Which bits for flatbar - mtn, road, sora or ultegra?

Stuart123

I've ordered a Kona Major Jake frameset which I will ride only on the road.

I won't go into the pros/cons of that decision (eg. room for wider tyres).

I'm wondering what bits I should add to it? Will be used in flatbar format. I have no experience of using bits above Sora quality.

Choices are:

1. Use existing sora stuff with approx 5-6000 km use (works like new still)

2. Buy something better eg ultegra. If I do this I would need to purchase:
* chain
* chainset
* BB
* rear + front der
* flatbar shifters

3. Other choices eg. mtn bike shifters (I would not bother upgrading unless 105 level or equivalent and most likely would go for ultegra).


So my questions are:

1. Should I bother upgrading or just wait til the sora gets clunky and replace then

2. Should I consider anything other than ultegra... what are the ergonomics/usability/value of mtn bike components in comparison (shifters particularly, but plse comment on anything)


Cheers
Stuart

Wheelspinner

Shimano do some very fine flat bar shifters which will work with 10 speed road gear

http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/Models.aspx?ModelID=35084

You also will need the brake levers, R550 or R770 to match, which are lovely.

They also recommend you use the specific front mech, R770, although I'd guess any 10 speed might be made to work. You can use a triple too if you need it, with the R773 jobbie.

With these you can run Ultegra or even Dura Ace 10 sp rear mech, chain, etc. I've built a bike with the Dura Ace bits and the shifting is very slick indeed. Light too...

There's usually plenty of Ebay bargains for chainset and BB combos, especially on superseded models like 6600 Ultegra or 7800 Dura Ace.

I think biggest difference between the road and MTB stuff is in the gearing you can get. MTB rear derailleurs all have medium to long cages, with associated extra chain length to allow for triple rings and 13-32 cassettes etc. On a road bike you don;t need that (not where I live anyway!) Way too much chain slap results on teh road with the higher cadence you ride.

Road stuff is usually lighter too.