Originally Posted by lol168 .
I see a great improvement on my hands numbness issue. Now the only thing is when I try to ride faster, I started understand the "aerodynamic issue". Well, I guess you can't have it all (lol).... and it validate my strong desire to get a new road bike!?
FYI. If the idea of MOUSTACHE handlebars doesn't work for you, then you can certainly put DROP handlebars + ROAD shifters on ANY bike for less than the cost of a new bike ...
- and, if a 48t chainring doesn't provide tall enough gearing, you can always change the crankset to a Road crankset
Here are three of my bikes (
as pictured, they are in different states of assembly) which typically would not have Drop handlebars + Road shifters ...
The first is a HYBRID frame with a Cyclocross fork ...
The second is a MTB frame which would normally use 26" wheels but which I configured to use 700c wheels ... a Carbon Fiber Road fork + Road brake calipers were installed ...
And, the third is a MTB frame with Drop bars + Road crankset ... while the bike current has cantilever brake calipers, I may change them to "mini" V-brake calipers -- "mini" V-brakes are compatible with Road brake levers ....
Despite the Campagnolo shifters, all three bikes have Shimano derailleurs.
FYI. 10-speed Campagnolo are compatible with both 8-and-9-speed Shimano drivetrains -- a direct swap to achieve 8-speed indexing, and a minor tweak in the rear derailleur cable attachment to achieve 9-speed indexing ...
So, you would only need to choose the handlebar shape that suits your preference + a set of 10-speed Campagnolo shifters + handlebar tape & cables/housing + "mini" V-brake calipers.
- Cost should be under $200 if you buy the components via eBay + DIY
- other than deciding which handlebars to buy (width & shape) & waiting for them to arrive in the mail, wrapping the handlebars will take the most time & possibly the most effort!
- you only have to detach the cables from their respective derailleurs & brakes
- remove the current handlebars
- install the new handlebars and/or stem (change the stem LATER if the reach is too long)
- install the brake levers (a 5mm Allen wrench with a LONG shaft is required for most shifters, otherwise an annoying TORX [25] wrench) & cables/housing
- attach the cables to their respective derailleurs & brake calipers
- after you locate the levers where you want them then tape the cable housing against the handlebars with tape -- I don't know why people recommend electrical tape unless those people re-wrap their handlebars every month because the adhesive used on most electrical tape becomes a gooey mess over time ... personally, I recommend either masking tape, packing tape ... anything but cellophane tape.
- adjust cable tension
- test
- adjust cable tension
- wrap handlebars
- done!
If the stops on your derailleurs are properly adjusted, now, then you do not have to worry about them.
Some tools are required, of course -- the fore mentioned 5mm Allen wrench or Torx wrench if you opt for Campagnolo's more recent (
and, supposedly more ergonomic), V3 shifters (
mostly, those are 11-speed shifters ... which can ALSO be indexed to 9-speed Shimano drivetrains & will probably work with an 8-speed configuration to some extent).
Here is Chris Juden's compatibility matrix:
The skill level which is required is about what it takes to remove & replace the cap from a pickle jar.
YouTube + www.parktool.com should have any necessary information if something dosn't look obvious.