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Conversion from Road Bike to Flatbar Roadbike

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Conversion from Road Bike to Flatbar Roadbike

Old 09-09-05, 06:32 PM
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Can anyone help me?
I have just purchased my first roadbike (53yrs of age, talked into it by the youngster in bikeshop) and find it not all that comfortable after 50kms (back starts to suffer) so have decided to turn it into a flatbar racer. It's equipped with 9x2 spd Ultegra components. I have some Sram 9.0 brake levers that should do the job in that department but need to know what sort of shifter pods I should buy to be compatible with my componentry. Any info would be appreciated.

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Old 09-09-05, 06:35 PM
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Why don't you give it some more time and maybe try raising the bars before throwing money at it?
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Old 09-09-05, 06:46 PM
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I've got an Avanti hybrid that I ride to work which is extremely comfy. The reason I bought this roady is that I wanted more speed for recreational riding, which I think is what I've got. I'm happy with the bike itself but need to be more upright. Also I have a short body but bloody long legs which makes me lean over more.......
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Old 09-09-05, 06:52 PM
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Have a very short upright stem on the bike (asked the bike shop to change it not long after i got it) and have tilted the bars up, so much so that I get some odd questions asked as to this positioning.....
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Old 09-09-05, 07:52 PM
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Originally Posted by lynrick
Have a very short upright stem on the bike (asked the bike shop to change it not long after i got it) and have tilted the bars up, so much so that I get some odd questions asked as to this positioning.....
I had problems with hands, shoulders and balance until I reported this on this forum.
My bike is a Cannondale R2000 which is NOT known for comfort.

The solution was to raise the drop bars 3 or more inches. Now the bars are about level with the saddle. Next I installed Aero Bars for reduced wind resistance and to get the weight off my hands. This made all the difference in the world. I am now very comfortable and much faster. It is amazing how little weight is now on my saddle.
Most of my weight seems now to be on my legs balanced with my elbows on the Aero Bars.
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Old 09-09-05, 08:08 PM
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I think it is /normal/ to think a first road bike doesn't fit. I can't think of anything more UNCOMFORTABLE than a flat bar bike. My guess is that you have fit issues.

The trouble with being more upright, is that over long distances your bum will be killing you, since your weight will be on it. Also with flat bars, your wrists will hurt. I could go on and on... but all the features of so-called comfort bikes are all ironically named.

Work on your fit and give it more time before throwing more money at it.
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Old 09-09-05, 08:16 PM
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Originally Posted by will dehne
I had problems with hands, shoulders and balance until I reported this on this forum.
My bike is a Cannondale R2000 which is NOT known for comfort.

The solution was to raise the drop bars 3 or more inches. Now the bars are about level with the saddle. Next I installed Aero Bars for reduced wind resistance and to get the weight off my hands. This made all the difference in the world. I am now very comfortable and much faster. It is amazing how little weight is now on my saddle.
Most of my weight seems now to be on my legs balanced with my elbows on the Aero Bars.

Spose I could always turn the bars upsidedown! That'ed get me upright! Thanks for the suggestion but I definately think my body is more suited to a MTB style, (why the youngster who sold me the bike told me down the track that I had a women's body. Don't expect he meant any offense, and lucky I didn't take any......).

Determined to create flatbar racer!
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