Nexus 8 drop bar commuter conversion pics
05-29-08, 09:11 AM
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Nexus 8 drop bar commuter conversion pics
Well I cheated a bit by starting off with an 07' Jamis Commuter 3.0 which comes equipped with the Nexus 8. Anyhow I really liked Sheldon Brown's Bianchi San Jos8 conversion at Harris Cyclery and thought this would be a quicker route. Since the jamis only cost $561 with tax it left me lots of room to improve and has similar geometry.
The moustache style bars did not work for me so I kept the 25.4 stem and added some 45cm Nitto's wrapped in black Cinelli cork. I don't like the stem but I need these bars high. of course the mountain style levers would not work so I opted for some Tektro aero levers. The bars were only $29.00 and the brakes $25.00 at Velo Orange. Harris also supplies the needed Hubub bar end adapter for the Nexus shifter, only 2 shifters are compatible.
I also dumped the stock saddle for a Brooks B17 on a cheap fixed post instead of the bouncy pogo stick it came with. The stock fenders were junk so I went with silver SKS ones to keep with the black and silver theme throughout the bike. Also dumped the stock Kenda tires after about 1,000 miles and just mounted Schwalbe Marathon Racers going down from 32's to 30's. I know the downhill pedals look strange but I don't like being clipped in and these are nice fat platforms by Crank Brothers with great grip in any kind of shoe. The headlight mount is from Terra Cycle and does a good job of getting the light lower and out of the way.
I did all of the work myself so I think I've got a thousand into this bike? Consider the Commuter as an inexpensive platform to upgrade if you want a drop bar internal hub bike with 700 wheels/ 36 spokes.
The moustache style bars did not work for me so I kept the 25.4 stem and added some 45cm Nitto's wrapped in black Cinelli cork. I don't like the stem but I need these bars high. of course the mountain style levers would not work so I opted for some Tektro aero levers. The bars were only $29.00 and the brakes $25.00 at Velo Orange. Harris also supplies the needed Hubub bar end adapter for the Nexus shifter, only 2 shifters are compatible.
I also dumped the stock saddle for a Brooks B17 on a cheap fixed post instead of the bouncy pogo stick it came with. The stock fenders were junk so I went with silver SKS ones to keep with the black and silver theme throughout the bike. Also dumped the stock Kenda tires after about 1,000 miles and just mounted Schwalbe Marathon Racers going down from 32's to 30's. I know the downhill pedals look strange but I don't like being clipped in and these are nice fat platforms by Crank Brothers with great grip in any kind of shoe. The headlight mount is from Terra Cycle and does a good job of getting the light lower and out of the way.
I did all of the work myself so I think I've got a thousand into this bike? Consider the Commuter as an inexpensive platform to upgrade if you want a drop bar internal hub bike with 700 wheels/ 36 spokes.
05-29-08, 09:29 AM
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Crap! You probably got the last HubBub! 
Looks good. I still don't know if I want to wait for the hubbub or use a barend extension on the stem.
Looks good. I still don't know if I want to wait for the hubbub or use a barend extension on the stem.
05-29-08, 12:06 PM
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Very nice setup and alternative to the San Jos8. Thanks for sharing!
05-29-08, 02:00 PM
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I wonder if there's any way to get a more traditional bar end shifter working. I can't stand twist grip shifters. I've got an Alfine rear hub with the Alfine thumb shifter, but surely someone should be clever enough to figure out a way to use something other than the twister.
Nice bike, though, I like the idea a lot, very clever way to get at this. And I'm not sure unless hell freezes over and I turn into some kind of racer that I'll ever buy another bike that has a derailleur, but I just can't see reaching down there and having to crank that thing for every gear change.
I've wondered about adapting the stem adapter with the twist grip but with some sort of fabricated lever attached to the twister to make it function more like an indexed downtube shifter. I don't know why, but those twist grips (my wife's bike has one) just drive me nuts.
Nice bike, though, I like the idea a lot, very clever way to get at this. And I'm not sure unless hell freezes over and I turn into some kind of racer that I'll ever buy another bike that has a derailleur, but I just can't see reaching down there and having to crank that thing for every gear change.
