Flatbar Conversion

redjeepǃ

My son's off to Uni and wanted a bike to commute on. He already has a decent roadbike, but we didn't want to use that due to the likelyhood of theft so we found an old steel dropbarred Raleigh.

He wants to convert it to flatbar and I was thinking of getting some MTB style trigger shifters and a set of flat bars.

The bikes an 8 speed, with Shimano STI (Tiagra) shifters, am I right in assuming that we can use any Shimano 8 speed trigger shifters ? Are the SRAM shifters compatable ?

Is there anything else I need to be careful off ?

Smokin Joe

What are "Flatbars" :?:

redjeepǃ

Smokin Joe wrote:

What are "Flatbars" :?:

Something like this http://www.evanscycles.com/products/easton/ea70-xc-flat-bar-ec023431

desweller

You'll be OK with the rear mech and the 8-speed MTB shifter, but you will need to look for cantilever-compatible (rather than V-brake compatible) brake levers. Also, you may run into difficulty with the front mech; the cable pull is slightly different for MTB mechs to road mechs.

Only the very bottom of the range SRAM shifters will be compatible (not the 1:1 units).

HTH.

redjeepǃ

Thanks Des. I was wondering about the V-Brakes and wasn't sure if they'd be compatable, I've just read Sheldon Browns comments as well, so understand now why they won't work (twice the pull = half the force)..

I'll have a look for a rear shifter and may just disconnect the front mech all together whilst we figure it out.

desweller

It's worth fitting the left hand shifter anyway - I've never tried it, and some people on here claim to have made it work so it's worth trying, maybe by playing around with the cable clamping arrangement.

redjeepǃ

Thanks again. I'll give it a try if I can find some cheap (used ?) shifters and brakes. I'm reluctant to spend much money on this one as it's going to be a beater bike and I'm concious it may get stolen (I have already spent more money on a U lock than the bike cost).

topdude

Check out this post, it covers what you need to know.

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

desweller

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Shimano-EF28-Shifter-Brake-Lever-Combo-Set-3-X-8-Speed-/220855892059?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item336c09785b?

redjeepǃ

Thanks TopDude and Des. I had searched, but didn't see that thread !

I got some shifters and brake levers out of my LBS's used parts bins today, so now just need the bars.

mouth

i'd leave it on drops mate