Tandem Tom

I am considering LHT's for my wife and I. As they come with drop handle bars I was wondering about something. If we were to convert them to flat or moustache bars how would this affect the fit/sixing?
Presently we tour on a tandem but would like to consider another option. Actually my wife would like a better view than my backside!!
I have been following the other thread about the LHT but did want to hijack it.
Thanks!

areyouolsen

I read this and started thinking about switching out my handlebars. I then promptly ran into this blog some dude wrote about his LHT with some North Road bars.

Here you go:
https://www.ecovelo.info/2008/09/28/north-road-bars/

Cheers!

Tandem Tom

Thanks!

Bandera

I'm not familiar w/ the LHT but I have converted to moustache bars on my International for "town" use.
Attached pics show the fit difference between "town" & "rando-ish" builds. Same TT length w/ less drop, reach, wider saddle and foot retention on the moustache equipped bike.
Those bars are great for pootling about but I wouldn't want to spend much more than an hour in that position.
I'm doing further mods on the Soma to make it a better brevet/century machine for me but position will remain unchanged.

-Bandera

kingsqueak

I would talk you into considering adjusting the bars higher vs going to flat bars. Just get them up where they are comfortable. You have so many more positions to use with drops.

If you build them or have them built vs buying the "complete" the steerer tube can remain uncut and you have a ton of leeway for bar positioning and also bar choices. Shallow drop bars, raised up, as one example.

There's a bit of expense going to a flat conversion because you will need different levers and either thumbies or new shifters.

That aside, people do flat bar LHTs pretty frequently and the geometry consideration might be a bit longer top tube than usual simply because you are reaching less forward than in the hooks of the drops. If you judge your size based on being on the flats of drop bars, the sizing would be the same.

Look here

bikemig 

No. 1, moustache bars, in my experience, are not good for long distance riding. If you don't like drop bars, I'd go for the butterfly handlebars that are popular in Europe. There are probably pretty good reasons why so many long distance tourists gravitate towards one of these two style bars. I prefer drops for touring but I'd try out the butterfly bars before trying something like moustache and/or north road bars. The advantage of drops and butterfly bars is multiple hand positions and that is a really big deal on a long ride.

Barrettscv 

+1

Flat bar bikes tend to have longer top-tubes than drop-bar bikes like the LHT. If a user took a drop bar LHT that fit properly and was to convert it to a flat bar bike, they would like need to add a longer stem to keep the same reach.

I would test ride a LHT (or a drop-bar touring bike like the LHT) with drop bars. I would also try a flat bar bike that fits properly just to see what feels more comfortable. Ideally, you could also try a butterfly handlebar bike.

kris7047th

This is my new Trek 520 51c. I too needed the bars up higher and back towards me. My LBS friend suggested that he replace the stem with a Ritchey adjustable stem (which was done) I plan on having cross brakes installed later on. I really like this set up as it gives me a variety of ways to grip.

I was thinking of going with the LHT, but I am so glad that I have the Trek 520 instead as the 51c has the 700c tires, instead of 26".

fietsbob

Tom , the top tube length, fot your chosen frame size, is what it is ,

you buy frame and fork and they ship your fork-steerer un cut.

Then stem choice and its height is where you adjust for what reach you like Best.

OTOH, working back from a built bike, the Steerer tube is precut as it's built up and boxed in TW.