Flat bar conversion questions

Quoted message said:

As I said, I had to change the seat. The "new" seat put me even closer to
the bars and I'm not sure that I like being *that* far forward over the
pedals, but I ticked off 15 miles of quick riding the other day with no
ill effects. Mostly I ride like an old fart and when I have my dog
trotting next me, we go little faster than a brisk walking speed.

But that's the way I ride. Neighborly and for trips to the grocery store.

I picked up the bars (hi rise cruiser style slightly higher than the Giant)
and a set of Tektro RT-345AG brake levers at the LBS today. Two new cables
and a few feet of cable guide and it was all together. Went for a short 1.5
mile ride with the gears locked at mid-range and I agree with you that a new
"old man's" seat will also be required for this riding position. The cost
has not been too bad thus far. $15 for the bars, $20 for the levers and $10
for the cables and guide. Nothing about the original drop bar and brifter
installation has been hurt either.

The LBS did not have any shifter sets for a 27 speed Shimano setup so I am
still deciding what to do for that piece. It looks surprisingly good thus
far. Kinda like a Plowhorse front end and a racehorse read 🙂

Mike

Mike Blake said:

The LBS did not have any shifter sets for a 27 speed Shimano setup so I am
still deciding what to do for that piece. It looks surprisingly good thus
far. Kinda like a Plowhorse front end and a racehorse read 🙂

7x3 twisters at least are available on the black market:

http://tinyurl.com/26uyfr

--D-y

<[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Mike Blake said:

The LBS did not have any shifter sets for a 27 speed Shimano setup so I
am
still deciding what to do for that piece. It looks surprisingly good
thus
far. Kinda like a Plowhorse front end and a racehorse read 🙂

7x3 twisters at least are available on the black market:

http://tinyurl.com/26uyfr

--D-y

I am a bit confused. How will those shifters help with a 9X3 configuration?

Since I seldom shift I have been looking for some thumb shifters that will
mount on the handlebars on each side of the stem. I am not having much luck
finding anything that I am sure will work.

Mike

Mike Blake said:

Quoted message said:

As I said, I had to change the seat. The "new" seat put me even closer
to the bars and I'm not sure that I like being *that* far forward over
the pedals, but I ticked off 15 miles of quick riding the other day
with no ill effects. Mostly I ride like an old fart and when I have my
dog trotting next me, we go little faster than a brisk walking speed.

But that's the way I ride. Neighborly and for trips to the grocery store.

I picked up the bars (hi rise cruiser style slightly higher than the
Giant) and a set of Tektro RT-345AG brake levers at the LBS today. Two
new cables and a few feet of cable guide and it was all together. Went
for a short 1.5 mile ride with the gears locked at mid-range and I agree
with you that a new "old man's" seat will also be required for this
riding position. The cost has not been too bad thus far. $15 for the
bars, $20 for the levers and $10 for the cables and guide. Nothing
about the original drop bar and brifter installation has been hurt either.

The LBS did not have any shifter sets for a 27 speed Shimano setup so I
am still deciding what to do for that piece. It looks surprisingly good
thus far. Kinda like a Plowhorse front end and a racehorse read 🙂

Mike

Now you have to put a basket on the front and drive the purists crazy.
No panniers, baskets.

Mike Blake said:

<[email hidden]> wrote in message

news:... On Oct 23 said:

Quoted message said:

The LBS did not have any shifter sets for a 27 speed Shimano setup so I
am
still deciding what to do for that piece. It looks surprisingly good
thus
far. Kinda like a Plowhorse front end and a racehorse read 🙂

Quoted message said:

7x3 twisters at least are available on the black market:

Quoted message said:

http://tinyurl.com/26uyfr

Quoted message said:

--D-y

I am a bit confused. How will those shifters help with a 9X3 configuration?

Since I seldom shift I have been looking for some thumb shifters that will
mount on the handlebars on each side of the stem. I am not having much luck
finding anything that I am sure will work.

Mike

If you don't care about indexing, here's your guy:
http://www.rivbike.com/products/list/shifters_and_derailers#product=17-097

Friction thumbshifters, $13 a set.

If you want indexing, you'll need a set of Paul's Thumbies plus a pair
of Shimano bar-ends - well over $100 for the entire setup.

Or, like I mentioned downthread, SRAM Attack twisters are $50-60.

