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[b]Background[/b]
I've got an alfine 8 steel road bike with drop bars that I use for commuting. Fit wise I'm happy enough with it but after ~25000 miles my Tektro cable disc brakes are totally knackered, and TBH the versa levers have seen better days too (you can't buy them new anymore either so that's a consideration).
I was looking at the cost of new cable disc brake calibers but TBH it seems prohibitively expensive for anything half decent (~£60 each for TRP spyres, £90 for TRP HY/RD). So minimum looking at £120 for 2 calipers plus probably new cables etc etc.
So, I've started thinking about a flat bar conversion. I can get a full deore system for £80, I'll need an alfine shifter for £20, lock on grips £10 and I'd probably get a new rotor for £20. All in maybe just under ~£130 for better brakes etc.
[b]My question[/b]
I'm worried about fit - has anyone done this before? will I need a longer stem? Bar ends etc? Does this seem a sensible thing to do?
Don't bother; nowhere near as good for road use. Although if your commutes only short then maybe worth it. But 25000 miles use out of a set of cheapo brakes ain't too bad. What's that? 4 years worth give or take depending how far your commute is?
I'm thinking if the levers go I'm absolutely shafted ... I don't want to buy in to cable brakes and then have broken levers in 6 months time that I can't replace...
My commute is about 25 miles a day ATM ~ 12-13 miles each way depending on route with a bit of climbing. 75% road, 15% tarmac bike path, 10% dirt path / landy track.
Go for it!
Longer stem depends; try it first with your current one. I'd get some TT style aero bars so you can get a bit more aero for the road sections. Or maybe some bar ends?
Cheers for the reply. I've been agonising over this for the last few days but I think I'll take the plunge this week!
I have a similar length commute and ride flat bar! I chose it for much the same reason, I've I could have cheap hydros etc and replace them easily! I did get a set of grips that are ergonomic and have built in bar ends to give me a range of hand positions as occasionally my hands did ache a bit!
Like clipless pedals I think drop handlebars are more a carry over from seeing what the pros do rather than what actually might be the best tool for the job!
'm worried about fit - has anyone done this before? will I need a longer stem? Bar ends etc? Does this seem a sensible thing to do?
Not a sensible thing to do it you use the many positions of the drop bar. You will lose the head down/drops positions, you could make up for hoods with bars ends but they would be wider apart than hoods but not as comfortable and with no access to braking.
Flat bars v drops is all very much personal preference, me i prefer the more upright riding position & secure braking from flat bars & have no problems with a weeks alpine touring without having all the bar positions available from drop bars
I'm another flat user- on my rigid 29er, on the Croix de Fer 'road' bike and on the road-focussed tandem. No shortage of hand positions when you have bar ends, better handling, much better braking. Can't understand for the life of me why so many folk still use drops for normal riding, other than fashion. If you're ever at a fast sportive and see the punters mincing down descents with minimal control and awful brakes, you see why flats are way superior for everything short of all-out racing or TT. Most of these riders would be better and safer with flat bars. When you look at groups out on the road, clubs or sportives, most riders spend almost all of their time on the hoods. However, designing a frame around drops + hoods makes the bike too short to really handle properly on descents, the most fun bit of riding in my mind. Which seems to be a compromise that many either ignore or do not understand.
Can't understand for the life of me why so many folk still use drops for normal riding, other than fashion
I preferred drops by a long way, braking was good and control was good and speed was always higher. The difference between riding along for a few miles with hands in the drops versus upright flat bar is massive (1-2 mph increase in speed). And that is mostly off road.
If you never put your hands on the drops then not much point in having them but I spent 50%+ of my time in them and other times on hoods with around 1% by side of stem (which is where the control issues come in that I guess you are seeing the 'mincers' having?
Flat bars also put your wrists at 90 degree angle to where they should be, i.e. drop hands by your side and see which way you hands are pointing.
I'm another flat user- on my rigid 29er, on the Croix de Fer 'road' bike and on the road-focussed tandem. No shortage of hand positions when you have bar ends, better handling, much better braking. Can't understand for the life of me why so many folk still use drops for normal riding, other than fashion. If you're ever at a fast sportive and see the punters mincing down descents with minimal control and awful brakes, you see why flats are way superior for everything short of all-out racing or TT. Most of these riders would be better and safer with flat bars. When you look at groups out on the road, clubs or sportives, most riders spend almost all of their time on the hoods. However, designing a frame around drops + hoods makes the bike too short to really handle properly on descents, the most fun bit of riding in my mind. Which seems to be a compromise that many either ignore or do not understand.
This
Another flat bar user here. My commute is thru town up and down hills in traffic. I want disc brakes, I want to be able to cover the brakes at all times with instant good braking power. Drops would not work for me. I do have a road bike with bullhorns and TT type levers - nearly as good.