Our planned purchase of a second hand CC for my wife fell through due to some weird gear shifting problem. New one is too expensive, so I am looking at the flat bar version. In Japan even that is US $1,400!

First she would prefer flat bars as thats what she rides now. Second, one chain ring (?) up front is better because she never shifts to the harder one any way.

So I am wondering if there would be any problem changing the chain ring from stock 42t to 34t which would match what she has now.

Also, I wonder how it rides with flat bars.

Sounds like a bare frame build up project. Does Salsa sell it as bare frame?

At worst a new cable, derailleur, and shifter is needed. Thats a $120 problem...at worst. Its more likely as simple as taking it to a shop for a tuneup and possibly a derailleur hanger adjustment or something incredibly minor.


2017 Cooker 0 - Charge Bikes

Based on the link above, it looks like that crank can handle a smaller ring. The Charge has a 32t on that crank. Its a SRAM Truvativ E400 crank. The easiest way to determine chainring size is to know the BCD(bolt circle diameter) of the crank. I think the E400 is a 104/64 bcd(i didnt exactly look much). If that BCD is accurate, then you could slap a smaller ring without issue. Just lower the front derailleur too so it matches the new ring height.

Just looked it up on Surly's website. I like the simplicity of a 1x9 drivetrain. I'm hoping to build something similar myself for a commuter in the future.

As far as I know, the only think you need to worry about is making sure the BCD on the new chainring matches the BCD on the crankset as already mentioned, and then you might need to take a few links out of the chain, which you can easily to yourself. I think that should be it.

My wife splits her time between a modern Jamis road bike with drop bars, and a vintage Peugeot which has been modified with Velo Orange Postino handlebar, and 1 x 9 gearing. I set the Peugeot up this way with the idea that it would be a change of pace bike from the standard road bike with drops but to my surprised, she has no problem riding the bike with modified flat bars on rides of 30 miles or longer.

I would suggest if you go with flat bars, you go with one with a bend like the Postino or Velo Orange Porteur, (or many others) as they put the wrists in a natural position.

Also, many people in Europe tour with flat bars and bar ends. It's not unusual.

I second whomever said the shifting issues are probably easily fixed. Use it as a negotiating tactic to knock some more money off the price.

Nope. They also don't know you aren't really touring if you are on an e-bike

Shifting issues could be bigger than just a new shifter and cable. Could be derailleur, could be chain/cassette/chainrings, could be frame/hanger alignment, etc etc etc. All fixable, but depending on your skill level etc may not be worth it.

I've replied to you on ****** on the same idea. The CC makes a nice light-tour / super versatile bike. Flat bar on is nice but multiple hand positions (bar ends etc) are nice too.

it's a little unclear to me exactly what you are intending to buy and/or alter.

is it a flat bar bike with two chainrings or a flat bar bike with a single chainring? and i take it that whatever you buy you will want a 34t chainring?

anyway...

if the crank can accommodate a 34t chainring, it could be as simple as buying a compatible 34t chainring and installing it.

OTOH, if the crank can't accommodate a 34t chainring you may have to buy a new, compatible, if available (and here's where some research on your part comes in ) with your BB, crank that can, and a 34t chainring that is compatible with the new crank and install them both.

i don't see any reason why shifting would be an issue in either case, assuming the bike comes with a flat handlebar.

Figure 8 bend trekking bars are like a flat bar but more hand positions.. all the MTB type controls fit.

Thanks for all the comments from everyone. This is exactly what the shop said. They do not know why the gear changing is rough and noisy. Now they say it is the bar end shifters! But they are not offering to change them. It means they still are not sure and they will just sell it to some one else as is. It's a friendly shop but WTF????

I don't know anything about bikes despite being a biker for 40 years! I don't like even changing break pads! So I am too scared just to buy the bike and take it to my normal shop for them to fix because a 1000 dollar mystery with unknown additional charges too much of a gamble for me. It's irrational, but there you have it.

Salsa Marrakesh comes in a flat bar version.

MARRAKESH FLATBAR DEORE | Bikes | Salsa Cycles