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Bicycle Mechanics - Converting from a flat handlebar to drop handlebars

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T_Bird

02-09-07, 11:31 AM

Hey there,
I got a Fuji Silhouette recently from a friend. I absolutely love the bike, except the flat handlebars.
Is it possible to convert flat handlebars to drop handlebars? Or does this mess up the geometry of the bike?
Any help is great!
Thanks.

shakeNbake

02-09-07, 11:53 AM

It is possible. I was considering this option before I bought my current bike.

The cost depends on whether you want STI shifters or not.

You will need:
handlebars
Brake levers + bar-end shifters (or an STI unit)
an adaptor for the V-brakes

tellyho

02-09-07, 12:04 PM

Can be expensive to buy a set of brifters, the rest is basic. The question will be how well your derailleurs work with the new levers

maddmaxx

02-09-07, 12:39 PM

Looking at the specs for a 2005 silhouette, you have a shimano flatbar control group with an FD443 front derailleur. If you change to the drop bars and want to go with the STI shifters you will need any of the Shimano 9 speed STI brifter units and a new front derailleur from one of the 9 speed road groups, ie tiagra, or last generation 105 or ultegra. Your rear derailleur, crank, chain and 12/26 cassette will work fine. I think you already have road brakes as that would have been normal for the existing control group.

rmfnla

02-09-07, 04:02 PM

Check your stem, too; standard (not OS) flat bars are 25.4 mm while drops can be 26.0 or 26.4.

dobber

02-09-07, 04:05 PM