D
DeF
Guest
G'Day, I'm nearing the end of the process of
converting my better half's flat bar roadie to
drop bars. Reason? She did an ITT at Easter
and has got the bug and wants to go faster. She's
commuting about 22km a few times a week and wants
to do that faster as well.
Anyway, I thought I'd share my experience since
it's the first conversion I've done and there are
still some ****ly issues to sort out.
The bike is an Avanti Blade Comp (I think) with
a mixture of shimano triple gear (105,tiagra etc).
I got hold of some Tiagra 9sp STI levers and some
long reach brakes to replace the V-brakes. I got
hold of some second-hand (almost new) bars and I
had a stem lying around the shed.
1st issue: Despite getting long reach brakes,
the rear brake is too short - it needs to be about
10mm longer. I checked the front brake when getting
new calipers and didn't think to check that the rear
might have a different reach. I've had to leave the
V-brakes on the rear which leads to a squishy feeling
rear-brake but it still works. The other problem is
that there is now no adjustment of the rear brake except
via moving the cable clamp. Not very satisfactory.
The front brake works very well.
2nd issue: Trimming cable housing from STI levers.
What's a good guide for this? I'm guessing that you
want them as short as possible but not so short that
they get stressed as the handle bars turn to their
extreme.
Other minor issue - there is no cable adjustment
available for the front dérailleur except the cable
clamp. Not as important as for the rear but still...
For the gears - I was amazed at how easy this was.
I was expecting more drama here but they worked first
time. I just pulled the cable tight with fingers, clamped
it then turned pedals and changed gears. Rear needed
a little adjustment but that was it.
Stuff to do is cosmetic - bar tape, trim cables etc.
Total cost is nearing $300 mark. I've not had the
nerve to work out the actual total yet....
At the end, she has a pretty nice traditional style
touring bike. Lots of braze-ons, 27sp with drop
bars. An excellent middle to long distance commuter
and an excellent bike for touring.
DeF.
--
e-mail: d.farrow@your finger.murdoch.edu.au
To reply, you'll have to remove your finger.
converting my better half's flat bar roadie to
drop bars. Reason? She did an ITT at Easter
and has got the bug and wants to go faster. She's
commuting about 22km a few times a week and wants
to do that faster as well.
Anyway, I thought I'd share my experience since
it's the first conversion I've done and there are
still some ****ly issues to sort out.
The bike is an Avanti Blade Comp (I think) with
a mixture of shimano triple gear (105,tiagra etc).
I got hold of some Tiagra 9sp STI levers and some
long reach brakes to replace the V-brakes. I got
hold of some second-hand (almost new) bars and I
had a stem lying around the shed.
1st issue: Despite getting long reach brakes,
the rear brake is too short - it needs to be about
10mm longer. I checked the front brake when getting
new calipers and didn't think to check that the rear
might have a different reach. I've had to leave the
V-brakes on the rear which leads to a squishy feeling
rear-brake but it still works. The other problem is
that there is now no adjustment of the rear brake except
via moving the cable clamp. Not very satisfactory.
The front brake works very well.
2nd issue: Trimming cable housing from STI levers.
What's a good guide for this? I'm guessing that you
want them as short as possible but not so short that
they get stressed as the handle bars turn to their
extreme.
Other minor issue - there is no cable adjustment
available for the front dérailleur except the cable
clamp. Not as important as for the rear but still...
For the gears - I was amazed at how easy this was.
I was expecting more drama here but they worked first
time. I just pulled the cable tight with fingers, clamped
it then turned pedals and changed gears. Rear needed
a little adjustment but that was it.
Stuff to do is cosmetic - bar tape, trim cables etc.
Total cost is nearing $300 mark. I've not had the
nerve to work out the actual total yet....
At the end, she has a pretty nice traditional style
touring bike. Lots of braze-ons, 27sp with drop
bars. An excellent middle to long distance commuter
and an excellent bike for touring.
DeF.
--
e-mail: d.farrow@your finger.murdoch.edu.au
To reply, you'll have to remove your finger.