wersal gummage


    thanks.

    unfortunately this is my commuter bike/ now also winter bike... but i'm already looking at wheels/cranks and other bits and bobs to brighten it up a bit..... will have to resist.


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