A question for the more technically minded

smithosa

For the past year I've owned a Trek 1500, I love it, but the reality is I just don't get the use it merits. rune this parallel to the fact I am in desporate need of a bike to commute and I'm sure tyou can see where this queery is going.

In short I want to know if it would be possible to adjust my Trek 1500 in the neccassery ways to make it more of a commuting bike, I'm thinking straight bars, more robust wheels ect. I have for example no idea if limitations on my front forks or braking system simply makes this impossible without replacing bar the main frame, an option I can not afford.

Thoughts muchly apreciated

maddog 2

you'd need:

flat bar
mtb shifters (if you run a double), or...
dedicated flat bar shifters (if you run a triple)
flat bar/cantilever brake levers (not V brake levers as they pull too much cable for dula pivots)
bar ends
grips
and possibly a different sten, depending what you've currently got.

some clip-on mudguards
and some tyres of choice eg 28mm Conti 4 seasons

for all that it may well be better/easier to flog it and buy a dedicated commuter, maybe with discs, depending on how long the commute is and the terrain.

redddraggon

Drops are perfectly adequate for commuting, even better than flat bars in fact.

Just get some decent robust handbuilt wheels and you should be fine with using the Trek 1500 for commuting.

thexvw

I use drops for commuting, I was a bit worried about this at first but after a couple of days forgot all about it.

Interestingly most of my collegues who commute also use drops, one converted from a flatbar hybrid to a road bike last year. After the first few rides on the drops he said he would never go back. His old hybrid has been stuck in the garage in work ever since !.

You may want to look at tyres, probably a good idea to go for something with some puncture protection if they are due for replacement. I have recently gone up to 23\25 Roubaix tyres on my allez, it give a little better comfort for no noticable loss in speed. A set of mudguards is also a good idea.

Give it a try, if you really don't like after a while, you are probably better off buying a different flatbar bike for commuting.

pete.whelan

just turning the stem the other way up maygive you a bit more of an upright position that could help with commuting. I'd stay with the drops (easier to get through narrow gaps)