Mark Mitchell said:
I'm toying with the idea of putting a drop bar on my mtn bike to give
me more hand positions on my long commute. Problem is, my bike techy
knowledge is lacking. I'm comfortable doing most of the work, but I
don't know compatibilites.
Well, this one is kind of hard to do on a budget. The usual
recommendation is to just pick up a used comparable road bike. I've
taken the liberty of crossposting this to rb.tech.
Quoted message said:Hence the post.
Details
Bike late 90's Trek 6000
The suspension fork has been replaced with a rigid fork. The
deraillers are; F, Shimano Acera (triple) R, Shimano Deore LX (8).What I want is, dropped bars, probably bar-end shifters (friction is
fine), and move the bars up and/or back a bit to take some weight off
my hands.
Bar-ends are definitely a good choice for this. There are still eight
speed ones available, and since the left shifter is friction you don't
have to worry about the different ratio for mountain/road front
derailleurs.
Peter white has them for $65.
http://www.peterwhitecycles.com/roadshifters.asp
Jenson for $56
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/SL407A09-Shimano+Ultegra+8+Speed+Bar+End+Shifters.aspx
The other thing to consider is that road brake levers will pull a
different amount of cable. I'm assuming you have cantilever brakes.
You'll probably have to get a travel agent pulley to change the ratio or
get the Tektro Oryx (~$20) - which work well with road levers.
Quoted message said:I'm a tightwad *and* broke so money is a primary concern. Scroungable
stuff preferred.
Quoted message said:I have access to a couple stores in the area with used bikes and
parts.
That's another definite plus.
Quoted message said:Once I have a parts list, I can start scrounging and adding up costs.
What am I looking at to make this work?
Drop bars - should be able to be find those used no problem
Bar tape - new
Cables and housing - new
Bar-ends - try used, might have to buy new
Brake levers - Should be available used
Travel Agent or Oryx brakes - Probably going to have to buy new
Stem - your old one will probably not place your drop bars in a good
position. I'll let others tell you the best option for this. I'm
assuming you have a threaded headset - you might consider a
quill->threadless adapter and then use a threadless stem.
I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but this is probably a good start.
--
Dane Buson - [email hidden]
Come fill the cup and in the fire of spring
Your winter garment of repentence fling.
The bird of time has but a little way
To flutter -- and the bird is on the wing.
-- Omar Khayyam