Can I modify a road bike?

flyer

I really want a nice road bike but want flat bars. I know this unorthodox, however I feel much happier on flats. I have had a Roubiax for 3 years and sold it 8 months ago.

I have searched everywhere for a Carbon bike with flat handlebar but other than Trek 7.9 or Specialized Sirrus Pro, which are both sold out and there looks to be nothing else other than a Carbon mountain bike!

My main question is can I get flats fitted to a new road bike?

Would this be costly?

Is there any major reason not to do this?

Thanks

Flyer

HadronCyclist

The STI style levers wouldn't be mountable on a flat bar, so you would need :

new bar (compatible with your stem)
new shifters
new brake levers (can be integrated with the shifters)
new grips
new cables (if the originals cannot be re-used)

to give you an idea, we recently quoted someone upwards of £200 for this for mid level parts. Without the labour.

Of course selling the old bits on e-bay will probably pay for this... PM if you want to know anything more.

FSR_XC

You want something like this then: http://www.planet-x-bikes.co.uk/i/q/CBP ... ybrid-bike

jonny_trousers

May I ask why you want the expensive advantages of carbon if you don't want the aerodynamic advantages of drop bars? There are plenty of fast, light, flat-barred bikes that take 700c wheels out there, but I can't imagine many that will be made from carbon fibre.

LeicesterLad

Jonny_Trousers wrote:

May I ask why you want the expensive advantages of carbon if you don't want the aerodynamic advantages of drop bars? There are plenty of fast, light, flat-barred bikes that take 700c wheels out there, but I can't imagine many that will be made from carbon fibre.

+1 - I cant seen any advantage of spending big bucks on an aero carbon frame if you are after flat bars, better spending less on a ready to ride flat bar Alu frame, save the money on the carbon, save the money on modifications, get the riding style you want.

Speedmenace

I wanted to do the same when I got my first road bike, then after a couple weeks I loved having road handle bars, more control, more stable and faster. Don't know why you'd even consider flats > road bars IMO

topdude

My main question is can I get flats fitted to a new road bike?

See this post http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=12781519&highlight=flat+bars

Less than £100 if you do it yourself and you can sell the old parts to cover the cost

Bozman

I did the same conversion on a Trek a while back to use as a commuter, it's a doddle to do but if you do it, watch the brakes because they bite!
I used - Shimano Rapid Fire 10sp shifters(R770?). Deore brake levers(Avid 7 are a better alternative), Ritchey wcs alloy flat bars and Ritchey grips.
It'll be alot cheaper if you're 9 speed because the 10sp shifters are expensive.

P.S I swapped back to drops because i couldn't get on with flats.

Flamez

How about a pro boadman hybrid?