Flatbar to Dropbar Conversion?
02-18-11, 07:09 PM
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Flatbar to Dropbar Conversion?
I'm currently running a flatbar, but have been considering converting to dropbars. If I make the change how will this effect the braking? My bike is equipped with tektro linear pull brakes and switching to calipers wouldn't be easy. Thanks for the help!
02-18-11, 07:22 PM
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Crane Creek makes a special brake caliper that has two places to put the cable in. One for regular brakes and a longer pull hole for linear pull brakes. They are a bit expensive but work well. Tektro may sell the same thing as they make the ones for Crane Creek but I don't know the model number. Roger
02-18-11, 07:27 PM
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1. You can use "long pull" brake levers for drop bars that are compatible with linear pull brakes. You won't be able to use integrated shifters ("brifters") with this option.
2. You can add travel agents to your current linear brakes. You'll then be able to use brifters or any of a variety of standard (short pull) brake levers.
3. You can convert to traditional cantilever brakes. These require short-pull levers, just as do sidepull calipers. This will allow the same brake lever choices as you'd have with option #2.
FWIW: Your choice of shifting option and the amount of available free/low-cost parts will make a big difference in the final cost of such a conversion (anywhere from free to $500+).
2. You can add travel agents to your current linear brakes. You'll then be able to use brifters or any of a variety of standard (short pull) brake levers.
3. You can convert to traditional cantilever brakes. These require short-pull levers, just as do sidepull calipers. This will allow the same brake lever choices as you'd have with option #2.
FWIW: Your choice of shifting option and the amount of available free/low-cost parts will make a big difference in the final cost of such a conversion (anywhere from free to $500+).
02-18-11, 08:09 PM
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What kind of bike is it? This type of conversion could cost more than the bike is worth. If you go with integrated shift/brake levers, this could cost several hundred dollars.
The cheapest way to do something like this is to use bar-end shifters and regular brake levers. Tektro V-Brake levers are pretty nice.
If you only want drop bars because you need more hand positions, you could try something like Soma Sparrow bars or moustache bars like the Soma 3-Speed II which both accept the same types of brake levers and shifters that your flat bars already have. There are equivalent bars from other manufacturers, and I mention Soma because those are the bars I am familiar with.
No matter what you do, you will probably need a new stem. If you put drop bars on the same stem as flat bars, you will probably be too stretched out to use them.
The cheapest way to do something like this is to use bar-end shifters and regular brake levers. Tektro V-Brake levers are pretty nice.
If you only want drop bars because you need more hand positions, you could try something like Soma Sparrow bars or moustache bars like the Soma 3-Speed II which both accept the same types of brake levers and shifters that your flat bars already have. There are equivalent bars from other manufacturers, and I mention Soma because those are the bars I am familiar with.
No matter what you do, you will probably need a new stem. If you put drop bars on the same stem as flat bars, you will probably be too stretched out to use them.
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