Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Winter Rebuilding plans

So, add me to the list of people that have converted their flat bar hybrid to a drop bar.

I had considered simply selling this bike and buying a drop bar bike, but my wife made noises accompanied with phrases like "but you JUST got that bike" and "It was a Father's day present"....so a conversion was in order.

I've got a Easton drop bar with brifters and cyclocross-style brakes from a chap in Toronto (via Craigslist, and he threw in a Sora front derailleur as well), and I placed an order a couple days ago for travel agents, new cables, wrap, and a cable cutter.

As well, I've purchases a wireless computer with heart rate sensor. Well, actually, it was free with credit card reward points (RBC Rewards, for any Canadians out there with a RBC Visa).

The installation seems relatively straightforwards, my only issue may be dialing in the fit with the new bars.

So, add me to the list of people that have converted their flat bar hybrid to a drop bar.

I had considered simply selling this bike and buying a drop bar bike, but my wife made noises accompanied with phrases like "but you JUST got that bike" and "It was a Father's day present"....so a conversion was in order.

I've got a Easton drop bar with brifters and cyclocross-style brakes from a chap in Toronto (via Craigslist, and he threw in a Sora front derailleur as well), and I placed an order a couple days ago for travel agents, new cables, wrap, and a cable cutter.

As well, I've purchases a wireless computer with heart rate sensor. Well, actually, it was free with credit card reward points (RBC Rewards, for any Canadians out there with a RBC Visa).

The installation seems relatively straightforwards, my only issue may be dialing in the fit with the new bars.

It would be good to know what bike you're converting. I've had similar thoughts about converting my Trek FX 7.3. It would also be good if you could give us some pictures of your progress. I'd be very interested.

Good luck and let us know how it's going.

John

It would be good to know what bike you're converting. I've had similar thoughts about converting my Trek FX 7.3. It would also be good if you could give us some pictures of your progress. I'd be very interested.

Good luck and let us know how it's going.

John

it's a Specialized Sirrus.

I'll take pics if anyone's interested; in my research i found other threads (i think even here at bikeforums) on converting a FX 7.3

it's a Specialized Sirrus.

I'll take pics if anyone's interested; in my research i found other threads (i think even here at bikeforums) on converting a FX 7.3

here's the thread, i had it bookmarked on my work machine:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?578606-Convert-Trek-FX-Hybrid-to-Drop-Bars&highlight=Minoura+Space+Bar+Hack

I'll be putting together a retro-look wheelset for my 1972 Schwinn Paramount.

I've been able to source what I need for the wheelset. I found a matching front hub for my 121mm wide high-flange Dura Ace 5 speed rear hub on eBay. This is not an OEM hub, but it's ideal for my needs. I recently purchased a correct set of rebuildable Campagnolo Record high-flange hubs also, but the Dura Ace has been on the bike since 1982 and since these will be 700c wheels, I'm not totally concerned with authenticity.

I'm going to use a 700c 19mm rim from Velo Orange. These polished rims look like old school steel box rims, but are double wall alloy construction. The VO rims with the Dura Ace hubs will out-perform the OEM wheelset without clashing with the otherwise original unit.

I agree that I will need to show special care for the wheels and the bike, I'll use 700x28 tires at 95 psi. I have a Soma Double Cross that will be used for most of my riding, including all bad weather usage.

I would like to take a couple dozen 55 mile rides from my home on the north side of Chicago to Lake Bluff (a 55 mile RT) on the Paramount next year. I would also like to try to ride a century on the bike. The fit of this bike might not allow long-distance riding, however.

Below is a picture of the bike;

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/IMG_1414.jpg













Michael

A follow up to my initial post...someone asked for progress info First shakedown ride with the new drop bars. All I could manage in between family commitments was a half hour this past weekend.