"vey" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Mike

Now you have to put a basket on the front and drive the purists crazy. No
panniers, baskets.

Very cool idea. I will look into a basket immediately. Would you suggest
wicker or wire?

Mike

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Mike

If you don't care about indexing, here's your guy:
http://www.rivbike.com/products/list/shifters_and_derailers#product=17-097

Friction thumbshifters, $13 a set.

If you want indexing, you'll need a set of Paul's Thumbies plus a pair
of Shimano bar-ends - well over $100 for the entire setup.

Or, like I mentioned downthread, SRAM Attack twisters are $50-60.

Thanks Hank! This is just what I have been looking for. I don't think I
need indexing. I know my old bikes did not have indexed shifting and I
don't have any bad memories of that. Come to think of it I can't remember
much of anything.

Then on to a nice leather seat and matching grips :-)

Mike

Mike Blake said:

"vey" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Mike

Now you have to put a basket on the front and drive the purists crazy.
No panniers, baskets.

Very cool idea. I will look into a basket immediately. Would you
suggest wicker or wire?

Mike

I use wire because I actually use it for trips to the grocery store and
what-not. I dunno how strong wicker would be if 20+ pounds were put in
it. The basket I had before I made all these changes wasn't big enough,
plus when I raised the stem, it wouldn't fit right anymore.

Since I was going to have to convert this thing to upright seating I had
an idea, why not make a bicycle that was more utilitarian than those
"comfort" bikes in the LBS and not spend much money doing it?

I live in-town now, so it is quicker for me to ride the two miles to
downtown than it is to drive and find a parking space. We still have a
hardware store downtown, but it is hard to bring much home from a
hardware store with a little basket. The grocery store is about a mile
and a half away. The basket I had would hold one paper bag full, which
was not very much, but I knew that a bigger basket and more weight makes
it harder to steer and I didn't like that. I used to have a big basket
on a bike I had years ago.

I thought about a trailer, but then I have to store it and I have a
rule. If it takes me any longer than 5 minutes to do a bunch of things
to get ready to ride, I don't do them. No lycra for me. I ride in street
clothes. Takes too long to change my clothes.

So I poked around online until I found this design:
http://www.rat-patrol.org/packrat/redass01.jpg
by Alex Wilson in Chicago.

I liked the design because it put all the weight on the frame instead of
the front wheel hub, which helps the steering. And it is cantilevered.
And no welding or brazing. So I got some 1/2" EMT and some U-Bolts and
made something like it on my old MTB style frame.

Then I put a Pyramid double kickstand on (it is like a motorcycle stand)
so I didn't have to worry about it toppling. I should have gotten of
those 30 years ago! What a difference a good stand makes. I could have
spent more money and gotten a lighter one. This Pyramid stand is solid
steel. But all this time, I was obsessed with weight and aerodynamics
and speed and clips and all the other stuff to get obsessed about. This
time around with this type of bike, who cares?

The prices Wald charges for their big baskets is shocking. I got a big
basket from the home organization section of Lowe's for half the price
and put it on the front with U-bolts. I can easily carry 50 pounds in
the front now, so when the dog needs food, I don't have to drive to
store anymore to get it. I couldn't have fit a big bag of dog food in
the little basket I had before.

I haven't figured out exactly what I am going to put on the back yet. I
have some ideas.

I really need to take pics of this thing. The pics would be real thigh
slappers. It's pretty funny looking, but it works and I don't think I
have to worry much about theft.

Mike Blake said:

I am a bit confused. How will those shifters help with a 9X3 configuration?

I have cleaned my glasses. Apologies. --D-y

vey said:

Mike Blake said:

"vey" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

> Mike

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Now you have to put a basket on the front and drive the purists crazy.
No panniers, baskets.

Quoted message said:

Very cool idea. I will look into a basket immediately. Would you
suggest wicker or wire?

Quoted message said:

Mike

I use wire because I actually use it for trips to the grocery store and
what-not. I dunno how strong wicker would be if 20+ pounds were put in
it. The basket I had before I made all these changes wasn't big enough,
plus when I raised the stem, it wouldn't fit right anymore.

Since I was going to have to convert this thing to upright seating I had
an idea, why not make a bicycle that was more utilitarian than those
"comfort" bikes in the LBS and not spend much money doing it?

