Bicycle Mechanics - drop bars on Jamis Coda?

Just curious, for those familiar with the Jamis Coda, what would it take to convert from the stock Ritchey Comp straight bars to drop bars? Any suggestions on components to use for such a switch?

Thanks,

----> SilverStreak

Addtl info: my LBS tells me that this will be a "major modification" because I'll also have to replace the V-brakes on the Coda which cannot be matches to drop bar/road brake setup.

Drop bar... brake levers and shifters... tape... maybe a new stem, but not necessarily...

You could use any Shimano STI shifters/brake levers with the front and rear derailleurs. If you want to go cheaper [STI shifters can be a bit pricey] you could use almost any road brake levers with barcons.

With drop bars, you'll have a very wicked cyclocross or touring bike.

The flat bar bike has a top tube 3.5cm longer than their drop bar bikes.

Drop bars place your normal riding position about 6-8" beyond the stem. When they design the flat bar bike, they make the top tube longer, but the bars are still closer, and the stem is not overly long.
If you just swap out flats for drops, the bike will be way too long for you.
If you set the reach to be identical, you will have the drops on a very short stem.

Alternatives to drops are the touring flats like Modolo. These are flat in one plane, but curve forwad then loop back with their ends pointing towards in to the stem. Brake /gear levers go on the open ends. Cant find a pic of course, but they work well in place of flats and give a good variety of positions.

I'm not sure if you can find the right drop bar in the correct diameter for your stem, or a stem to work in your headset. Take a look, but I doubt that it will really work.
There are drop-style bar ends-maybe that is better for you.

If you use STI shifters, you'll need an inline cable adjuster for your front derailleur.

Originally posted by D*Alex
I'm not sure if you can find the right drop bar in the correct diameter for your stem, or a stem to work in your headset. Take a look, but I doubt that it will really work.
There are drop-style bar ends-maybe that is better for you.
I'm reasonably certain that there are a number of drop handlebars available for 25.4 mm clamp stems. I'm not sure, but I seem to remember Ritchey having such a product. Moreover, it's entirely possible that the Ritchey Comp stem on the Coda [and the bar] is a 25.8 mm dia. It's worth checking.

In any event, the Coda has a 1 1/8" threadless headset, so it wouldn't be too difficult to swap out the stem and bar, if necessary.

Unless I'm forgetting something here, which, considering my rapidly advancing age, is not an impossibility.

Another bit of info that might help: my coda is a 17.5" frame which means a 22.05 top effective length (Jamis specs). I test rode a 53cm Nova, which fit comfortably. The 53cm Nova has a 20.87" top effective measurement. Length difference comes to 1.18" or 2.99cm, so I guess that's good news in terms of getting to a drop bar distance on the Coda that doesn't have me stretching uncomfortably.

----> SilverStreak

Originally posted by SilverStreak
...
Addtl info: my LBS tells me that this will be a "major modification" because I'll also have to replace the V-brakes on the Coda which cannot be matches to drop bar/road brake setup.

This is a typical issue with road tandems, which typically have V-brakes.

See this page for more info http://tandem-fahren.de/Mitglieder/Christoph_Timm/DropBrakes.htm

If you are going to go with barcons (bar end shifters) and separate brake levers, buy the DiaCompe 287-V brake levers. These levers are made specifically for V-brakes.

Barcons are not that common anymore so you'll either end up ordering them and paying full list price or possibly finding some old stock on the web for very little money.

I use the QBP Travel Agents on our tandem.

I'm thinking of doing a similar conversion to my Cannondale ATB with lockout headshok fork. I currently use a Scott AT-4 bar with Performance Strada clip ons and an XTR remote shifter. It looks cool and has about 97 different hand positions but I still wish I had my old Nitto Dirt Drop bars on the bike. I have the bars, barcons, and cable adjusters, but I'll need a new taller, shorter reach, steeper Cannondale stem and the 287-V brake levers.

Jim

Originally posted by SilverStreak
Just curious, for those familiar with the Jamis Coda, what would it take to convert from the stock Ritchey Comp straight bars to drop bars? Any suggestions on components to use for such a switch?

Thanks,

----> SilverStreak

Addtl info: my LBS tells me that this will be a "major modification" because I'll also have to replace the V-brakes on the Coda which cannot be matches to drop bar/road brake setup.


SilverStreak, how do you like your Jamis Coda so far? I'm thinking about this bike too. How much did you get it for? I'm also looking into the Specialized Sirrus. I ride mostly in the city, which means jumping up and down sidewalk curbs....I also ride on bike paths....I want an all all around bike that's light and fast, but will withstand the abuse of city riding. I was also thinking about drops because of the numerous hand positions....do you regret your purchase? Thx.

Great bike. I actually bought it for my wife, but she's insisting on sticking with the old Nishiki Backroads mountain bike (I bought her the Coda so I could appropriate the Nishiki for my upcoming commute to new job!).

The Coda is a real screamer in the city. It has amazing acceleration off the line and maneuvers like a dream. I even like the Selle Royale Gel seat that came stock.

Did you end up putting the drop bars on the Coda? If so which drop bars did you use and did you have to change the stem length? I also ride a 54cm road bike and was looking at the 17.5in Coda for a touring cross bike with drop bars. I considered the top tube length but didnt really think it would be that big of a deal. What do you think? Any advice would be helpful. Thanks