Show us your drop-conversion!
10-11-11, 10:14 PM
#51
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clever clever clever.
if you were to do it again, would you put the shifters in the same place? i would think that near the brakes (but still on the side) would be more accessible...what was your thought process in making that decision?
if you were to do it again, would you put the shifters in the same place? i would think that near the brakes (but still on the side) would be more accessible...what was your thought process in making that decision?
10-11-11, 10:17 PM
#52
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10-12-11, 05:15 AM
#53
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My reasoning was, that they are attached to the bar just like on the flats, but at a 90deg angle. Also, the diameter of drop bars is a few cm larger than flats, (I did not know that), so you cannot put it over the bar (which is what I orriginally intended to do). However, it is surprisingly easy to shift. If i did it again, I would probably put them in the same place, although if I had money, I would get bar end shifters which are only $60.
Cheers
Cheers
10-12-11, 06:20 AM
#54
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tchen510, thanks for posting those pics. Interesting placement of the shifters. I originally wanted to do the same as you (just put the shifters on drops but yeah since they're different diameter... can't do it). Looks like you have a pretty nice work area there.
10-22-11, 01:20 PM
#55
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10-29-11, 12:22 AM
#56
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it's happened....my room mate has finally switched from teasing me about spending the time and money to convert to drops, to finally admitting he wants them 
i have to admit though, i recommended he sell his 3 month old hybrid when he's sure and buy a roadie....honestly, as much as i like my bike, that's what i should have done.
i have to admit though, i recommended he sell his 3 month old hybrid when he's sure and buy a roadie....honestly, as much as i like my bike, that's what i should have done.
10-29-11, 08:33 AM
#57
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02-09-12, 05:28 AM
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Please post all drop conversion pictures, updates and information here. Just joking, been going through some of these pictures, and thought of bringing this thread back to life. Richard : )
02-09-12, 10:00 PM
#63
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I can't believe I haven't posted in here yet. Glad this thread got pulled from the dead.
Here it is as it sits (without all the touring racks on)
Here it is as it sits (without all the touring racks on)
02-10-12, 06:43 AM
#64
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I am sort of planning to do this to my bike later this year. I'd like to use brifters, and I've read that they can be used with mini-V brakes. Anybody have any experience with mini-Vs? Or would I be better off going to cantis?
Other than that, I'm planning to go to a full Tiagra drivetrain, including changing out my current triple front crank for a double.
Other than that, I'm planning to go to a full Tiagra drivetrain, including changing out my current triple front crank for a double.
02-10-12, 09:42 AM
#65
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I am sort of planning to do this to my bike later this year. I'd like to use brifters, and I've read that they can be used with mini-V brakes. Anybody have any experience with mini-Vs? Or would I be better off going to cantis?
Other than that, I'm planning to go to a full Tiagra drivetrain, including changing out my current triple front crank for a double.
Other than that, I'm planning to go to a full Tiagra drivetrain, including changing out my current triple front crank for a double.
They will both work fine. But unless you're buying like 300 dollar V-brakes, the Canti's will be much better value for the cost. I started the conversion by using bar-ends and Long pull levers so I didn't have to mess with the brakes. I realize now, just doing it all at once would have been easier. but it's ok. As mentioned above, I'll be doing it one more time on this bike in about a month when I move to 105 black.
02-10-12, 09:48 AM
#66
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02-10-12, 09:51 AM
#67
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Seems like you have been paying attention... Or I have mentioned it enough times from excitement everybody is typing to themselves "We know already". Yes, when my Force group arrives for the Carbon SL, this Giant inherits all of it's goodness, since I just did the Allez in Rival and won't need the 5700.
02-10-12, 09:56 AM
#68
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02-10-12, 11:43 AM
#69
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02-12-12, 01:33 AM
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Cool that people still are working on their bikes in order to get them right! Since tuning and upgrading can lead to many exciting non-industrial innovations, I still think this (or re-started) thread should be a sticky.
02-20-12, 02:31 PM
#71
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Some nice work on those machines!
One thing I noticed was that although there were a few ergo bars in there, the drop bars all seemed to be pretty deep. Not a criticism, just curiosity. Was this a choice based on personal preference, what was already available, or because those latest compact drops just didn't do it for you?
One thing I noticed was that although there were a few ergo bars in there, the drop bars all seemed to be pretty deep. Not a criticism, just curiosity. Was this a choice based on personal preference, what was already available, or because those latest compact drops just didn't do it for you?
02-20-12, 03:06 PM
#72
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Some nice work on those machines!
One thing I noticed was that although there were a few ergo bars in there, the drop bars all seemed to be pretty deep. Not a criticism, just curiosity. Was this a choice based on personal preference, what was already available, or because those latest compact drops just didn't do it for you?
One thing I noticed was that although there were a few ergo bars in there, the drop bars all seemed to be pretty deep. Not a criticism, just curiosity. Was this a choice based on personal preference, what was already available, or because those latest compact drops just didn't do it for you?
02-20-12, 03:13 PM
#73
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It's done!
BEFORE:
AFTER:
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).
BEFORE:
AFTER:
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).
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02-20-12, 05:19 PM
#74
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Actually the bars on Andrew's Specialized are too, and they've got a really short reach and stem to boot! Think I was just expecting to see those in the majority rather than the minority for some reason.
Will be putting something similar on my own road machine later this summer. Its a big change from the bars on my '88 Miyata but so's the rest of the bike and test drives at the shop have pretty much convinced me that a compact bar and brifters work well together.
02-21-12, 12:29 AM
#75
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Some nice work on those machines!
One thing I noticed was that although there were a few ergo bars in there, the drop bars all seemed to be pretty deep. Not a criticism, just curiosity. Was this a choice based on personal preference, what was already available, or because those latest compact drops just didn't do it for you?
One thing I noticed was that although there were a few ergo bars in there, the drop bars all seemed to be pretty deep. Not a criticism, just curiosity. Was this a choice based on personal preference, what was already available, or because those latest compact drops just didn't do it for you?