I live in-town now, so it is quicker for me to ride the two miles to
downtown than it is to drive and find a parking space. We still have a
hardware store downtown, but it is hard to bring much home from a
hardware store with a little basket. The grocery store is about a mile
and a half away. The basket I had would hold one paper bag full, which
was not very much, but I knew that a bigger basket and more weight makes
it harder to steer and I didn't like that. I used to have a big basket
on a bike I had years ago.

I thought about a trailer, but then I have to store it and I have a
rule. If it takes me any longer than 5 minutes to do a bunch of things
to get ready to ride, I don't do them. No lycra for me. I ride in street
clothes. Takes too long to change my clothes.

So I poked around online until I found this design:http://www.rat-patrol.org/packrat/redass01.jpg
by Alex Wilson in Chicago.

I liked the design because it put all the weight on the frame instead of
the front wheel hub, which helps the steering. And it is cantilevered.
And no welding or brazing. So I got some 1/2" EMT and some U-Bolts and
made something like it on my old MTB style frame.

Then I put a Pyramid double kickstand on (it is like a motorcycle stand)
so I didn't have to worry about it toppling. I should have gotten of
those 30 years ago! What a difference a good stand makes. I could have
spent more money and gotten a lighter one. This Pyramid stand is solid
steel. But all this time, I was obsessed with weight and aerodynamics
and speed and clips and all the other stuff to get obsessed about. This
time around with this type of bike, who cares?

The prices Wald charges for their big baskets is shocking. I got a big
basket from the home organization section of Lowe's for half the price
and put it on the front with U-bolts. I can easily carry 50 pounds in
the front now, so when the dog needs food, I don't have to drive to
store anymore to get it. I couldn't have fit a big bag of dog food in
the little basket I had before.

I haven't figured out exactly what I am going to put on the back yet. I
have some ideas.

I really need to take pics of this thing. The pics would be real thigh
slappers. It's pretty funny looking, but it works and I don't think I
have to worry much about theft.

I think I will pass on that basket arrangement! Thanks for all of
your help.... It is coming together better than I had expected.

Mike

k9jri said:

I think I will pass on that basket arrangement! Thanks for all of
your help.... It is coming together better than I had expected.

Mike

That's okay. I can understand why you wouldn't want people pointing at
you. When I got my "new" saddle and I was sitting upright, it seemed so
familiar. Wait, this is how I used to ride before all the bike boom!

May a recommend a sprung saddle? Sheldon explains why better than I can:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/saddles.html#springs

vey said:

k9jri said:

I think I will pass on that basket arrangement! Thanks for all of
your help.... It is coming together better than I had expected.

Quoted message said:

Mike

That's okay. I can understand why you wouldn't want people pointing at
you. When I got my "new" saddle and I was sitting upright, it seemed so
familiar. Wait, this is how I used to ride before all the bike boom!

May a recommend a sprung saddle? Sheldon explains why better than I can:http://www.sheldonbrown.com/saddles.html#springs

Brooks Champion Flyer or B66 is awesome. I've got a Flyer on my
cruiser conversion (Peugeot Orient Express MTB with a Nexus8 planetary
hub, North Road Bars, cork grips and a Wald wire front basket).
Really, really fun bike.

http://www.bikejournal.com/images/hankamania052707_17561.jpg

(picture is pre-basket)

Hank Wirtz said:

vey said:

May a recommend a sprung saddle? Sheldon explains why better than I can:http://www.sheldonbrown.com/saddles.html#springs

Brooks Champion Flyer or B66 is awesome. I've got a Flyer on my
cruiser conversion (Peugeot Orient Express MTB with a Nexus8 planetary
hub, North Road Bars, cork grips and a Wald wire front basket).
Really, really fun bike.

http://www.bikejournal.com/images/hankamania052707_17561.jpg

(picture is pre-basket)

Very nice conversion. Thanks for sharing the picture with me.

Mike

vey said:

k9jri said:

I think I will pass on that basket arrangement! Thanks for all of
your help.... It is coming together better than I had expected.

Quoted message said:

Mike

That's okay. I can understand why you wouldn't want people pointing at
you. When I got my "new" saddle and I was sitting upright, it seemed so
familiar. Wait, this is how I used to ride before all the bike boom!

