Folding Bikes - Help Me Pick Parts for A Drop Conversion (Mu P8)

Hey, all. Grabbed a Mu P8 about last month and while I love it to bits, I've got this craving to go drop-bar.

Unfortunately, while I'm trying to learn the technical aspects of bikes, all these parts are pretty overwhelming. So, I guess what I'm looking for then are:

New Breaks(?)
Brake/Shifters
Rear Derailleur (Do I need a front one too?)
New Cassette(?)
Bar and mountings (Looking at Thor's setup)
Some questions, on the brifter. If I get an 8-speed brifter, would I still have to get a new cassette? Derailleur?

Is this all possible to do for under $700?
Any advice is welcome!

I could answer long or short. I chose short:
http://www.thorusa.com/dahon/technical/heliosdropbarconversion.htm

Drop Bars
Brake levers
Travel agents
Hubbub adapter

=P Yeah, I figured that much. That's more or less where I got the general idea of what I needed but what parts specifically? Will any part work? How do I know if a brifter will work with a derailleur?

@Dyno: That looks like a big cost saver. How does the adapter work? The site doesn't really explain.

You seemingly haven't looked at the site I have linked to... all is revealed there including some cost estimates.

I'm not an expert at this but I have looked into it a little.

I believe you can purchase drop bar levers for V-brakes. This would allow you to use your original brakes without travel agents.

Here is and example:
Cane Creek Drop V Levers for linear pull brakes (BR5071). $42.99 at aebike.com

There isn't really a cost estimate. It just says that it's not a $100 mod. :p

The derailleur is kind of out of my price range.

For brifters, how do I know if it'll be compatible with a certain derailleur _____? (If this is an issue)

My Mu P8 is an 8 speed. I read that there are a few (minor) problems using a 9-speed brifter with an 8 speed cassette?

@Lock: Thanks, that look like a good idea since my LBS' cheapest brifter pair starts out at $400. What would I do about the shifter? Bar end shifters? I saw one setup with their twist grip on an "accessory mount", I could try that and then move up to full brifters later.

Edit: Found a local ad, if I can get (2008 Ultegra) "Shifters and front and rear derailleurs, chain, b.bracket, Gossamer 172.5 double crankset 48/38" for $400, should I go for that?

why not just put Origin 8 drop bar ends on it and call it a day (under $20USD).

Unfortunately, I'm a tad wobbly when I take a hand off to do anything. To reach up for my brakes/shift is kind of a scary prospect for me.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joseff/sets/72157605937936133/

Wow, I love how that still folds... That's awesome!

So, wait... Does that mean I don't have to chop off the top of my stem or get the clamps?

I chopped the bottom of the stem. Use common sense and loctite on all QRs.

Decide on the shifter early on. I'm not a brifter person so used the original shifter. If you prefer brifters, go get travel agents.

And it *was* $100, thank you very much.

=P The $100 thing was from Thor's site for the Helios drop down conversion. His (which I'm trying to go with) isn't a $100 job.

Edit: Also, what's are "QRs"? Heh, nevermind. Looked it up.

its not super difficult..... most parts can be bught on ebay ..lol
you need travel agents when you want brifters ( like I wanted to try ) if you have barcon shifters or even a gripshift than you can use dia compe levers for v brakes and save the travel agants ....
I like joseff.s mu a lot ...

thor

you can also use mini-v brakes too...

they allow you to campy ergoshifters and shimano brifter without the travel agent

I have a set of tektro mini v's with my campy shifters aqnd the brakes work fine

if you get a set, make sure they are the 80mm length

@thor: Thanks, I looked at your helios pics before doing mine. Having folded pics would have been a huge confidence boost though :)

@doco: just wondering, would the mini V's clear fenders on my 1.5" marathon racers? I have a pair of old 105 (non-STI) levers I like better than the Tektros. Do you have pics of your bike?

@doco: just wondering, would the mini V's clear fenders on my 1.5" marathon racers? I have a pair of old 105 (non-STI) levers I like better than the Tektros. Do you have pics of your bike?[/QUOTE]

sorry I don't have a picture,no camera, but Raxel has some pics on this forum


http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=393056
My GF's Moulton TSR - Bike Forums

also if you need more info search the cross bike forum for min v...that is where I found out the 80mm length the best length to get

my set up with the min v and ergo shifters works great and no kludgey travel agent :)

Would a 26mm bar fit in the handlebar clamp of the bike? Would it be a bad idea to sand it down until it did fit?

Thanks.

sanding down = fail

sanding down = fail

:lol: Yep, won't be doing that. I've decided to get the clamp/stubby setup from Thor, while I'm at it I'm going to grab some powergrips and MKS pedals. XD Someone needs to stop me.

And the front derailleur hangers...

So, anyways. Can someone tell me if I'll have any compatibility issues with my (2008) Mu P8 rear derailleur? I plan to swap it with an (2008) Ultegra rear derailleur.

Also, how much should I be looking at to have everything installed? My LBSs tend to really vary and I'm not sure if I'm just miscommunicating.

Thanks.

If you're replacing the Neos with an Ultegra, change the derailleur hanger to a "normal" one with the bolt behind the rear axle. I got mine along with the bike. You don't *need* to though, I've seen the Neos with 9 mountain gears (11-34). You can then add ultegra FD for a front double.

Why stop you? We want pics already! :D

Sorry, the 9-speed Neos was obviously with single chainring.
When adding double crank, replace with appropriate rear der.