Flat Bar Conversion Project

bendertherobot

Just want something more relaxed for commuting (rain etc) and winter (snow tyres etc).

Rather than buy a hybrid I plan to convert my Condor Bivio X.

Best options appear to be:

SRAM Doubletap bar shifters (10 speed)

and

Shimano Deore M615 brakes.

All in about £145.

Any thoughts?

apreading

Also need a flat bar (unless you already have one) and probably a different stem to get the bar position right as with the drop bars the hoods that you hold are further forward than the stem clamp. Generally, a properly designed hybrid will have a longer top tube to fix the position without needing a really long stem.

bendertherobot

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19638865#p19638865]apreading[/url] wrote:

Also need a flat bar (unless you already have one) and probably a different stem to get the bar position right as with the drop bars the hoods that you hold are further forward than the stem clamp. Generally, a properly designed hybrid will have a longer top tube to fix the position without needing a really long stem.

The bike's on the big side anyway. A 55 where my others are 53/54. So that should be ok. Stem and bars cheap, only going to set me back £30 or so. Given the time I spend on top of the bars currently I'm not convinced that the current stem (perhaps flipped) wouldn't be ok.

apreading

If you are comfy on the tops rather than the hoods then yes, you may well find you are OK.

Will need grips too, ideally lock on type - again quite cheap though.

Oh, and a bell!

bendertherobot

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19638889#p19638889]apreading[/url] wrote:

If you are comfy on the tops rather than the hoods then yes, you may well find you are OK.

Will need grips too, ideally lock on type - again quite cheap though.

Oh, and a bell!

I actually don't mind having a bell. Another reason for this is more bar real estate. Can only really run two lights on there in the winter and even then it's a push.

zanelad

Keep us updated please.

I've long wanted to build a flat bar bike, but was never sure if I could take any road frame, or whether the geometry for a flat bar bike was very much different to a drop bar bike.

I was to embarrassed to ask on here, up 'til now anyway. Flame away

bendertherobot

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19638963#p19638963]Zanelad[/url] wrote:

Keep us updated please.

I've long wanted to build a flat bar bike, but was never sure if I could take any road frame, or whether the geometry for a flat bar bike was very much different to a drop bar bike.

I was to embarrassed to ask on here, up 'til now anyway. Flame away

The geo thing is a mystery, at the moment. But people have done it to all sorts.

https://youtu.be/fNJKayacC2o

handful

Hi Bendertherobot

Having done a conversion the other way some time ago I have a flat bar and Sram trigger shifters knocking around if you want to make a sensible offer! I also have some brakes but they are single digit V brakes so probably not much use to you. PM if interested

bendertherobot

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19638986#p19638986]handful[/url] wrote:

Hi Bendertherobot

Having done a conversion the other way some time ago I have a flat bar and Sram trigger shifters knocking around if you want to make a sensible offer! I also have some brakes but they are single digit V brakes so probably not much use to you. PM if interested

Are they the 10 speed SRAM doubletap ones?

handful

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19638998#p19638998]bendertherobot[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19638986#p19638986]handful[/url] wrote:

Hi Bendertherobot

Having done a conversion the other way some time ago I have a flat bar and Sram trigger shifters knocking around if you want to make a sensible offer! I also have some brakes but they are single digit V brakes so probably not much use to you. PM if interested

Are they the 10 speed SRAM doubletap ones?

Yes mate, they are these ones, came with SRAM Apex groupset.

https://www.sram.com/sram/road/products/sl-700-10-speed-shifters

Original bike was this one but mine also had bar ends (which I still have if you want them.)

http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/catalog/product.php?CI_ID=15587


Edit, better picture http://www.damianharriscycles.co.uk/prod/roa_0001_md/moda-chord-fitness-2011-flat-bar-road-bike

Druidor

Don't forget the bling.