I've wondered about adapting the stem adapter with the twist grip but with some sort of fabricated lever attached to the twister to make it function more like an indexed downtube shifter. I don't know why, but those twist grips (my wife's bike has one) just drive me nuts.
05-29-08, 02:58 PM
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I've got a downtube shifter in the works for Nexus 8. As soon as the first prototype is machined, I'll post an update.
05-29-08, 06:34 PM
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I suppose the benefit (for some) of the San Jose is that it is Steel.
I am considering a Jamis, maybe the 4.0 for the Alfine and Disc Brakes. Or the same model you purchased. Despite the junky fenders, $560 sounds like a good deal for a Nexus 8. Make's me question if $200 more for the Alfine/Disc Brake model is really worth it?
My main reason for wanting one is that it is Upright and has an Internal hub.
How was it as a upright commuter? Comfy? Work well with the cushy saddle?
My Fiancee is considering a Amsterdam Royal 8, because she loves the style and felt very comfortable riding it. Not to mention... she could wear a skirt.
I thought the Jamis, with it's larger oversized saddle(I read this style saddle is better for women?), might be a worthy consideration as well.
The Redline R530 is on the short list of test rides for her to, the Birias with a step through frame ($750 with a totally step through frame, 8 spd Nexus, hub generator lights), and Electra Townie (although she MUCH prefers the look of the Amsterdam!).
How about using Rapid Fire shifters with a Nexus? I love Rapid Fire on my GT Hybrid.
Nice Ride!
I am considering a Jamis, maybe the 4.0 for the Alfine and Disc Brakes. Or the same model you purchased. Despite the junky fenders, $560 sounds like a good deal for a Nexus 8. Make's me question if $200 more for the Alfine/Disc Brake model is really worth it?
My main reason for wanting one is that it is Upright and has an Internal hub.
How was it as a upright commuter? Comfy? Work well with the cushy saddle?
My Fiancee is considering a Amsterdam Royal 8, because she loves the style and felt very comfortable riding it. Not to mention... she could wear a skirt.
I thought the Jamis, with it's larger oversized saddle(I read this style saddle is better for women?), might be a worthy consideration as well.
The Redline R530 is on the short list of test rides for her to, the Birias with a step through frame ($750 with a totally step through frame, 8 spd Nexus, hub generator lights), and Electra Townie (although she MUCH prefers the look of the Amsterdam!).
How about using Rapid Fire shifters with a Nexus? I love Rapid Fire on my GT Hybrid.
Nice Ride!
Last edited by djkenny; 05-30-08 at 05:14 PM.
06-02-08, 07:45 AM
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I'll definitely be curious to see your downtube Nexus shifter prototype.
I realize it can't work exactly like a normal downtube shifter, but it still seems doable.
If you build a Nexus shifter would it work on an Alfine hub?
I'll show my complete ignorance here by asking a stupid question, but what is the reason that almost all of these use twist grip shifters.
Hypothesis #1: they think people like them better. Aaargh, surely not.
Hypothesis #2: the cable travel to change gears is much greater and therefore a bar end shifter doesn't have enough travel and a downtube style shifter would have >360 degrees of travel. I do think that my Alfine Rapid fire shifter seems to require quite a lengthy bit of thumb travel to upshift.
Hypothesis #3: I'm not knowledgeable enough to make an accurate hypothesis.
I realize it can't work exactly like a normal downtube shifter, but it still seems doable.
If you build a Nexus shifter would it work on an Alfine hub?
I'll show my complete ignorance here by asking a stupid question, but what is the reason that almost all of these use twist grip shifters.
Hypothesis #1: they think people like them better. Aaargh, surely not.
Hypothesis #2: the cable travel to change gears is much greater and therefore a bar end shifter doesn't have enough travel and a downtube style shifter would have >360 degrees of travel. I do think that my Alfine Rapid fire shifter seems to require quite a lengthy bit of thumb travel to upshift.
Hypothesis #3: I'm not knowledgeable enough to make an accurate hypothesis.
