Is a Jamis Coda Sport suitable for drops? HELP
 

I would like to know the possibility of adding drops to my 06 Jamis Coda Sport. Are drops suitable for this bike. Have any of you done this? If so, is the geometry right for this change? Please send photos.

FYI,adding drops also means you'll need to swap out your shifters and brake levers. I'd advise you to get a set of trekking bars:
http://www.rei.com/product/629508

You can keep your current controls,you'll get more hand positions,and it's more comfortable when you're 'in the drops' because your wrists are flat. I absolutely love the ones on my Safari.

I'm not sure what you mean about the geometry question. Are you worried drops will mess up your handling?

The Coda line has a very "road" frame geometry already, so theoretically you would be fine. But it would be a huge hassle; you'd definitely be better off with trekking bars (or just full bar ends! That's what I do, and I'm fine) or buying a used roadie on CL.

Yes. My son has an older Coda Sport; the frame is drilled for road calipers and the published geometry of the bikes with flat and drop bars is the same. I've thought about doing this if he outgrows it (it fits me); the V-brakes require either a device in the brake line to boost the leverage from brifters. Alternately, I can replace the V-brakes with cantilevers or with calipers. Or keep the current controls and brakes and do something else to the handlebars to get other hand positions (bar ends, add jammer bars, moustache or trekking bars).

Consider mustache bars,I just put them on a bike. I like drops better.The mustaches are very good too.

what about using drops (nitto) but putting all the "controls" up top and just using the drop position for sprinting and hills? I have a flat bar roadie too and wondering if thats a viable option?

Changing out shifters and brake levers is no fun. Get bar ends, trekking bars, or aero bars. Heck, get bar ends AND aero bars and you'll practically have a triathlon setup :D

The one thing I am concerned about is the top tube length of the Coda Sport. The top tube is longer than standard roadbike geometry. Adding drops would possibly stretch me out a bit too much. The bike is my size (21.5), and it fits me quite well.

typical responses. I asked a similar question a year ago about making that kind of change to my Specialized Sirrus....Oh yes, it can be done. Below is a picture of my bike and then a picture of a sirrus that someone converted to drop bars. You can visit http://www.touringonbikes.us/jerry's%20bike.htm
To see how he did it. I still want to do this to mine at some point because I love the drop bars and I love that bike. Do what works for you and makes you happy.
http://www.pacfit.com/sirrus05a.jpg

http://www.pacfit.com/jerry5.jpg

You're going to have to swap out the stem anyway (I think), because road drops are 26mm vs flat bar 25.4mm. So, at the same time, maybe get a shorter stem. That will put you in the hoods at about the same reach as if you had straight bar ends. If you buy the stuff from an LBS, they will likely let you experiment with different stem lengths before you settle on one. Most shops have boxes of swapped ones.

Frankly, it's going to cost you probably $300 to do it. That's probably half of what it will cost you to buy an entire used road bike with at least 105 components on it. It'll be lighter too. And then you'll have 2 bikes. Variety is nice.

gulfcoast,

Can I ask why you want to add drop bars? I just bought a Coda Sport for commuting and like it almost as much as my road bike.

Just curious. Not saying you shouldn't do it.

Lastplace,
My Jamis Coda Sport is great. I did alot of research and test road many bikes before choosing this one. I am fairly new to road cycling. I was previously just a casual mountain bike rider. My plan was to buy a bike that could do it all. I wanted speed, durability (steel), and security of flat bars ( the only bars I was comfortable on). After riding several weeks, I noticed I natually wanted to flatten out and tuck for speed. I also liked the idea of using my bike for primary transportion other than out town trips. With this in mind I considered the idea of different bar positions and the possibility of drop conversion. I am starting to understand the true function of different bike designs and their primary function. With this revelation and the feedback of this forum, My Jamis Coda Sport is best as it is designed(flat bars). I have decided to not alter a great bike and possibly get a second road bike.