Drop bar ends or drop bar conversion? Cannondale Quick 6
 

Hi all,

I bought a Cannondale Quick 6 a few years ago for a commuter for my college campus. Fast forward to now and I have started using it for longer fitness rides on tarmac. I had cheap wal mart MTB bikes before that had the V type bar ends that were pretty comfortable for longer stretches of riding. I'm trying to mod this Q6 to make it a little more friendly, starting with the handlebars.

I've been reading up on cycling and such and don't know where to start. I want more positions for sure. The flats are good at times, not at others. I'm thinking drops would be good, I don't always like being upright. I haven't found many definitive reviews on drop bar ends (such as these Origin-8's: http://www.amazon.com/Origin-Bicycle.../dp/B0013G6PB8) or if I should just pony up and do a full drop bar conversion.

Any other advice such as handlebar geometry help and such works too. I'm just getting into this riding thing somewhat causally seriously.

Since you're still in college, don't complicate your life. Just do the bar ends for now...

After college, get a really nice road bike, as a graduation present for yourself! :thumb:

The main problem you're going to run into with those drop bar ends is that if you mount them on the ends of your handlebar you end up with a ridiculously wide drop bar and if you mount them inboard of your brakes/shifters you end up with a ridiculously narrow drop bar. I think that's even more of a problem than that you won't have access to your brakes while in the drops.

I'd be more inclined to use some long normal bar ends positioned near horizontally to let you stretch out into a more aero position. You could even try installing those inboard of the brakes/shifters to allow a narrower position, but that might make the handling twitchier than you'd like.

If you're more worried about comfort than speed, I think there are better solutions. Maybe even try a trekking bar.

Hmm, trekking bars look interesting. I'll have to see if my local bike shop has a bike equipped that I could joy ride to get a quick feel. And you are right, flat out speed doesn't concern me. Efficient and comfort is more important.

I graduated last year. I replaced my old motorcycle with a new sportbike for the track. Dragging knee is addicting, cycling is good cross training :)

Alright then.....Congratulations!

If I were you, I'd keep the Quick 6, just the way it is...

There's nothing like a nice road bike to serve as the perfect medium for the human mind and body!

Time to abide by the N+1 Rule :thumb:

You could have this bike set up with a more aggressive riding position. Basically it involves lowering the stem, but may require other fit adjustments to get you right. I have my Quick set up that way.

Love my trekking bars. From Nashbar, the price is roughly comparable to a set of bar-ends, but then you add in bar tape, and probably a new stem. All in all though, not nearly as expensive or complex as a drop bar conversion.

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8163/7...63ed81c4_z.jpg

Yup. I may be making that move to the LBS to get some trekking bar parts. I'll assume I can use OEM controls.


I know I will end up with a road bike eventually. I can see it. But I'm trying to keep this cheap, I've got too many expensive hobbies as is...

That's the advantage of trekking bars. I went with a drop bar conversion and had to change out brakes and shifters. For the shifters I got some old friction bar-end shifters that work pretty well.