omari149

Hi everyone

I'm trying to get drop bars on my Hybrid which is a 24 speed Giant escape 2, I've already bought some drop bars to start the conversion, and I was wandering what shifters would you recommend I get for this bike. I have searched around a bit on amazon and found Shimano SL-BS64 Ultegra Bar End Shifter Set (8-Speed), are these compatible with this bike and can they fit in the drop bars I have pictured below? any other advice on what I would need to get for this conversion would be greatly appreciated and thanks.

John_V 

Bar end shifters were originally designed for areo bars but I guess that you can put them on the end of drop bars. I have seen several people that ride that way. My only concern is that, unless you are riding in the drops, you have to keep moving your hands to the drops in order to shift. As for the shifter/brake levers, I would imagine that either the Shimano 2400 or Sora STI shifters would work. I would take that question to a bike shop mech unless someone on this forum has actually done this before.

Fiery

Looks fine to me. Great thing is that the rear shifter is friction compatible - if anything goes wrong with your wheel or dérailleur that would make the indexing go off while you're on a ride, you'll still have the ability to shift.


Bar end shifters were used for decades before aerobars came along; they were an improvement on downtube shifters as far as ergonomics go.

Shimano 8-speed road STI shifters would work with the rear dérailleur, but not the front. Campagnolo Ergo shifters would actually be a better option, but still quite expensive for not that much gain.

omari149

Thanks guys for both of your inputs. The two reasons why I chose bar end shifters over the other designs is because they arent as expensive and they look easier and safer to operate since your hands will always be on the drop bars.

@Fiery I wont be able to get the Campagnolo Ergo shifters right now, and if the Shimano 8-speed road STI shifters dont work well with the front dérailleur after multiple tuning and testing then I'll just get another front dérailleur.

while I was searching around to see the Shimano 2400 and Sora STI shifters I came across this Shimano FD-M412 Alivio Dual Front Derailleur.
Would this new dérailleur be compatible with the shimano 8 speed road STI shifters?

omari149

I finally came across a good deal on craigslist that involved a parts lot that included drop bars, clip pedals, brake levers, cables and housing, and 1 brake caliper all for $10. so I installed the drop bars from the parts lot and its compatible with my original stem. Would Shimano grip shifters fit on these drop bars?

zbo2amt

I love this idea. A lot of the snooty bike crowd will poo-poo the idea, but I am looking for the right hybrid bike to put drop bars on myself.

As for the grip shifters, I would rather go with STI since you will have the drop bars on. There are several shifter options that you can choose from, in all ranges of price. Ask on the mechanics page about what STI is compatible. And you are right, it would be easy and cheap to change out the FD.

Barend shifters would work, most likely. Again, run the components by the mechanic page to make sure. But I would think that the barends are just a temporary thing. Once you get the STI and are able to shift where you keep your hands most of the time, you won't want to go back to the drops to do it.

Make sure to post pics of the progress and good luck!

omari149

Thank you sir for your input

omari149

Well Zbo2amt, just about all the bike shops recommended I sale or trade it in for a road bike with drop bars and that the conversion would cost more than the bike itself. Well I bought it brand new from Kozy's but I've been using it every day since. So the parts I need don't have to be brand new because the bike isn't brand new anymore, and I'm basically recycling instead of wasting it in some way. The most I spent on this conversion to date is $10 so I think I'm doing well with the cost. I think I will order a pair of grip shifters for the bars because they are a cheaper choice and plus I saw someone on this board that uses grip shifters on their drop bars.

zbo2amt

I guess it just really depends on what you want to do with the bike. If you only ride roads and long, then the road bike would probably make you happier in the long run.

But here are some reasons I want to do it:
- it's going to be used as a commuter
- I may want to attach fenders to it
- I don't want to be relegated to tarmac only
- want to run different width tires
- may want to attach a rack to it
- possibly do some light touring

Not to say there are some bikes out there that may do it better, but let's be honest, you can get a hybrid that can do all of the above with decent components for a decent price. And as much as I would like a solid mtb, a durable cross bike, a fast road bike, a strong tourer and a stylish city bike, I can only afford 1 bike. Uno. Singularo. So I think a hybrid with drop bars can do most of that. (and don't freak out people, I know it won't handle anything other than smooth singletrack or cinder trails). And no matter what the market says is an "attractive price point," anything over $600 for a bike is a lot of freaking money.

Just decide what you want to do with it and make it work. Don't worry about what everyone else thinks is the "right" way or bike to ride. Look at those dedicated cyclists out there who have been riding all their lives. What do they ride? Ugly beasts that they've rigged to be perfect for their style of riding. You see pics of them and think how anyone would be seen dead on that thing, but they love it. Have your own personal beast, be it something fugly or a sleek 12-pound, carbon speed demon of a road bike. But get what best suits you and your style of riding.

omari149

your absolutely right and this is true.

omgitsdose

This is my first post here but i totally agree. I ended up doing the same thing, putting dropbars on my hybrid, and used shimano bar-end shifters, and as inconvenient it may seem to always move to the drops to shift, i'm loving it! It made the ride much more comfortable to ride long distances.

giantcfr1

I love a good project. Looking forward to more progress pics. I hope Santa is kind to you to expediate your progress.

edit:
Just a thought, you could also concider a set of auxilary brake levers. They help if you ride in the city as you can hold the top of the bars and also brake safer (in my view) in traffic.

jbchybridrider 

Cyclocross levers are a great idea as giant suggests, there's noting I can add that hasnt already been suggested but its great to see something non trek related on here. Nice bikes but I'll pay for that wont I.

giantcfr1

You are in hot water mate. Better lay low for a while.

omari149

Of course more pics are coming when my brifters arrive from amazon. I bought the Shimano ST-2303 3x8sp STI set, front/rear and they should be here after Christmas but before new years I hope.

I've seen the auxiliary brake lever setup before but I am a bit confused on how its setup since you have brake levers already configured to the front and rear wheels, what I'm unsure of is how the auxiliary brakes are connected, but when I get more funds I'll look into buying the auxiliary brakes they seem like a smart and safe investment.

curly666

Here's a link from Park tools about installing safty levers, not hard at all. I've ridden flat bars for years and then went to drop bars but was always afraid in a panic braking situation I would still go for brake levers where they were on the flat bar. So putting these on makes me feel more secure about braking, I can go to either position.

https://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-...s-cross-levers

omari149

[QUOTE=giantcfr1;13626769]I love a good project. Looking forward to more progress pics. I hope Santa is kind to you to expediate your progress.

edit:
Just a thought, you could also concider a set of auxilary brake levers. They help if you ride in the city as you can hold the top of the bars and also brake safer (in my view) in traffic.

Here are a few progress pictures you asked for. I ended up with the Shimano ST2303 8x3

giantcfr1

Wonderful to see. What's your plan for completion, are you in a hurry or is this a winter project? I wish I had a project on.

omari149

Its both actually I'm trying to get it done so when spring comes around it will be ready.

omgitsdose

Looking great so far. Where did you pick up the set of 8x3 brifters? I love my bar end shifters, but i think eventually i may want to move up to those.

omgitsdose

also, did you need to get those pully's to get the brake levers to work with your breaks?

omari149

no i want to get center pull brakes for it, there was always a problem with the v brakes anyway. here are some updated pics.

omari149

its finished and fully functional gears, brakes everything works

giantcfr1

Congratulations on the completion. It looks great.

omgitsdose

Looking REAL good!