Ouija

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19639037#p19639037]handful[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19638998#p19638998]bendertherobot[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19638986#p19638986]handful[/url] wrote:

Hi Bendertherobot

Having done a conversion the other way some time ago I have a flat bar and Sram trigger shifters knocking around if you want to make a sensible offer! I also have some brakes but they are single digit V brakes so probably not much use to you. PM if interested

Are they the 10 speed SRAM doubletap ones?

Yes mate, they are these ones, came with SRAM Apex groupset.

https://www.sram.com/sram/road/products/sl-700-10-speed-shifters

Original bike was this one but mine also had bar ends (which I still have if you want them.)

http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/catalog/product.php?CI_ID=15587


Edit, better picture http://www.damianharriscycles.co.uk/prod/roa_0001_md/moda-chord-fitness-2011-flat-bar-road-bike

Those aren't double taps but, frankly, dual thumb levers work just as well.


Oh! And to the OP, get some urgon comfort grips (or similar) as your hands are going to be in the same position all the time.

apreading

Ywar - I swar by the narrow Specialized BG Contour grips www.evanscycles.com/products/specialized/contour-lock-grip-narrow-ec021314

Not only do the have the rest like the Ergon grips, but they are made of really soft material that also helps absorb any road vibrations. Couple them with simple bar ends and I ride 100+ miles in total comfort and several hand positions.

veronese68

I think I have a brand new M615 rear brake sitting unused in the garage. I bought it when I was struggling to set up my Parabox but managed to sort it eventually. One of the many things I should list in the classifieds. Let me know if you're interested.

handful

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19639161#p19639161]Ouija[/url] wrote:

[quote="

Yes mate, they are these ones, came with SRAM Apex groupset.

https://www.sram.com/sram/road/products/sl-700-10-speed-shifters

Original bike was this one but mine also had bar ends (which I still have if you want them.)

http://www.discountcyclesdirect.co.uk/catalog/product.php?CI_ID=15587


Edit, better picture http://www.damianharriscycles.co.uk/prod/roa_0001_md/moda-chord-fitness-2011-flat-bar-road-bike

Those aren't double taps but, frankly, dual thumb levers work just as well.

[/quote]

Oops :oops: Apologies, I didn't mean to mislead you, didn't realise they did a true double tap flatbar shifter! Like Oija says though, they work perfectly well.

bendertherobot

Cheers for the offers dudes, still mulling what to do. I deffo want doubletap (single) shifters as I'm used to it and am not keen on the SRAM double ones.

veronesse, I might take you up on that!

Was mulling over the position last night as I commuted the 20 miles home in the pouring rain.

Would I be more comfortable? What length bar? (580?)

Would it be better? Tricky. I know braking will be better. Arguably shifting more convenient. Would I be too upright all the time with little ability to change position. Hmm...

FWIW, the Bivio is a really great bike. I'd forgotten how good given I haven't ridden it in a while.

kleinstroker

Hey Bender,
Not sure why you wouldnt go with the Shimano R770 shifters, they are much easier to set up than the Srams at least thats what I found, espcially front derailleur.

bendertherobot

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19640727#p19640727]kleinstroker[/url] wrote:

Hey Bender,
Not sure why you wouldnt go with the Shimano R770 shifters, they are much easier to set up than the Srams at least thats what I found, espcially front derailleur.

Because my mechs are SRAM. Changing them would cost me! At the moment, selling my Apex shifters and Trp Hy Rd and getting the SRAM shifters/Shimano brakes should be, at most, cost neutral.

bendertherobot

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19640938#p19640938]bendertherobot[/url] wrote:

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19640727#p19640727]kleinstroker[/url] wrote:

Hey Bender,
Not sure why you wouldnt go with the Shimano R770 shifters, they are much easier to set up than the Srams at least thats what I found, espcially front derailleur.

Because my mechs are SRAM. Changing them would cost me! At the moment, selling my Apex shifters and Trp Hy Rd and getting the SRAM shifters/Shimano brakes should be, at most, cost neutral.

That said, SLX shifters are £37 at Merlin, XT mech £37, front mech, peanuts. I could probably change the whole shebang and make money.......

