Putting Drop Bars on a Hybrid - problems?

Further to my post below about a 52T chainring on my hybrid (with 26"
wheels).

I would like to put some drop bars on my bike; this would mean that I
would have to change the brake levers and also the gear levers (cf
query I raised about the front derailleur).

Again, I was just wondering what problems I might face.

I don't think there'd be any issues with the brakes.

Has anyone else made this transition?


--
dannyfrankszzz

dannyfrankszzz wrote:
Further to my post below about a 52T chainring on my hybrid (with 26"
wheels).

I would like to put some drop bars on my bike; this would mean that I
would have to change the brake levers and also the gear levers (cf
query I raised about the front derailleur).

Again, I was just wondering what problems I might face.

I don't think there'd be any issues with the brakes.

Has anyone else made this transition?

If the brakes are V or cantilever you may have a problem using them
with drop bar brakes, ISTR there is a leverage thingy you need to use
as drop bar brakes do not have enough travel. If caliper brakes no
problem. I changed the bars on a friend's Ridgeback Genesis to Tiagra
STI's and drops no prob, but the bike was already Tiagra equipped
throughout, and was really just a road bike with flat bars. Expect to
pay £100-150 for the necessary bits.

I've done this a number of times over the years. The principal issues
a
1. Handebar size - flat bars tend to be 25.4 inches in diameter - drop
bars one of a number of sizes, with 26.0 being the most common I have
seen. This may mean changing the stem to fit.
2. Brake cable pull(as already mentioned). STI levers aren't ideal with
V brakes, although adapters do exist e.g. "travel agents". I have also
used V brakes with Campagnolo Ergo levers, by leaving the levers in the
open position intended to give extra clearance for changing tyres.

JimP wrote:
I've done this a number of times over the years. The principal issues
a
1. Handebar size - flat bars tend to be 25.4 inches in diameter - drop
bars one of a number of sizes, with 26.0 being the most common I have
seen. This may mean changing the stem to fit.
2. Brake cable pull(as already mentioned). STI levers aren't ideal
with V brakes, although adapters do exist e.g. "travel agents". I
have also used V brakes with Campagnolo Ergo levers, by leaving the
levers in the open position intended to give extra clearance for
changing tyres.

I have 2 bikes, one with straight, one with drops . My drops have those new
little brake levers on the top as well as the traditional levers. They work
well, and I use them most of the time. Is there any reason why I should not
fit the hybrid with drops, but retain it's present brake/gear change
integrated doo-dahs on the top of the bars without having levers on the
drops?
--


Martin Bulmer

Often the brake/gear changers from a flat barred hybrid will not fit on
the larger diameter bars of drops. The only (usually separate) brake
and gear levers which will are likely to be the less expensive ones
which have a two part clamp to attach them to the bars, and they may
require some metalwork to get a good fit. Also, wouldn't what you're
suggesting mean not having traditional drop bar brake levers to rest
your hands on when "on the tops", and no access to the brakes or gears
while you're on the drops?

in message om, MartinM
') wrote:


dannyfrankszzz wrote:
Further to my post below about a 52T chainring on my hybrid (with 26"
wheels).

I would like to put some drop bars on my bike; this would mean that I
would have to change the brake levers and also the gear levers (cf
query I raised about the front derailleur).

Again, I was just wondering what problems I might face.

I don't think there'd be any issues with the brakes.

Has anyone else made this transition?

If the brakes are V or cantilever you may have a problem using them
with drop bar brakes, ISTR there is a leverage thingy you need to use
as drop bar brakes do not have enough travel.

You can also get drop bar brake levers - I think from DiaComp - which are
specifically designed for V brakes, but they don't have integrated
shifters.

--
(Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

'graveyards are full of indispensable people'

Simon Brooke wrote:
MartinM ') wrote:
dannyfrankszzz wrote:

I would like to put some drop bars on my bike; this would mean that I
would have to change the brake levers and also the gear levers (cf
query I raised about the front derailleur).

Again, I was just wondering what problems I might face.

If the brakes are V or cantilever you may have a problem using them
with drop bar brakes, ISTR there is a leverage thingy you need to use
as drop bar brakes do not have enough travel.

You can also get drop bar brake levers - I think from DiaComp - which are
specifically designed for V brakes, but they don't have integrated
shifters.

http://www.phred.org/~alex/bikes/brakes.html has a bit about the
Diacompe 287-V, and photos of a couple of different travel adaptor things.

Cantilever brakes will work with standard drop bar levers, but you may
have to add a cable stop thing (something like these:
http://www.sjscycles.com/store/vIndex.htm?cat683.htm).

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/cantilever-geometry.html has useful background.