East Hill

Can anyone give me some assistance with this problem?

I have a hybrid bike. I understand that hybrids are closer to road bikes than to mountain bikes. My question is this: is is possible to swap the flat handlebars for drop bars? If it's possible, does it make sense to do so? I want to segue into longer rides (I'm just commuting on my bike right now) and I hear that drop bars are the way to go for comfort.

Thanks in advance for any input.

East Hill

barba

I prefer drops way more than flat bars.

The only problem you will likely have is that your brake levers and shifters may not mount on a drop bar.

Tapeworm21

Brake levers, shifters, bar wrap, and possibly a new stem. Those are things to be aware of. Maybe even new brakes, because they may "pull" differently. I'd recommend selling it and buying a road bike... it would be less irritating and possibly cheaper.

East Hill

So it's not as easy as it looks?

East Hill

HardyWeinberg

How much longer than your commute are you thinking? I would guess 20 miles or so you should be able to do on any bike, give you a handle on where the wear and tear really hits you from your current setup (is it your butt more than your shoulders, or somewhere else entirely).

AndrewP

I did it on my Peugeot hybrid. Easy but expensive. Drop bar, tape, in-line cable adjusters, Sora brifters, adjustable quill stem. I needed a slightly shorter stem, but the adjustable stem allowed me to adjust both reach and height. I havent had any trouble with it coming loose. I made the conversion to ease the ride home on my 17 mile commute, which usually involved a headwind, however I find it most comfortable to ride in the drops. I fitted extensions to the upshift buttons, to ease shifting from the drops. Dont wrap the bars until you have finished adjusting bar angle and brake lever positioning.

maddmaxx 

It would depent on what control group you have on the hybred. ie what shifter and brake levers, what front derailleur.
If your hybred has a flatbar road control group then bar, stem, shifter/brake levers, wrap and possibly cables will do it.
If you presently have an MTB group then add a front derailleur and possibly some changes to the brakes which may involve something like a "travel agent" or even different brake calipers.
Depending on who does the job and where you buy the parts it can be easy or not. Sorry, each case depends on the specifics.

MtbVA

Have you thought about using bar ends?

supcom

It's really not that difficult but it's a bit of work. I have done it. You'll need new bars of course, and brake lever/shifters. You;ll almost certainly need a new stem as the clamp diameter of your current stem is probably 25.4mm. It is possible to get a 25.4mm drop bar, but most are larger.

You will need to do something about the brakes. If you have V-brakes, you'll need to either get a couple Travel Agent pulleys to convert the shorter pull of road levers to the longer pull needed by V-brakes. Alternatively, you can replace the V-brakes with cantis, but you;ll need cable hangers and it's a lot more effort and expense with no performance benefit.

You'll also need new brake and shifter cables and housings. These may come with the brifters. And finally (whew) you'll need some bar tape.

Is it worth it? If you ride long distance and need to get lower in the drops occasionally, then yes it is worth it. It's cheaper than buying a new bike. But if you are just suffering road bike envy, then save your money.

East Hill

You've all convinced me that it may be easier just to buy the new bike (not that I really need any more ). How about this scenario?

I'd like to put drops on this:



Easier? (The handlebars are at a more normal angle now--I'd just finished putting this together when I took the photo)

East Hill

pj7

I'm in the slow process of putting drop bars on an old Schwinn Crosscut that came with a flat bar and has mountain bike components. However, I work in a machine shop and the route I am taking is quite easy for me to do so.
Take a look at how the GMC Denali bike is set up, that is what I am doing. I'm going to cut the bars, slide on all the components, turn a collet on the mill, and weld it all back together. No need to purchase anything other than bar tape and a new quill stem.

there are other options for you East Hill, such as those drop-style bar ends I have seen posted on here, not sure of the price. Even butterfly bars give you some nice lower positions. I have butterfly bars on my commuter and love them!

East Hill

I don't have bar ends on any of my bikes, that's an interesting thought. I know almost all of my bikes are either DT or stem shifters, because I like old steel bikes. But bar ends....hmmm.

Pj7, do you have any photos of your set up with the butterfly bars?

East Hill

Little Darwin

East Hill,

If you don't mind staying with stem shifters you can convert that bike pretty easily.

Look for drop bars with the same clamp diameter as what you have, and new brake levers.
Install, tape and ride.

The reach of the stem may need some tweaking, which of course would mean you may need to replace the stem, but other than that you should do well.

maddmaxx 

I'd be curious what would result if you were to merely turn these bars upside down. They look similar to some wide touring drops. Cost $0. Just an experiment to try.

East Hill

Oh! I'll try that when I get home. You're right, it wouldn't cost me anything just to experiment.

Little Darwin, you know I'm good with the stem shifters, so if flipping the bars doesn't work, I'll work on your angle.

East Hill

charlisity

Yep. This will end up giving you drops with sides that are spread apart instead of the traditional straight down curve. Yours will curve down and out. It should be fine since you are use to that particular bar width. See some pictures of the setup here:

https://velospace.org/node/2218
https://velospace.org/node/1187

Your bars look like they will drop a little more than either of these two samples but you get the picture.

East Hill

Thank you charlisity, I just took a spin on the Raleigh, and even though it's not too bad with the upright stance, I really do prefer drops. The second link is very good at showing the concept. That Falcon is a beautiful colour--is it yours?

East Hill

charlisity

I wish.

East Hill

If it makes you feel better, you know it would be way too big for me .

East Hill

pj7

Sorry, I have no pictures of anything online. I never had the inclination to.

East Hill

All right, thanks!

East Hill