Ouija

Not dissing the flat bar double taps (own some) but the double lever SRAM shifters are way more ergonomic and require less effort when shifting.

bendertherobot

I love SRAM, but was never keen on the double levers as you push both the same way. Much preferred the Shimano push and release method.

ravenvrider

I converted my old trainer (an old 2008 specialized allez pro with various upgrades) to flatbar 18 months ago for commuting purposes, as i had an old dura ace rear mech i got a shimano 9 speed (yes that old) hybrid trigger set, a set of bars, grips and road flatbar levers, i chopped the bars down to 420mm the same width as my drops, felt a bit wierd to start with but turns out its the best thing i ever did, i can get through really tight gaps and i now have much better control and braking than on my drops, for commuting its really worth doing, to be honest i also prefer going down hill on it over my summer bike for the same reasons.

bendertherobot

Sold!

So, next question.

Medium cage Shimano Shadow XT mech. Running with a 50/34 compact and 11-32 cassette.

Mech says 35t capacity. What does that mean? Will it work?

ravenvrider

Yep i have my xtr medium cage running a 11-32 cassette on my mtb.

Must be hilly where you are i run mine old school 52/38 12-25.....there again compacts weren't even a thought when my bike came out

bendertherobot

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19641829#p19641829]ravenvrider[/url] wrote:

Yep i have my xtr medium cage running a 11-32 cassette on my mtb.

Must be hilly where you are i run mine old school 52/38 12-25.....there again compacts weren't even a thought when my bike came out

Just checking. You have a 11-32. But what chainset with that one? Does it even matter?

bendertherobot

Oh and, to clutch or not to clutch?

kleinstroker

My Flandria Super Sport is running full tiagra groupset same as road set except FD is an FD R-440 which matches pull to the SL-R440 shifters, rear derailleur pull is same no matter which Shimano shifter combo you use. More details

http://www.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/au/index/products/road/flat_handlebar.html

definitely best option for commuting and weaving in and out of traffic, I see all the guys on the drops and wonder how they do it!

veronese68

I think you only really need a clutch if you're doing really rough stuff, it helps to stop the chain slapping into the stay.
If you are changing to Shimano you should get ispecB shifters as they attach to the brake levers freeing up more bar space. I didn't think about this when building my MTB and later changed using a conversion kit.
The brake I have is a compatible. I did actually fit it to the MTB and then removed it as I couldn't cope with having XT drivetrain and front brake and a 615 rear. So it has been bolted on briefly. It's one of these for the left side rear brake.

bendertherobot

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19641937#p19641937]Veronese68[/url] wrote:

I think you only really need a clutch if you're doing really rough stuff, it helps to stop the chain slapping into the stay.
If you are changing to Shimano you should get ispecB shifters as they attach to the brake levers freeing up more bar space. I didn't think about this when building my MTB and later changed using a conversion kit.
The brake I have is a compatible. I did actually fit it to the MTB and then removed it as I couldn't cope with having XT drivetrain and front brake and a 615 rear. So it has been bolted on briefly. It's one of these for the left side rear brake.

Ta! That's another question I had (I spec). If I do go ahead how much would you want for that brake?

bendertherobot

So, just checking. I need this lot:

Levers
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-xt-m780-10-speed-rapidfire-pods-i-spec-b/

Brakes
http://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-deore-m615-disc-brakes-front-rear-set-62194.html (or one and veronesse's)

Rear Mech
http://www.merlincycles.com/shimano-xt-m781-10-speed-rear-mech-58066.html
(medium cage enough? I have Wifli on there at the moment, so long cage?)

Front mech
Hmmm, XT mech says 44t outer. I have a compact. What do I need here?

veronese68

[url=http://www.bikeradar.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=19642083#p19642083]bendertherobot[/url] wrote:

If I do go ahead how much would you want for that brake?

£20 plus post, I think I pay £3 for posting from here. I'll PM you.
Regarding your front mech you may have to use a road mech, but check if pull ratio is the same. I'm not sure on that. What do they use on things like a flat bar London Road with Shimano?