JooDude

Hello everyone. I was considering the virtue 7 https://www.virtuebike.com/bicycles/2013-virtue-seven

but i'm not a fan of the bars. I hope this is the right section to ask The bike is relatively inexpensive at 350$. I will be using it for school and work and some weekend travel. I wanted to ask if itd be possible to convert this bike to drop bars. And considering the shifters i was wondering if i could use downtube shifters rather than brifters for a more classic look.

Am i Looking at a big investment? Everything will be done by myself as i have some good bike knowledge. Im just not sure about the conversion.

umazuki

In general, yeah, this is one of those things that could be expensive. For the shifters, you might be able to mount that little doohickey on the top of the drop bar, or switch to bar-end shifters. Brifters would definitely be expensive, and I don't think DT shifters are an option for that frame (I don't see any drill holes for them).


But what I'd be worried about is the brakes - those are V-brakes, which use a different amount of cable pull than caliper brakes. I know Cane Creek makes drop bar levers for V-brakes, but 99% of the levers out there are for caliper brakes.


It's probably cheaper to find a bike that comes the way you want it out-of-the-box.

dynaryder

In addition to the bar,you'll also need a new stem(for the different diameter bar,and to make up for the reach difference). Because that bike comes with V brakes,you'll either need to convert to cantilever brakes,get drop bar levers that are long pull(rare),or install Problem Solver's Travel Agents(https://problemsolversbike.com/products/travel_agents/). The shifter could easily be converted to a barcon(bar-end).

It is doable,but you will need to size the bike keeping in mind that you're going to do a drop bar conversion(shorter toptube),and at $350,be prepared to add at least 35-50% to the original cost. Personally,I would get a drop bar bike instead. This bike costs a good bit more,but it at least gives you an idea of what's out there.

JooDude

Ive looked at bikesdirect/linus/public/rei/performancebikes/and some used bikes. Anything in my budget of what I want is north of 500. With 500 being my budget I reckon i can do this conversion in that price range. 150 for the conversion puts me around 500.

At this point im trying to find frame specs on the virtue

Though, if anyone knows where i can get a bike with drop bars for 500 that has 14speeds, fenders and a straight top tube (i dont like the modern slopping top tubes) Id be happy to jump on it. Color is also an issue, id prefer a solid color with little to no graphics

LansingWes

Have you tried contacting the manufacturer? It will (of course) be cheaper to do the labor yourself but they might be able to give you some tips or insights and recommendations.

dynaryder

Craigslist/eBay. Plenty of nice older road bikes out there. You'll prolly have to add fenders,but they will fit the bill.

JooDude

As in a vintage bike? I already have one and I would want another for what I'm looking for. But I have browsed for other used bikes to no avail.

fietsbob

Can't figure it out ?, a Bike shop can do the work for you then you just make the money
doing what you do best and pay them.

we can talk about stuff though..

dynaryder

Not necessarily vintage. There's some late '90's and even early '00's drop bar bikes out there for $500 or less. Just have to keep looking.