Drops to flats, how hard?

[Garlick]

Now I have the Orbea, my Giant is being used for more general cycling like popping to the shop.

With all the mods I made to it it's still a good bike, and rather fast too but as it's based around a Defy it won't be worth much on the used market. However I have an idea.....

Fit some flat pedals, small mudguards and swap the drop bars for some straight ones. That way I'll have a speedy hack bike that can be used for commuting and general knocking about on, but will be something I can ride in my jeans and shoes if I fancy popping to the pub.

If I swap to flat bars i'll need new brake levers too, but the question is how to adapt the gear changers? Can I get any that will work relatively easily with my current groupset (pretty basic Shimano triple) or is it rather difficult?

Ta in advance

[Dr S LB]

Just ditch the gears and go singlespeed. Its just a shop/hack/pub bike afterall.

[Garlick]

Considered that if it was all a bit too complicated.

If possible I'd like to keep the gears, but would consider single speed if the conversion was too much hassle.

[Roman]

Good idea.

Deore thumbshifters & V brake levers should work fine (as per Specialized Sirrus) 'The Woolly Hat Shop' on ebay is great for these items:
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/Woolly-Hat-Shop

I recommend BBB bars (ali or carbon) & riser stem. Built a few hybrids mixing Shimano road & mtb stuff this way & currently looking for a small Defy/SCR frame to build another for my sis.

I usually use a single chainring (38t-42t) with an 11-34 cassette if building from scratch.

Edited by Roman on Saturday 30th October 13:37

[curlie467]

I have a carrera gryphon set up with flat bars, i have been toying with the idea of fitting drops but cant afford the gear/brake levers. What is your setup and would you be in for doing some sort of deal.

Mine is a 24 speed bike, tiagra rear derailleur and sora triple up front. It has tektro brake levers and shimano 8 shifters, these fit on to mountain bike riser bars which are a polished silver with a polished silver 25.4mm stem. You could use any mtb bars though.

Watcha reckon, all on very good condition as the bike is barely used showing a staggering 110 miles on the clock, not bad for a 9 year old bike!

Edited by curlie467 on Saturday 30th October 15:14

[drfrank]

Flog your defy and buy a Giant FCR.

I picked one up 2nd hand (9mths old) for 300 euro

Will tick all the boxes

[Garlick]

Thanks guys.

As for the swap, maybe but I'd like to consider getting new bars that continue the theme of the bike. I'll have a ponder on it though.

As for selling it, it's just not worth it. Like a modified car it's only worth what a standard one us worth, and Defy 4's aren't worth a lot. During my time I've fitted a new lightweight seat, carbon post, RS20 wheels (may be swapped with the R500s on my Orbea), Look pedals, Easton full carbon forks and conti tyres making it a good fast bike, but not worth what it owes me 2nd hand.

If I flat bar it, I'll have a fast commuter that's capable of being used as a hack too, and I'll get my more payback from the mods too. Plus I reckon it will look pretty cool if done with some thought

[AyBee]

Why are you wanting to get rid of the drops for flats for commuting? I'm in a similar situation in that I have a reasonably decent road bike and mountain bike, however, I don't want to use either to commute on when I move to London in a few days but I was looking at single speeds with drop handlebars...

Can't help in your situation though I'm afraid apart from to suggest buying bits second hand as they come up if you're not in a huge hurry!

[Garlick]

My reasons are simply to have two different styles of bike. I have my Orbea with drops but also like the flat bar look.

I think I would use the Giant more if it had a new lease of life, perhaps I just fancy a change. I have commuted many times with the current bars, but the thought of having a bike that offers the speed, with a more casual look and use appeals....

[milu]

Just as some encouragement....I have a Giant rapid which I believe is pretty much the flat bar equivalent of the Defy.
I really like it and find it easy to zip about on,so I think your plan sounds like a good idea.

[BliarOut]

You need a set of plastic MTB shifters with the correct indexing, mechs will work perfectly.

You prepping for L2B then?

[Jimbo.]

Flat bars will make the bike "cockpit" a LOT shorter: remember the hoods extend another what, 3" away from the stem, so road bikes have short(er) top-tubes to compensate.

Keep the drops: flats on the road are rubbish.

[Garlick]

Good point Jimbo.

Might just pop some flat pedals on to save having to wear my cleats when popping to the shops then, but might pop the bars off and use a prop to get a rough feel for the ride anyway.

[Garlick]

anonymous said:

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