Curved handle bars..?
#1
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Le Tour
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Curved handle bars..?
I have a hybrid type cycle with a flat handle bar. Is it possible to put a curved handle bar that drops down like the road bikes and put the existing brake levers and such on the new handle bar?
#3
The bars you're referring to are commonly called "drop bars"
To make a conversion you'd need to get a drop bar that is the same clamp diameter as your current stem. Then you need road brake levers and barcon shifters or brifters (brake+shifter). I assume the bike currently has v-brakes so if you wanted to still use those you'd need a travel adjuster to adjust the cable pull from the road brake levers.
You'd probably want some bar tape too
To make a conversion you'd need to get a drop bar that is the same clamp diameter as your current stem. Then you need road brake levers and barcon shifters or brifters (brake+shifter). I assume the bike currently has v-brakes so if you wanted to still use those you'd need a travel adjuster to adjust the cable pull from the road brake levers.
You'd probably want some bar tape too
#4
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Originally Posted by cycle life
I have a hybrid type cycle with a flat handle bar. Is it possible to put a curved handle bar that drops down like the road bikes and put the existing brake levers and such on the new handle bar?
Your brake and shift levers won't work with drop bars and the shifters are one of the most expensive to buy components on the bike. I didn't take the time to price it out, but you're easily talking about a $200.00+ project if you have a shop do it.
#7
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The thing is drop handlebars are generally a single unit, so you can't just mount the drops onto the ends of your flat bars. You may be able to keep your current brake levers and shifters, but simply locate them on the top of the drop bars, but only if you find drops that are the same diameter tubing as your current bars are. I'm not sure if anyone makes these. You'll still want to be riding up on the "flats" of the bars (like how you are riding now, only narrower) if you can manage this setup, but you will be able to use the drops to get out of the wind, which is why I assume you want to do this.
I saw a hardtail mountain bike with drop bars a while ago. Was too busy staring to stop and ask the owner about them before I road by. My assumption would be that they built the bike up from the frame, using road bike shifters, brake levers, and compatible brakes (didn't see if they were disc or V or cantilever or what).
I saw a hardtail mountain bike with drop bars a while ago. Was too busy staring to stop and ask the owner about them before I road by. My assumption would be that they built the bike up from the frame, using road bike shifters, brake levers, and compatible brakes (didn't see if they were disc or V or cantilever or what).
#8
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#9
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Le Tour
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From: Chicago
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Originally Posted by OregonXC
the reason I want to do this is ao i can have some variations in body position.
Are there more such road bar ends available?
And where can i purchase the origin?
#10
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#11
If you decide that you want different brake levers and you have v-brakes, you will either need travel adjusters (as stated above) or alternatively, a specific type of brake lever are called Dia-Compe 287-v's. These are currently (to the best of my knowledge) the only drop bar brake levers that have enough pull to work with v-brakes without using a big, bulky travel agent thing on yor brakes.
#12
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Le Tour
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Originally Posted by OregonXC
#13
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Le Tour
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From: Chicago
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Originally Posted by M_S
The thing is drop handlebars are generally a single unit, so you can't just mount the drops onto the ends of your flat bars. You may be able to keep your current brake levers and shifters, but simply locate them on the top of the drop bars, but only if you find drops that are the same diameter tubing as your current bars are. I'm not sure if anyone makes these. You'll still want to be riding up on the "flats" of the bars (like how you are riding now, only narrower) if you can manage this setup, but you will be able to use the drops to get out of the wind, which is why I assume you want to do this.
#14
On drop bars 90% of the time you hold the brake lever hoods, which aren't actually part of the bar. It would be pointless to add those drop bar extensions to your flat bar, since they would be so wide as to negate any aerodynamic advantage. You might want to look at clip-on aerobars if you're looking for an aerodynamic fix. Maybe even switching completely to bullhorns if your current shifters can fit!
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#15
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Originally Posted by blickblocks
On drop bars 90% of the time you hold the brake lever hoods, which aren't actually part of the bar. It would be pointless to add those drop bar extensions to your flat bar, since they would be so wide as to negate any aerodynamic advantage. You might want to look at clip-on aerobars if you're looking for an aerodynamic fix. Maybe even switching completely to bullhorns if your current shifters can fit!
#16
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The aerodynamic potential of a flat bar with the curved drop extentions would be lesser than that of a true drop bar, but remember the rider will be able to get his torso into a slightly more aero position; which will count for something. Besides, he's more interested in variable positions for comfort.
#17
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Originally Posted by cycle life
the reason I want to do this is ao i can have some variations in body position.
Are there more such road bar ends available?
Are there more such road bar ends available?

Image clipped from Sheldon Brown's site.
They can be set up in various configurations. The image above has them with road brakes set up similar to mustache bars. You can also put the brakes on the bottom of the bars which would be the easier set up for mnt brakes.
#18
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Those bar ends look interesting, I didn't know anyone made anything like that.
I agree that unless you have rally wide shoulders you'll probably want to make your flat bars narrower, but that's accomplished easily enough.
I agree that unless you have rally wide shoulders you'll probably want to make your flat bars narrower, but that's accomplished easily enough.
#21
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old 3-speed bikes often came with curved bars that had had the right clamp and grip diameters for "flat bar" stems, shiftes and brake levers. I flipped the bars so that they became like moustache bars with a slight drop and put grip shifters/MTB levers on the grip area. It worked really well, the only drawback was the weight, since these bars typically only came in the chrome plated steel variety.
#22
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A complete conversion will require, at a minimum (and this is assuming you can find a drop bar with a 25.4mm clamp diamter):
New brake levers: $60 (287v)
Bar end shifters: $30?
Handlebars: $highly variable.
If you want to go with brifters:
Handlebars: $highly variable.
Brifters: $200
If you can't find a 25.4mm clamp drop bar, look at an additional $30 or so for the new stem, if you go cheap.
My concern with those origin 8 clamp on drops is how well they can support you, and how rigid will they be, being simply a clamp on bar end.
You may want to look into trekking/butterfly bars, like Allen G suggested. All of your hardware will work with those, and lots of people like them.
New brake levers: $60 (287v)
Bar end shifters: $30?
Handlebars: $highly variable.
If you want to go with brifters:
Handlebars: $highly variable.
Brifters: $200
If you can't find a 25.4mm clamp drop bar, look at an additional $30 or so for the new stem, if you go cheap.
My concern with those origin 8 clamp on drops is how well they can support you, and how rigid will they be, being simply a clamp on bar end.
You may want to look into trekking/butterfly bars, like Allen G suggested. All of your hardware will work with those, and lots of people like them.
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#23
Originally Posted by OregonXC
What may be pointless to you, may work for someone else. They work well for offering variation in body positions, as stated by the OP. If the flat bar seems too wide, cut it. Its a cheap, solid way to get a drop position without much change to the bike.
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#24
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Originally Posted by blickblocks
Did you even read the rest of my post? I gave him 2 solid alternatives that would also be cheap. Adding aerobars is probably the best option, especially if he already has mtb bar ends.






