Question about Parts
 

Maybe I didn't read through the FAQ's properly so if this question is already answered somewhere I'm sorry!

I have a Fuji Nevada 4.0 Hardtail MTB and was wondering if you can fit such a bike with the drop handle bars? Does anyone have any experience with this? Is it possible? What are the best handle bars IYHO?

Also, Pedals, do you have any recommendations for a newbie?

I may be getting a road bike in the next year or so, but for now I want to "upgrade" my MTB.

Thanks ahead of time for suggestions!

-Fuish

You can put drops on a mountain bike but you should get a new stem to accommodate the larger diameter of a road bar (26.0mm). Just make sure you match the steerer tube diameter on the new stem (most likely 1 1/8").

As for pedals it really depends on what kind of riding you want them for. If you still want to be able to walk when you're not on the bike you shouldn't get road pedals. Personally I'm a fan of eggbeaters. 4 sided entry and really easy to clip in to. In any case get a decent set of pedals. if you're on a budget Shimano usually has some good low cost options.

Here's a good start for switching flats to drops:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=200519

(Sheldon is always your friend.)

It may end up being false economy, however, and you end up spending more money upgrading than you could have spent on a proper road (or maybe cyclocross) bike.

There are threads on this, I know, I have read them, probably in the road forum or Bicycle Mechanics.

My personal opinions follow... Use what you want, ignore the rest.

The issues:

1) Brake levers need to change. If your bike has V brakes, you will either need to get the one or two available road brake levers that work with V brakes, or get Travel Agents... You can also switch to traditional cantilever brakes and use standard road levers without a travel agent.

2) Shifting. Depending on your current shifting you will need to find a replacement. Probably stem shifters or bar end shifters (integrated shifters would be too expensive for temporary use in my view) If you have rapid fire or other, you could try to improvise, but it may not be convenient.

3) The seat on your mtb may not be comfortable with the change in body position, so you may want a different saddle for comfort.

There are also other differences between road bikes and mountain bikes that could impact handling, but as long as you don't expect your mountain bike to ride like a true road bike, you are probably fine.

For pedals, I like my Crank Brothers Candy C pedals. Along with my "trekking" shoes from Lake, which are basically mountain shoes with less aggressive soles. The recessed design of the cleat with this shoe allows for comfortable walking while off the bike. Although I don't wear them inside because at my weight there is a little rubbing of the cleat on the ground at times, and I don't like the possibility of ruining floors.

The best way is a simple 2 step process:

1) Sell mountain bike
2) buy road bike.

You can make a MTB into a hybrid, by swapping for narrower tires, and a raising the bars and possibly swapping the fork for a non suspension one, but swapping the bars for road bars, but to get a true road bike you also need to replace the crank, to get higher gearing, the shifters and brake levers and bars and cables. This may be sensible if you do your own labour, and your doing over 3-4 years, but otherwise your spending the cost of a road bike to get a bike that will never work quite right.

Edit: eradicated some spelling gremlins, this typing one handed is almost as big a drag as being off bike for the rest of the season:cry:

I like the idea of putting drops on a mtb. You used to see them in the late 80s every now and then, and WTB used to make special off-road drop bars.

But Wog is right, why spend a bunch of money buying and installing a whole new front end if you're just going to buy a road bike anyway.

Sell your rig and buy a road bike (see my sig!).

+1

Upgrading is often not cost effective in the long run.

Al

I did that to my Trek 7500fx hybrid. Semi-expensive stupid mistake.:mad: That idea lasted about 4 months before I changed it back and bought a road bike! You cannot make a non-road bike "un-heavy."

Should have just spent the money and added the road bike in the stable to start with.

You can probably seach my posts and see a picture of that stroke of genius somewhere on here.

Get a set of bar ends that create a set of drops.

I've been looking for those to put a link here. The only manufacturer that made them, Newk, no longer does and existing stock seems to be exhausted. I'll keep looking though. :D That would be one solution though, I agree.

I did find this:
http://www.bikemannetwork.com/biking...HBCROSS/HB1518

I'm not trying to make it "unheavy" I'm just trying to make it more comfortable for longer rides. I'm still pretty new, I can't go very far yet so I just want a comfy ride. I can't stand the one hand position.

Thanks for the links and suggestions everyone! <3

This would be my suggestion:

http://www.rei.com/product/629508?vc...HP_CYCLING_TOC

As seen here:

http://www.rei.com/product/730480