Need help converting stem shifters to handlebar shifters
03-06-14, 02:00 AM
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Need help converting stem shifters to handlebar shifters
I currently have stem shifters on my vintage Campania road bike. I am converting my drop bars to flat bars and I want to convert my shifters to be on my handlebars for easier access. This bike is going to be used for commuting from home to school and back, hence why i am trying to make it as convenient as possible. Any input would be appreciated. If you guys could link/suggest certain shifters that will work, that would be very much appreciated. The bar will be 22.2mm on the ends and 25.4mm clamp size (not that it matters). Please help me do this conversion! I am trying to doing this on a very tight budget, keep that in mind! Cheers!
03-06-14, 03:33 AM
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It depends on what your drivetrain mech is as to what types of shifters you can use. For instance if you have shimano rd, stay away from SRAM X series thumb shifters. Shimano Alivio (sp?) may work and aren't terribly expensive. You may actually like the drops for commuting, you could keep them and get a set of ratcheting bar end shifters instead if you want to get away from the stem shifters. Will the bike accommodate racks and fenders? You will also need brake levers that work with the type of brakes you have, side pulls, center pull, v brakes, etc.
03-06-14, 05:08 AM
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The current drivetrain is probably friction, not indexed. If so, you need friction shifters, or indexed that have a friction setting.
Do your shifters "click" into gear ?
Another option is buy a used flatbar hybrid bike. I found a nice one for $30 on Ebay near my zip code, so picked it up, no shipping.
Cheaper than your conversion.
Do your shifters "click" into gear ?
Another option is buy a used flatbar hybrid bike. I found a nice one for $30 on Ebay near my zip code, so picked it up, no shipping.
Cheaper than your conversion.
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03-06-14, 07:21 AM
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The current drivetrain is probably friction, not indexed. If so, you need friction shifters, or indexed that have a friction setting.
Do your shifters "click" into gear ?
Another option is buy a used flatbar hybrid bike. I found a nice one for $30 on Ebay near my zip code, so picked it up, no shipping.
Cheaper than your conversion.
Do your shifters "click" into gear ?
Another option is buy a used flatbar hybrid bike. I found a nice one for $30 on Ebay near my zip code, so picked it up, no shipping.
Cheaper than your conversion.
That said, what you need are mtb thumb shifters that are either friction, or have a friction mode.
These are $7.99 and should work. https://www.ebay.com/itm/FALCON-MTB-A...item417d8d90b2
You might do better with an old Shimano Deore or XT, MTB shifter used.
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03-06-14, 09:26 AM
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This. I'm not really getting why you want to spend more than your bike is worth to have flat bars. Why not just ride on the hoods, tops?
That said, what you need are mtb thumb shifters that are either friction, or have a friction mode.
These are $7.99 and should work. https://www.ebay.com/itm/FALCON-MTB-A...item417d8d90b2
You might do better with an old Shimano Deore or XT, MTB shifter used.
That said, what you need are mtb thumb shifters that are either friction, or have a friction mode.
These are $7.99 and should work. https://www.ebay.com/itm/FALCON-MTB-A...item417d8d90b2
You might do better with an old Shimano Deore or XT, MTB shifter used.
03-06-14, 10:03 AM
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03-06-14, 10:15 AM
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I think you mentioned in an other thread that this is a college bike. A lot of college towns have bike co-ops where you could find some thumbshifters new for $14 or used for $5 or less. Many such co-ops will let you borrow tools and maybe help you with the conversion. That's the cheapest way to do the conversion.
Estimated cost @ a co-op:
$8 flat handlebar
$10 shifters
$8 brakes
$4 cables
$5 housing
$6 grips
$41 total estimate, not including labor
Estimated cost @ a co-op:
$8 flat handlebar
$10 shifters
$8 brakes
$4 cables
$5 housing
$6 grips
$41 total estimate, not including labor
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