The full bill of materials for the conversion:

used Easton bars with Sora brifters installed.
used Sora front derailleur (the guy who sold me the bars threw in the derailleur!)
Problem Solvers Travel agent - to adapt the cantilever brakes to work with the Sora levers
Jagwire road cable & housing set
Deda bar tape
Park CN-10 cable cutter
Ritchey Road Barrel Adjusters
Specialized comp-set stem, 100mm x 8 deg. The existing stem fit the new drop bars, but i found it was a bit too long of a reach. This specialized stem allows the ability to swap out shims for a different angle, if i find it's necessary.
+ two additional cables I found I needed after I messed up the initial install.

Before anyone posts "why not just get a new bike" well, I didn't have that option. Phrases such as "But that bike was a FATHERS DAY present" were thrown around.

On the left is the tension adjuster I found I needed with the new shifters and derailleur. Spot the problem in this photo:

http://i46.tinypic.com/14taib5.jpg

Few more pics:

http://i46.tinypic.com/1r44s8.jpg

This one is a sorta blurry shot of the travel agent take-up adjuster. I kinda think it has a negative impact on the braking quality. I can probably live with it.

http://i46.tinypic.com/rk0jgx.jpg

and finally, the used Sora derailleur

http://i49.tinypic.com/iqg29z.jpg

Please show a picture of the entire bike from the side so I can see the handlebar setup in relation to entire bike.

I might have one at home. Why?

looks sharp, nice work :thumb:

I'll be putting together a retro-look wheelset for my 1972 Schwinn Paramount.

I've been able to source what I need for the wheelset. I found a matching front hub for my 121mm wide high-flange Dura Ace 5 speed rear hub on eBay. This is not an OEM hub, but it's ideal for my needs. I recently purchased a correct set of rebuildable Campagnolo Record high-flange hubs also, but the Dura Ace has been on the bike since 1982 and since these will be 700c wheels, I'm not totally concerned with authenticity.

I'm going to use a 700c 19mm rim from Velo Orange. These polished rims look like old school steel box rims, but are double wall alloy construction. The VO rims with the Dura Ace hubs will out-perform the OEM wheelset without clashing with the otherwise original unit.

I agree that I will need to show special care for the wheels and the bike, I'll use 700x28 tires at 95 psi. I have a Soma Double Cross that will be used for most of my riding, including all bad weather usage.

I would like to take a couple dozen 55 mile rides from my home on the north side of Chicago to Lake Bluff (a 55 mile RT) on the Paramount next year. I would also like to try to ride a century on the bike. The fit of this bike might not allow long-distance riding, however.

Below is a picture of the bike;

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/IMG_1414.jpg













Michael

Michael, just looking at that saddle towering over the handlebars gives me back spasms. :-( Isn't that a rather severe drop?

I might have one at home. Why?

because in the OP you mention dialing in the fit of the new bars and none of the photos really shows how the bars are in relation to the rest of the bike.

Michael, just looking at that saddle towering over the handlebars gives me back spasms. :-( Isn't that a rather severe drop?
Yes, the drop is more than I would like. I've since raised the stem several cm, but I've raised the seat a bit also :o. This bike gets used for shorter-than-3-hour rides, for the most part. I'm owned the bike since it was new, and it's more sentimental than practical.
My other bikes are set-up for longer rides.

My other bikes look like this;


http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/2010bikepictures009.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/2010bikepictures015.jpg

http://i289.photobucket.com/albums/ll210/wildcat-bucket/Somka2x2009.jpg

I used Tektro v-brake levers partly to avoid travel agents. I know there are plenty of people who've used them successfully, but I figured I'd be fine using the "right" levers, and I looked forward to the (slight) challenge of finding the right "shifting solution".

Nice conversion! There's great satisfaction in DIY. And perhaps in showing that something can be done, and pretty easily.

"Spot the problem in this photo" ... I couldn't spot it.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3233/3325980857_d07f44df5a.jpg

stem and front tire aren't aligned. really, it's only slightly noticeable in the pictures, but when i started riding it was a WHOAH moment. the sort of thing you don't recognize when the bike is on a trainer in the basement.