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-   -   Show us your drop-conversion! (https://www.bikeforums.net/hybrid-bicycles/766933-show-us-your-drop-conversion.html)

BarracksSi 09-17-11 10:58 PM

I consider "special tools" to be tools that I don't own yet. ;)

Well, when I did mine, I used some Allen wrenches and cable housing cutters. The Park Tool cutters I have also have a spot for crimping the cable end caps.

I think that's it. Oh, and scissors for the bartape.

AlphaDogg 09-17-11 11:02 PM


Originally Posted by monkeydentity (Post 13209936)
blue dada dee dabba dai...

I think I got the reference. :D


surfrider 09-19-11 09:07 AM

2 Attachment(s)
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=219419

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=219418

Posted these before, but this is a 2006 Trek FX 7.3 I converted last year. Bar-end shifters, non-aero brake levers used because I had them already. Much more comfy to me than a flat bar. Actually did a lot more than just the drop bars (new crank, new BB, new wheels, new brakes) because there was a lot of good post-Chirstmas sales last year, and most of the parts on the Trek were worn out after 5 years.

monkeydentity 09-19-11 06:45 PM


Originally Posted by BarracksSi (Post 13241966)
I consider "special tools" to be tools that I don't own yet. ;)

Well, when I did mine, I used some Allen wrenches and cable housing cutters. The Park Tool cutters I have also have a spot for crimping the cable end caps.

I think that's it. Oh, and scissors for the bartape.

I meant for the WHOLE conversion...but mine has really spun out of control(all new drivetrain), so it's probably time for me to start asking questions in the mech forum :P

Sixty Fiver 09-19-11 06:53 PM

1 Attachment(s)
Once I acquired the Moulden the Trek 7500 became redundant and whereas the Trek was an awesome bike, the handbuilt Moulden is even better. The rigid steel Moulden curbs out at 5 pounds less than the Aluminium Trek (also rigid).

http://www.bikeforums.net/attachment...1&d=1316314522

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=219481

BarracksSi 09-19-11 07:02 PM


Originally Posted by monkeydentity (Post 13249839)
I meant for the WHOLE conversion...but mine has really spun out of control(all new drivetrain), so it's probably time for me to start asking questions in the mech forum :P

Ah, ok --

Well, one tool I forgot to mention is a "third hand" tool. It keeps tension on the derailleur or brake cable when you're tightening its fixing bolt.

Are you replacing the crank, too, then? ;)

Fiery 09-20-11 03:14 PM


Originally Posted by javal (Post 13204901)
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=218180 A drop bar hybrid. Bought in 2002, converted 2010.

It's like an inversion of my old bike colour-wise:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4.../Photo0207.jpg


Originally Posted by monkeydentity (Post 13206935)
i'm happy to see that the outcomes tend to look natural, not like a weird boxy frame with drops slapped on top...of course, n=4 (so far) Everyone seems to like an upward sloping stem..is that because you don't want to lose the upright-ish position?

MORE PICS! :)

My current main ride has the stem flipped:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4.../Photo0381.jpg

Once the new handlebar arrives I might lose a 5mm spacer too.

Doohickie 09-20-11 03:36 PM

My faux LHT:

I went from this (1994 Nishiki Sport XRS)
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...Picture022.jpg

to this
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...S/DSC00179.jpg

Hint: If you decide to route your shifter cables under the handlebar tape, you may need a tandem shifter cable to get the length you need.

monkeydentity 09-20-11 08:33 PM


Originally Posted by Fiery (Post 13254102)
My current main ride has the stem flipped:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4.../Photo0381.jpg

Once the new handlebar arrives I might lose a 5mm spacer too.

Is(was) that a hybrid!? That looks great! very aggressive looking. Are those ultegra components?

mcgreivey 09-20-11 11:25 PM

2002 Sirrus A1

$0 drop bars from my old Windsor
$35 shorter stem
$20 Tektro v-brake levers for drop bars
$25 SunTour Command shifters, later changed to $10 modified (so they would work on drop bars) Shimano triggers, them most recently a Command shifter for the FD and a trigger for the RD (see below)

Let's call that $100, with cables and bar tape.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3629/...b66669eb13.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2434/...e946bdf750.jpg

Later, I put fenders on it it, and had to switch the FD from a Shimano MTB model to a Sora, so that the fenders would fit. That meant I couldn't use the modified trigger shifter for the the FD anymore, so I went back to using a Command shifter for it. So adding fenders was:
$40 for the denders
$5 for the FD
$0 shifter

But that doesn't count as part of the drop conversion, really.

Fiery 09-21-11 08:15 AM


Originally Posted by monkeydentity (Post 13255454)
Is(was) that a hybrid!? That looks great! very aggressive looking. Are those ultegra components?

Thanks :) It's a 2010 Stevens Strada 600. Comes stock with a flat handlebar and full Shimano Tiagra drivetrain including Mavic CXP-22 road wheels with Tiagra hubs. The Stevens Strada series could be considered flat bar road bikes in the vein of the Trek FX series, for example.

Shifters, derailleurs and cassete have been replaced with Shimano 105 for the conversion, the rest is stock Tiagra. The only Ultegra component is the chain :)

monkeydentity 10-08-11 10:59 AM

It's done!

BEFORE:
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b8cb02b701.jpg


AFTER:
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...02d0a1e416.jpg


All new drivetrain, same old brakes but with travel agents, 105 5603 shifters and crank. Still fine-tuning things, the brakes aren't quite perfect, the front deraileur is a little sticky, and I can't figure out where my seat should be (might need a shorter stem). Overall very happy, noticeable faster on all terrain owing to the aerodynamic improvement and I really think the crank (gearing) and bottom bracket (much smoother).

