Conversion Progress!
 

I'm almost finished with my drop bar conversion! The work actually isn't so bad, especially after all the videos and reading. The toughest part was cutting the Jagwire brake cable housings because those things are basically bulletproof, and I don't have proper cutters. I ended up using a small section of my old housing which is in good condition anyway. All I have left are the shift cables and I plan on completing that tonight.
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Congratulations on your effort (it's a lovely bike), but what on that bike constitutes a Hybrid? ie. MTB parts

Before it looked like a flatbar road bike, and now it looks like a dropbar road bike.

Looks sweet man! I just did handlebars on my 7100 and last night put new shifters and brake levers on my girlfriends Giant. Cutting the cable housings with out the proper tools sucked. I have cable cutters, side cuts everything and still didnt have the best of time doing it.

Thanks! I was really looking forward to doing the work.

@Giantcfr1 - Haha, it is basically a flat-bar road bike, although it's marketed as a hybrid. Two main differences I've found between this and 'dedicated' road bikes is that the frame is slightly more stretched than most road bikes (by 1-2 cm), although it's still Giant's "Compact Road" geometry, and slightly wider tires at 28mm, when most road bikes come with 25's or 23's.
But you are correct, it can be considerred a flat-bar road bike.

@addictedhealer - Thanks! It's a fun project. How do you like riding with the new handlebars overall? I definitely have to pick me up proper cable cutters. Do you use generic cable cutters, or a tool made specifically for bike cables?

Never-the-less what ever the companies call it (or others for that matter ;) ), you've done a great job. I'm sure it'll be a sensational ride.

I haven't bought a set of cutters but I will asap. I used cable cutters made for copper wire. They don't work the best for cable housing.

Completed the conversion! I ended up using some old casings because they're just impossible to cut without a purpose-built cutter. I ordered a cutter, and when it arrives I'll re-do the cabling (which I need to do anyway).

Fortunately the R443 FD is flawless with the 2303 shifter; that was a main concern going into the project. Now Just some fitting adjustments and I shoudl be good to go.

I'll post a pick of the finished product, but it doesn't look much different than the pic above.

Nice job! You'll enjoy those drop bars for sure.]

Went on my first real ride yesterday, and love the drop bars, especially with a headwind! I do think that i have to get a fitting, and maybe a shorter stem because I feel a bit too stretched out. I sat on a friends specialized who's about the same size as me, and it definitely felt shorter/more upright.

Nice bike (I have the same one!). It definitely looks good with drop bars on it, that is for sure.

It sounds like it is too late with respect to the cable cutters, but I use my Dremel with a thin cutoff wheel to cut my cables and housings. I couldn't justify spending that much money on bike-specific cable cutters and I already had the Dremel. I've redone the cables and housings on a few bikes, and it has worked well for me.

Anyway, enjoy the drops!

Thanks! So far enjoying it very much. I love the different positions and narrower width. Brifters take a little getting used to, but I'm basically there. The only thing I think i need to change is the stem; my reach feels a little too far. I'm planning to get a professional fitting and will wait to see what they say before I buy the wrong components.

I already bought a cable cutter; it wasn't that expensive from amazon, and I figured it will pretty much last forever with the frequency I'll be using it.

Nice job! :thumb:

I was thinking about doing a bit of a conversion on my Trek 7100, only in the other direction. I think I'd like some handlebars like the ones you see on the old Raleigh three speeds and Schwinn suburbans. I use the 7100 for commuting and that looks pretty comfortable.

What was your total cost? I'd love to do that on my Sirrus Sport.