Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

Switching handlebars (keeping everything else same)

Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

Switching handlebars (keeping everything else same)

Old 05-28-08, 08:59 AM
  #1  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 4
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Switching handlebars (keeping everything else same)

I just bought a Trek 7.3 FX hybrid a bit over a month ago and am interested in swapping out the standard flat handbar to a drop -- something like the Bontrager Cyclocross bar. I would still keep the brake/shifters on the flat top portion of the bar. I'm pretty new to any sort of DIY stuff on the bike, so I was wondering if this would throw the braking or shifting mechanisms off. Anything else I should consider?
dekaliber is offline  
Old 05-28-08, 09:03 AM
  #2  
Boomer
 
maddmaxx's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 7,214

Bikes: Diamondback Clarity II frame homebuilt.

Mentioned: 106 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 16098 Post(s)
Liked 1,457 Times in 1,064 Posts
The diameter of the drop bar is different at the component mounting locations and probably will not fit them.
__________________
maddmaxx is offline  
Old 05-28-08, 10:28 AM
  #3  
a big man
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Spokane
Posts: 262

Bikes: Trek 4300; Motobecane Vent Noir

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 21 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
This page will explain why this conversion is difficult/impossible.

https://www.sheldonbrown.com/deakins/handlebars.html
justin70 is offline  
Old 05-28-08, 10:31 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
 
ijgrant's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 131
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
It can be done, but it'll cost a bit.

You'd need a drop bar (I'm assuming you have one) brake levers and shifters.

For the brake levers, because the 7.3 has linear pull, you'd need dia-comp 287-V levers, or Tektro RL520 levers. The tektro ones are cheaper, and pretty nice.

for shifters, since the 7.3 is 8 speeds, you'd have to use bar-end shifters, a set of those for 8 speed is about $75.

Alternativly, You could change the linear pull brakes to normal Cantilevers, and use integrated shift/brake levers. you could get the brakes for about $20, but the lever/shifters are around $125 and up
ijgrant is offline  
Old 05-28-08, 10:54 AM
  #5  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 4
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by ijgrant
It can be done, but it'll cost a bit.

You'd need a drop bar (I'm assuming you have one) brake levers and shifters.

For the brake levers, because the 7.3 has linear pull, you'd need dia-comp 287-V levers, or Tektro RL520 levers. The tektro ones are cheaper, and pretty nice.

for shifters, since the 7.3 is 8 speeds, you'd have to use bar-end shifters, a set of those for 8 speed is about $75.

Alternativly, You could change the linear pull brakes to normal Cantilevers, and use integrated shift/brake levers. you could get the brakes for about $20, but the lever/shifters are around $125 and up
Thanks for the feedback everyone -- this is definitely a bit more complicated than I thought.

I wasn't planning to change the stock brake/shifter assembly if I could get away with it. I don't need them at the ends of the drops so I figured leaving them on top would eliminate having the change them. However, the diameter issue is a killer point. Maybe I'll just go with some bar ends...
dekaliber is offline  
Old 05-28-08, 11:33 AM
  #6  
The Improbable Bulk
 
Little Darwin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Wilkes-Barre, PA
Posts: 8,401

Bikes: Many

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 7 Times in 7 Posts
I recalled seeing bar ends that are shaped like the drops of drop bars if you are looking for a compromise to give you a more aero posiiton.

A quick search showed these...

https://www.amazon.com/Origin-Bicycle.../dp/B0013G6PB8

Something like these could give you what you are looking for while keeping the cost and conversion effort low.
__________________
Slow Ride Cyclists of NEPA

People do not seem to realize that their opinion of the world is also a confession of character.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Little Darwin is offline  
Old 05-28-08, 11:34 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 295
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Plus I don't think its likely you'll be able to slide your shifters up over the bend of a drop bar...
bbgobie is offline  
Old 05-28-08, 11:53 AM
  #8  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 4
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by Little Darwin
I recalled seeing bar ends that are shaped like the drops of drop bars if you are looking for a compromise to give you a more aero posiiton.

A quick search showed these...

https://www.amazon.com/Origin-Bicycle.../dp/B0013G6PB8

Something like these could give you what you are looking for while keeping the cost and conversion effort low.
Thanks LD -- I did see those earlier but I figured why not go with the real thing if it only involved spending a bit more. It seems like it will require a lot more for a full conversion, so I think I'm going to hold off for now...
dekaliber is offline  
Old 05-28-08, 12:12 PM
  #9  
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA
Posts: 524

Bikes: riders:Schwinn Continental ('80), Specialized Crossroads Sport ('07), Schwinn Super Sport (73), Schwinn Superior (76), Projects: Schwinn Sprint ('74), Trek 800 & Schwinn Continental ('71)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Will this type of bar replacement fit your needs, have seen on one other bike near me, thinking it is a hybrid Trek, but not certain.
bab2000 is offline  
Old 06-02-08, 06:42 AM
  #10  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 4
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Thanks for that link! I ended up ordering some Titec Micros to see if some basic bar ends will give me enough flexibility for the amount of riding I do... I may switch to something else or just upgrade to a dedicated road bike in a year or so depending on how I feel.
dekaliber is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.