Sirrus Rider 10-10-11 10:23 AM


Originally Posted by monkeydentity (Post 13336383)
It's done!

BEFORE:
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/a...photocopy3.jpg

AFTER:
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/a...tity/drops.jpg
All new drivetrain, same old brakes but with travel agents, 105 5603 shifters and crank. Still fine-tuning things, the brakes aren't quite perfect, the front deraileur is a little sticky, and I can't figure out where my seat should be (might need a shorter stem). Overall very happy, noticeable faster on all terrain owing to the aerodynamic improvement and I really think the crank (gearing) and bottom bracket (much smoother).


Did you keep the oem stem???

javal 10-10-11 10:48 AM

Whether you like it or not, but theres a lot of great looking conversion here! Maybe a new sticky "Conversions"?

Sixty Fiver 10-10-11 10:58 AM


Originally Posted by monkeydentity (Post 13336383)
It's done!

Looks great... also wonder about the change in reach as it looks like you retained the same stem and the hoods on the new levers sit much farther forward than your old bar ends.

monkeydentity 10-10-11 01:05 PM

yeah...has the old stem and it's LONG. But, I was always pushing the seat back with the flat bars, i'm gonna give it a week and see if the reach is really too far, then will likely get a new shorter stem. Look at how the seat is shifted in synch with the hand position.

just beat my old 10mi time (3 laps around prospect park) by FOUR MINUTES! this feels like a whole new bike :D

Sirrus Rider 10-10-11 02:52 PM


Originally Posted by monkeydentity (Post 13344249)
yeah...has the old stem and it's LONG. But, I was always pushing the seat back with the flat bars, i'm gonna give it a week and see if the reach is really too far, then will likely get a new shorter stem. Look at how the seat is shifted in synch with the hand position.

just beat my old 10mi time (3 laps around prospect park) by FOUR MINUTES! this feels like a whole new bike :D

Any problems with the drops hitting the top tube? That is one of the issues I have with my Sirrus DBC.

monkeydentity 10-10-11 03:16 PM


Originally Posted by Sirrus Rider (Post 13344817)
Any problems with the drops hitting the top tube? That is one of the issues I have with my Sirrus DBC.

I cannot imagine any situation that would involve my top tube and handlebars touching...If such a situation DID arise, I think that would be the least of my problems.

so, no.

Sixty Fiver 10-10-11 03:58 PM

Seeing these makes me want to find a decent 700c hybrid and refit it with drops and brifters and the biggest tyres I can fit...if I want to go fast on the road I have bikes for that but would like to have an all terrain drop bar hybrid rolling on 29'r wheels.

:D

tchen510 10-10-11 05:02 PM


Originally Posted by monkeydentity (Post 13344249)
yeah...has the old stem and it's LONG. But, I was always pushing the seat back with the flat bars, i'm gonna give it a week and see if the reach is really too far, then will likely get a new shorter stem. Look at how the seat is shifted in synch with the hand position.

Ya, I realized my stem was long, but then decided, that it wasn't that bad, and left it. I think, that it will probably make you more aero also.

monkeydentity 10-10-11 06:56 PM


Originally Posted by tchen510 (Post 13345436)
Ya, I realized my stem was long, but then decided, that it wasn't that bad, and left it. I think, that it will probably make you more aero also.

when i got down in the drops i felt two things i've never felt before on this bike:
1) my knees hitting my belly...dammit....work in progress.
2) the wind petting my back...as it picked up i could hear it get louder, but didn't feel it anywhere except smoothly down my back from my neck to my...shorts. The one thing i DID NOT feel was an increase in resistance. yeah, i think the really low and extended position influenced my ride time in a BIG way.

idc 10-11-11 09:22 AM


Originally Posted by tchen510 (Post 13204970)
I'm too cheap to buy bar-end shifters or STI shifters, so i just put my old ones on the drop-bars, total cost of conversion ~$50 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=218181

I have other photos, but they are too large to upload.
Good luck with your project, and post some pics when you are done

Hang on, how did you do that? You had a flat bar before right? How did you get hoods, brakes, shifters etc on your new drops without buying them? I want to convert my MTB commuter to use drops.

tchen510 10-11-11 12:08 PM

Yes. I had flat bars. I bought brake levers for cheaper, andthen fitted my shifters to the bars via an adapter I made. I will post some pictures when I get home, because it is kind of difficult to explain.

idc 10-11-11 12:13 PM

Cool, thanks. I know regular flat bar shifters won't fit on a drop bar so I'm very curious.

tchen510 10-11-11 04:05 PM

11 Attachment(s)
Here are the photos of the whole process, before and after. As is said in an earlier post, I spent $15 for used bars, $25 for brakes levers that work with V brakes, and some money for new brake cables and bar tape. I did the labor myself, and had to create the shims, with some extra pipe I had laying around, although Lowe's or Home Depot probably has some good piping.

Before: The basic stock bike with flat bars.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=222462http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=222468


During: The bars with brakes attached, and the on the stem, and finally with the homemade adapters in place. I had to shim them to make them fit, and drilled through the whole setup to prevent spinning.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=222465http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=222466 http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=222470http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=222471http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=222472

After: Drops bars. The shifting is surprisingly easy. I taped over the metal with duck tape to make it appear more professional, and then sanded down bar-caps to fit.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=222469http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=222463http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=222464http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=222467

BTW, i taped the bars myself, and had to replace my first attempt, but was fine on round 2. Overall, the labor took maybe three hours, but I had some time in between problem solving. If i did it again, it would take maybe 30mins, since I know what I am doing. :)


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