Flat bar conversion/ hydraulic discs/ single chain ring

dinyull

Hi all

I currently commute on a drop bar Planet X London Road - a do it all road bike with disc brakes, mudguard mounts and big clearance for tyres but I'm thinking about converting it to flar bar, changing the brakes from mechanical disc to hydraulic and possibly running a single chain ring.

Flat bar is a straightforward job - new bar, brake levers and thumb shifters.

But being a roadie I haven't got a clue about what hydraulic brake system would suit or what I'd need to run a single chain ring.

I'm assuming any mtb brakes would work - as long as they're post mount to suit my frame?

What do I need to look for with a single chain ring? Any chainset suggestions? Both my road bikes run 52/36 chainset and 11-28 on the rear - with the flat bar conversion I won't need such a tall top end and probably want a few gears on the bottom too. Thinking a CX range of gears would suit to allow some off-road riding.

I'm also trying to do this on a budget haha. The groupset on this bike is going onto another frame so I'm starting from scratch. Been looking at Claris/Sora parts so sadly SRAM Apex 1x @ £500+ is a no go.

All suggestions and knowledge welcome, need as much help as I can get cheers!

bendertherobot

40t front and 11-36 will do most things. You can't mix and match Shimano road stuff so you have to make a decision between Shimano MTB or SRAM (which WILL mix)

You can mix and match brake levers, shifters as they are separate. But shimano better as you can bolt the shifter housing to the brakeset.

What's your max?

bendertherobot

I set mine up with a Deore/SLX mix. You don't really have to worry about clutches IMO. But, if you want one, plenty around.

So, you need:

Right hand shifter : i Spec B, bolts to brakes, http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-xt-m780 ... -i-spec-b/

Rear mech :http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-slx-m7000-10-speed-rear-derailleur?sku=540636&source=igodigital

No need for front mech

Brakes, something like this:http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-slx-m7000-brake-lever-and-caliper/

Obvs, cassette, chain.

Front ring, I'd hunt down a 40/42t SRAM apex chainset

dinyull

bendertherobot wrote:

40t front and 11-36 will do most things. You can't mix and match Shimano road stuff so you have to make a decision between Shimano MTB or SRAM (which WILL mix)

You can mix and match brake levers, shifters as they are separate. But shimano better as you can bolt the shifter housing to the brakeset.

Initial thoughts were probably Claris or Sora shifters, mechs and cassette with MTB brake calipers and levers.

Would happily go SRAM though - it's just Shimano is all I've used.

bendertherobot wrote:

What's your max?

Monies? I'd be able to spend £200 but don't really want to. I'll be on the lookout for bargains and searching ebay/gumtree.

bendertherobot

Sora and Claris are, weirdly, quite expensive.

You only need one shifter, go 10 speed. http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-slx-m67 ... dfire-pod/

Shadow mech £32

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/shimano-rd-m670 ... erailleur/

Brakes are going to be spendy. But Elixir, which are ok, can be done for £54 https://www.merlincycles.com/avid-elixi ... 48505.html you will need rotors, and check what mounts you have

Cassette and chain should be £30 or so. Leaves you £50-£60 for a chainset.

dinyull

Cheers Bender, food for thought!

Not desperate to convert just yet, so can take my time trying scouring the net picking up bits as and when.

bendertherobot

Dinyull wrote:

Cheers Bender, food for thought!

Not desperate to convert just yet, so can take my time trying scouring the net picking up bits as and when.

It's dead easy if you're patient. All the 10 speed stuff works together (Shimano)

I'd take Shimano over SRAM/Avid MTB brakes at the lower end every day of the week though

veronese68

bendertherobot wrote:

I'd take Shimano over SRAM/Avid MTB brakes at the lower end every day of the week though

So would I, although I think SRAM/Avid are probably better than they were. Deore is usually mentioned as the price/quality sweet spot in the Shimano brake range.
Regarding clutch rear mech's I don't think that's an issue if you're not bouncing around off road too much.

kleinstroker

bendertherobot wrote:

40t front and 11-36 will do most things. You can't mix and match Shimano road stuff so you have to make a decision between Shimano MTB or SRAM (which WILL mix)

Are you sure about that? The ultegra flat bar stuff will go with any matching 10 speed road derailleurs i.e. 6700, 7900 etc, front and back. Have it on mine.

bendertherobot

kleinstroker wrote:

bendertherobot wrote:

40t front and 11-36 will do most things. You can't mix and match Shimano road stuff so you have to make a decision between Shimano MTB or SRAM (which WILL mix)

Are you sure about that? The ultegra flat bar stuff will go with any matching 10 speed road derailleurs i.e. 6700, 7900 etc, front and back. Have it on mine.

I meant mix and match Shimano road and MTB stuff.

mtb-idle

dont forget the narrow wide (I/O) chainring if you are going single up front. Stops the chain dropping.

inbike

If you already have a working 10 (or 9 or 8 ) speed double, then buying the matching Shimano flat bar road shifters will be by far the cheapest option and make it easy to swap back later if you hate it.

dinyull

inbike wrote:

If you already have a working 10 (or 9 or 8 ) speed double, then buying the matching Shimano flat bar road shifters will be by far the cheapest option and make it easy to swap back later if you hate it.

I have inherited an old hack that pretty much matches what I'm trying to achieve - aside from the hydro brakes. Will give this ago before I press ahead.