May a recommend a sprung saddle? Sheldon explains why better than I can:http://www.sheldonbrown.com/saddles.html#springs

I had read Sheldon's article, may of them in fact, and had already
decided on a sprung saddle. Not sure which one yet but sprung for
sure. My LBS ordered the SunRace (they look exactly like the shifters
in the Rivendale ad) friction shifters for me today. They were
really expensive at about $11.50 for the pair 🙂 The only thing left
is the saddle and if I choose something inexpensive I believe the
whole conversion will be about $100. It totals about $75 right now
including the friction thumb shifters.

Thanks again for your comments - Mike

k9jri said:

Hank Wirtz said:

vey said:

May a recommend a sprung saddle? Sheldon explains why better than I can:http://www.sheldonbrown.com/saddles.html#springs

Brooks Champion Flyer or B66 is awesome. I've got a Flyer on my
cruiser conversion (Peugeot Orient Express MTB with a Nexus8 planetary
hub, North Road Bars, cork grips and a Wald wire front basket).
Really, really fun bike.

http://www.bikejournal.com/images/hankamania052707_17561.jpg

(picture is pre-basket)

Very nice conversion. Thanks for sharing the picture with me.

Mike

See? I'm not the only nut that uses a basket.

vey said:

See? I'm not the only nut that uses a basket.

But the fact remains that only nuts use baskets!

still me said:

vey said:

See? I'm not the only nut that uses a basket.

But the fact remains that only nuts use baskets!

Huh. Do I have to worry that my basket(s) will be stolen the way people
who use panniers do? If so, I guess I ought to remove my basket(s)
whenever I leave my bike alone.

Mike Blake said:

I have a Specialize Allez Sport (2002 vintage I think that I would like to
convert from drop bars to a flat bar configuration. Our riding is all
casual bike path or neighborhood riding and then only 5 to 10 miles a day.

I would appreciate suggestions on cost effective shifting and brake controls
for the bike's existing Tiagra rim brakes, Tiagra 3 ring front derauiller
and 105 9 speed rear derauiller. The shifters do not have to be indexed...
I suspect that bar end shifters would be appropriate but I am not sure.

Tools and skills should not be a problem nor should time as I am retired.
It is also to be a fun project and one which will get the Allez back into
action having been all but replaced with a Giant Suede Coasting cruiser that
both my wife and I ride daily. She did not ride at all prior to getting her
Shimano Coasting equipped Suede.

I digress 🙂 Components and good places to purchase them are both welcome.
Responses from vendors would be most welcome as a handful of you seem to
provide many of the valuable responses on RBT

Mike - K9JRI

A flat bar conversion would be a lot easier if they still had down-
tube levers--no messing around with new shifters and no extra cables
to get in the way. It would also be a lot easier if they still had
top-mount shifters--no worries about the combatibility of the front
indexing. I guess you can always change the front derailleur. Now
they have the push-button shifters--a great technological
improvement. If you can get these without the brake levers attached,
then you're laughing.

Personally I have no problem with a flat bar conversion for a road
bike. I see them all over Bremen--they make great city bikes--
although I'm not sure if the ones I see around here are conversions or
if they're sold that way.

Mike Blake said:

I have a Specialize Allez Sport (2002 vintage I think that I would like to
convert from drop bars to a flat bar configuration. Our riding is all
casual bike path or neighborhood riding and then only 5 to 10 miles a day.

I would appreciate suggestions on cost effective shifting and brake controls
for the bike's existing Tiagra rim brakes, Tiagra 3 ring front derauiller
and 105 9 speed rear derauiller. The shifters do not have to be indexed...
I suspect that bar end shifters would be appropriate but I am not sure.

Tools and skills should not be a problem nor should time as I am retired.
It is also to be a fun project and one which will get the Allez back into
action having been all but replaced with a Giant Suede Coasting cruiser that
both my wife and I ride daily. She did not ride at all prior to getting her
Shimano Coasting equipped Suede.

I digress 🙂 Components and good places to purchase them are both welcome.
Responses from vendors would be most welcome as a handful of you seem to
provide many of the valuable responses on RBT

Mike - K9JRI

Another point--depending on how stretched out you want to be, you may
want to substitute a longer stem. Generally mountain bikes have more
reach than road bikes because the bars don't have any reach "built
in." I find I am a lot more comfortable with this type of set-up,
although I rarely ride on flat bars. But on the other hand, if it's
comfort you're after, then go for a shorter stem with lots of rise.