Flat Bar to Road Handlebars



Bustrack

New Member
Aug 23, 2005
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Hi,

If I buy a flat bar bike and then change the handlebars to road handlebars would that save money or would a complete road bike be the way to go.

Sorry if somebody has already asked this but the search function isn't working at the moment.

Thanks.
 
Bustrack said:
Hi,

If I buy a flat bar bike and then change the handlebars to road handlebars would that save money or would a complete road bike be the way to go.

Sorry if somebody has already asked this but the search function isn't working at the moment.

Thanks.
It is defenitely cheaper if you get a complete road bike since if you go from flat to drops you'll need to get some new brake levers/shifters.
 
Bustrack said:
Hi,

If I buy a flat bar bike and then change the handlebars to road handlebars would that save money or would a complete road bike be the way to go.

Sorry if somebody has already asked this but the search function isn't working at the moment.

Thanks.
That would be throwing away money hand over fist. Drop bar shifters are very expensive.
 
Thanks for the info.

What Road bike would you suggest for a beginner?

P.S. Although something easy on the pocket.

Thanks.
 
Bustrack said:
Thanks for the info.

What Road bike would you suggest for a beginner?

P.S. Although something easy on the pocket.

Thanks.
Something that fits you, most importantly. Take your time finding the right one. Next, something that you think looks good - if you don't find your new bike a thing of beauty, you'll enjoy riding it less.
Ideally, at least a full 105 groupset or Campy equivalent, although this is the most negotiable point.
There would be many possible models to fit the bill.
 
artemidorus said:
Something that fits you, most importantly. Take your time finding the right one. Next, something that you think looks good - if you don't find your new bike a thing of beauty, you'll enjoy riding it less.
Ideally, at least a full 105 groupset or Campy equivalent, although this is the most negotiable point.
There would be many possible models to fit the bill.

Why? On a budget, the frame and wheels matter far more than "component jewelry".

As for functionality, recall this old joke:

Q: What shifts better than a $20 Shimano rear derailleur?

A: Nothing.

A bit of an exaggeration (?), but it drives the point home.
 
Ozark Bicycle said:
Why? On a budget, the frame and wheels matter far more than "component jewelry".

As for functionality, recall this old joke:

Q: What shifts better than a $20 Shimano rear derailleur?

A: Nothing.

A bit of an exaggeration (?), but it drives the point home.
In my experience, components that neither wear out nor break stay on a frame forever, mocking the owner if they're cheap and "nasty" (I can't justify unnecessary upgrades). In addition, most companies match frame quality to component set, so that the novice will get a pointer as to the quality of the frame from the groupset.
I wouldn't deny that it is partially about bling - but there are few who are impartial to this commodity.
It would be fair to say that a frame which comes with multiple possible groupsets is best bought with the cheapest groupset (as long as it is not one that comes with Sora as an option :cool: )
 
Ozark Bicycle said:
Why? On a budget, the frame and wheels matter far more than "component jewelry".

As for functionality, recall this old joke:

Q: What shifts better than a $20 Shimano rear derailleur?

A: Nothing.

A bit of an exaggeration (?), but it drives the point home.
In addition, perhaps you didn't bother to read that I had already conceded that it was the most negotiable point?
 
Bustrack said:
Thanks for the info.

What Road bike would you suggest for a beginner?

P.S. Although something easy on the pocket.

Thanks.
Where are you writing from?
In Australia, good affordable bike brands are avanti, specialised and giant.
But in terms of what bike, you have to ask yourself what type of riding you plan to do eg.commuting/racing and that will help determine what bike is suitable for you.
 
artemidorus said:
In my experience, components that neither wear out nor break stay on a frame forever, mocking the owner if they're cheap and "nasty" (I can't justify unnecessary upgrades). In addition, most companies match frame quality to component set, so that the novice will get a pointer as to the quality of the frame from the groupset.
I wouldn't deny that it is partially about bling - but there are few who are impartial to this commodity.
It would be fair to say that a frame which comes with multiple possible groupsets is best bought with the cheapest groupset (as long as it is not one that comes with Sora as an option :cool: )
:::SIGH::: If a component doesn't wear out, doesn't break and makes upgrades unnecessary, how can it be "cheap and 'nasty'"?

Most makers market bikes in niches: this is the SORA bike, this is the TIAGRA bike, this is the 105 bike, etc. The groupset is more often an indication of that market niche, not frame quality.

And we agree: buy a given frame with the cheapest groupset of decent quality.

Aside from the hideously cheap feeling brifters, what's the prob with Sora?
 
artemidorus said:
In addition, perhaps you didn't bother to read that I had already conceded that it was the most negotiable point?
Yes, and I think we agree more than disagree.
 
Ozark Bicycle said:
:::SIGH::: If a component doesn't wear out, doesn't break and makes upgrades unnecessary, how can it be "cheap and 'nasty'"?

Aside from the hideously cheap feeling brifters, what's the prob with Sora?
Simple answer: aesthetics. I've given the advice I would want to have been given in the same situation.
 
Ozark Bicycle said:
Most makers market bikes in niches: this is the SORA bike, this is the TIAGRA bike, this is the 105 bike, etc. The groupset is more often an indication of that market niche, not frame quality.
I'll have to defer to your greater experience as this has not been my impression over the years.
 
artemidorus said:
I'll have to defer to your greater experience as this has not been my impression over the years.


Perhaps the Australian market is different. Take a look at the big players in the US market (Cannondale, Giant, Specialized, Trek). What I see is the same frame sold over 2-4 "models" with different groupsets and, perhaps, different wheels. In some cases at the upper end, there is a huge price differential for the same frame with a different groupset (e.g., Ultegra v. Dura Ace). Bling factor, indeed.