Switching from drop bar to flatbar setup....advice needed
 

I have a road bike that is equipped with Shimano 105 components and drop down bars...etc. I want to change out the drop bars to flat bars, but I'm not sure which shifters would work. I'm getting conflicting info from the LBS. It's a 2x11 setup and I might switch to a single 11 speed if it's possible without too much trouble. Any advice?

This guy made it work.

http://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycli...onversion.html

(Not to be construed as an endorsement of his aesthetic choices or posting style)

It's a straightforward process if you choose the Shimano SL-RS700 (RapidFire Plus, 11-speed) shifters which match to your 11 speed road components. You'll need short pull brake levers to match your calipers. The handlebar will be new but you may be able to recycle your stem, most likely by inverting it.

You might tempted by great prices on mtb bike components (shifters and levers) but be careful, you can end up switching out derailleurs and having to adapt the braking. So having a good plan and sticking to it is the best route.

If you don't mind my asking, what are you actually trying to achieve with the conversion?

For a relaxed, more upright position, road bike frame is rarely good. I'd much rather change the whole bicycle, than try to make a road bike into a straight bar one. Drop bars are usually more comfortable for riding on paved roads.

I hate the drop bars. I never place my hands on the lower portion. I own three bikes and each one serves a purpose. One beach cruiser, one mountain and now a road bike. I simply don't like the drop bars, but I love the bike otherwise.

I think you might want to consider trading with someone who has a flat bar road bike and wants to switch to drop bars. Seriously.

Alternately, there are drop bars and there are drop bars. Before going to the expense of buying a new set of flat bar road shifters, brake levers, bar, and maybe stem, maybe consider a bar that would allow you to keep your existing brake levers and shifters, like a moustache bar or something similar. Pretty sure you could still use your brifters with these, otherwise, you could try bar end shifters. If I ever get tired of drop bars, I would try something like this.
Nitto RM-016 Moustache Handlebar in Tree Fort Bikes Mustache Bars (cat1425)

I congratulate you on your choice. I too prefer flat bars because it is hard to find the kind of bike I want with flat bars. I converted a Cannondale CAAD 8 to a flat bar (the LBS did the work) and it worked fine. I liked the bike but it felt too small after the conversion. The problem is that the flat bar was closer than the hoods on the drop bar where you would typically ride. Consider replacing the stem in order to extend your bars a few inches. Also, consider riding 28's on your wheels. This will give you the feel and stability of the hybrid without sacrificing much (if any) speed. I much prefer the shifting and braking lever systems on the flat bar vs. the drop bar.

You will want the drop bars if you ride more than 20 miles.

Good point, and definitely a consideration. For some of us, this effective reduction in reach is not a problem that needs solving, it's a solution!

I too prefer the feel and stability of the flat bars, and set mine low enough that my aero position is essentially the same as most drop bar riders on the hoods. So yeah, little to no reduction in performance.

Not true for everybody.

Conclusive proof that the bars are too low and/or too far away.

People hate drop bars because they're too low and/or too far away. Get them up high (something you'll never see on a bike showroom floor) and they are far more comfortable than flat bars, especially on long rides. Not to mention faster.

+1

Careful there; most road bars have a 26.0 mm clamp diameter whereas flat bars come in 25.6 mm.

Doesn't sound like much but a stem clamp is one of the last things you want to fail...

Isn't true for either me or my wife.

I built up both of our road bikes with flat bars and we routinely do 30 - 40 mile morning rides (we are both over 60)...

I have care. I found my flat bar with a 31.8mm bar clamp. That wasn't too tough. I've also got a pair of shims for smaller diameter handlebars.

My point wasn't to take care in the work you do on your own bike, it was for the incomplete advice you were giving here...

I don't have to write righty tightly lefty loosey do I?

Frankly, you're being argumentative. I wrote, "..you may be able to recycle your stem.." and "So having a good plan and sticking to it is the best route."

Would you like to be bird dogged by me?

Friction shift the FD and it should go simpler .. at least Indexed Rear 9 speed road and MTB were compatible .
I havent kept up with the uprgrade-itis Joneses .. :rolleyes:


You do realize you are not the first person to think of this ?,

You Could google (or any other search browser) the phrase,

and the past times this was asked on this very Forum will come Up ..

https://www.google.com/search?q=Swit...hrome&ie=UTF-8

Are you threatening me..?

I wouldn't threaten you, not at your delicate age. Haha

You Seattle Birkenstockers are all talk...

You got me quaking in my boots! No... Wait... quake?

On two separate rides a week apart, both century rides, I rode a drop bar carbon endurance road bike. 100.3 miles and 107 respectively. I never got in the drops once on either ride.

Your statement may hold for your type of riding, but it is not for everyone, just like drops aren't for everyone.

Here's a pic from my daily commute; 66 and sunny today:

Being new on these forums I see that they are like every other web forum I've visited.....lots of opinions and little room for what works best for each rider. I do not like drop bars. I NEVER use the lower portion on 5,10, 20, 40...etc., mile rides. It's simply a matter of comfort to me. Maybe its because I'm short? Who knows, but I just needed some advice on the conversion and had no idea I'd be told what would be more comfortable to me. Thanks to Cal for the advice "It's a straightforward process if you choose the Shimano SL-RS700 (RapidFire Plus, 11-speed) shifters which match to your 11 speed road components. You'll need short pull brake levers to match your calipers. The handlebar will be new but you may be able to recycle your stem, most likely by inverting it." That is exactly what I was looking for. Heading down to my LBS on Monday for a quote. I get free labor so it's a nice parts only deal.

While what you wrote is true, in their own way people are just trying to help you. Drop bars are suggested for long rides because they offer multiple hand positions. When I do centuries I use up to 6 different hand positions. It's kind of like fixed gear VS a geared bike. You can make either work, but having options lets you tailor specific parts of your ride to your comfort better. Getting in the drops on a descent means you fight the wind less, using the flat bar section on climbs can make breathing easier, etc.

I never liked drop bars either, I would only ride flat bar bikes up until a year ago. I kept seeing fast road bikers on their sleek bikes with drop bars and got envious of their speed. Went to a bike shop and got properly fitted on an entry level road bike (Ridley Fenix) and the comfort factor compared to hopping on a non-fitted road bike is astonishing.

So my advice is before you try your conversion, make sure the bike is properly fitted. Who knows? maybe with some adjustments to the seat height, handlebar angles & height etc., you may find your drop bars a lot more comfortable.

If that isn't the case, or you already know 100% for sure your bike is properly fitted, then best of luck getting your flat bar conversion to work for you.