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road bike into a hybrid

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Old 10-09-13, 06:38 PM
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skidmark72
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road bike into a hybrid

Just bought a new carbon fiber road bike and I hate the way it feels. Being all hunkered over. Im use to mtn bikes with straight handle bars. Can I put straight handle bars on a road bike and change the shifter and brake leavers. Thanks for the help. I guess im trying to turn a road bike into a hybrid bike I think
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Old 10-09-13, 06:58 PM
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Why did you buy a bike you don't like?
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Old 10-09-13, 07:01 PM
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Originally Posted by bbbean
Why did you buy a bike you don't like?
^^
That. Also, you may just need time to get used to the new position. Otherwise maybe the shop will take it back and get you a bike you like.
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Old 10-09-13, 07:06 PM
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Originally Posted by skidmark72
Just bought a new carbon fiber road bike and I hate the way it feels. Being all hunkered over. Im use to mtn bikes with straight handle bars. Can I put straight handle bars on a road bike and change the shifter and brake leavers. Thanks for the help. I guess im trying to turn a road bike into a hybrid bike I think
I'm sure it's possible. I don't think you're turning a road bike into a hybrid; you simply prefer a "flat-bar" road bike. I don't know what bike you have, but a drop bar is usually just one component of what makes up a road bike. Other things such as the frame itself, crank, cassette, etc. all matter.

I'd talk to the LBS for suggestions. Since your bike is fairly new, they may be able to take in the original parts (the drop handlebar, shifters, etc) rather than have you pay the full prices for the new parts.
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Old 10-09-13, 08:04 PM
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Yes people do this all of the time:
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Old 10-09-13, 08:07 PM
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If SRAM drive train, you will need double tap flatbar shifters and brake levers set for short pull. Tektro has models with both short and long throw. You could use a 10 SPD MTB RD, but not FD (cable pull is wrong). If you want to use a SRAM MTB front shifter, buy a shimano r-440 FD.

If current drive train is Shimano, you will need the flat bar road shifters (440, 550, 770), and you will still need the FD-440 or FD-770 to get road crank curvature and MTB cable pull. Same brake levers as above.

Buy a longer stem, as your hands will be too close in with the original stem. Pay attention to flatbar shape when you buy. I get flat bars with an angle in only one plane, where some like risers and sweptback. Remember you can cut down bar length to whatever you want.
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Old 10-09-13, 08:57 PM
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Sell the road bike, buy a hybrid.

Given the number of new components you'll need and the price of carbon road bikes vs hybrids, its the easiest way if you come out ahead. If you can exchange the road bike for a hybrid, that would be ideal.
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Old 10-09-13, 09:03 PM
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Originally Posted by bbbean
Why did you buy a bike you don't like?
^This^ Hard to believe that the OP could look at, test ride, talk about, and then end up buying a bike that he immediately wants to sell.
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Old 10-09-13, 11:01 PM
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Sounds like you should have bought a Trek FX
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Old 10-10-13, 06:33 AM
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Originally Posted by skidmark72
I hate the way it feels. Being all hunkered over.
You don't have to be "hunkered over" It's possible to set the bike up less aggressively, i.e. more upright, and still retain the advantage of having drop bars.

I'd go back to the shop where you bought it, and ask them to work with you on your fit, and tell them you want a more upright position.

Also if you want to ride on the flat section of the bars, you can add brake levers that allow you to brake while riding on the flat section of the bars for $30 or so.

https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/brake-levers-drop.html

These two modifications will give you what you're looking for, will retain the advantages of drop bars, and will cost a lot less than a flat bar conversion.
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Old 10-10-13, 06:41 AM
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Originally Posted by gsa103
Sell the road bike, buy a hybrid.

Given the number of new components you'll need and the price of carbon road bikes vs hybrids, its the easiest way if you come out ahead. If you can exchange the road bike for a hybrid, that would be ideal.
This was going to be my suggestion as well.

My guess is you have an expensive road bike if it is carbon frame. I would sell it and get a hybrid that you are comfortable with.

You will take a small hit on the bike but you will still be able to get a nice hybrid bike.

Manny
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Old 10-10-13, 06:59 AM
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Originally Posted by Elvo
Yes people do this all of the time:
OMG epic fail if I've ever seen one!!!
Platforms, pad lock,& fixed/SS.
Wow never thought I see a hipster take it so far!!!

Last edited by Ghost Ryder; 10-10-13 at 07:06 AM.
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Old 10-10-13, 07:06 AM
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^ Could be worse.

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Old 10-10-13, 07:40 AM
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Originally Posted by skidmark72
Just bought a new carbon fiber road bike and I hate the way it feels. Being all hunkered over. Im use to mtn bikes with straight handle bars. Can I put straight handle bars on a road bike and change the shifter and brake leavers. Thanks for the help. I guess im trying to turn a road bike into a hybrid bike I think
Well, you could go with a mustache bar, that way you can continue to use your current shifters and only have to buy the bar.

https://www.rivbike.com/product-p/hb3a.htm
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Old 10-10-13, 08:17 AM
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Stop feeding the troll.
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Old 10-10-13, 08:21 AM
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Originally Posted by RJM
Well, you could go with a mustache bar, that way you can continue to use your current shifters and only have to buy the bar.

https://www.rivbike.com/product-p/hb3a.htm
Shifting would be incredibly awkward, wouldn't it?
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Old 10-10-13, 08:44 AM
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Originally Posted by Ghost Ryder
Shifting would be incredibly awkward, wouldn't it?
Not with Di2, but maybe with regular it would.

Certainly it would be weird with sora or campy.
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Old 10-10-13, 08:51 AM
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Originally Posted by RJM
Not with Di2, but maybe with regular it would.

Certainly it would be weird with sora or campy.
I have no experience with electronic shifting, is it like driving an automatic car vs standard?
No tapping needed to change gears?
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Old 10-10-13, 09:05 AM
  #19  
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Originally Posted by Ghost Ryder
I have no experience with electronic shifting, is it like driving an automatic car vs standard?
No tapping needed to change gears?
Buttons instead of levers to shift. It would work quite well with a mustache bar I would think.

The Op could also change his shifting from brifters to bar ends if he went the mustache bar route.

If he wants to stick with a straight bar he could do that but would need to change his brake levers and shifters. He could totally fred it up and use friction thumb shifters.....
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Old 10-10-13, 10:36 AM
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You could easily keep the bike but swap the road bar for a flat bar and thumb shifters and the brake levers. Probably would need to experiment with the stem too. Where you ride and needs is all about you and not others.

This Giant Rapid 1 has road bike geometry and mostly road components - Shimano 105. Came with a flat bar and thumbies, but I cut 3/4" off each end and added drop bar ends. This bike is an all around sub 19 lb. machine. The drops come off in a few seconds, can swap for ATB bar ends, sometimes it sports a rack and fenders, AND runs road 23C width to 34C knobbies. Comfy fun from gravel grinding, off-road single track to riding century's. I love this bike and plan to do a similar set-up on an older steel road bike.

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Old 10-11-13, 02:25 AM
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Back up bars

/thread
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Old 10-11-13, 02:38 AM
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Just get a CXer with interrupters on the tops.
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Old 10-11-13, 03:03 AM
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Originally Posted by merlinextraligh
You don't have to be "hunkered over" It's possible to set the bike up less aggressively, i.e. more upright, and still retain the advantage of having drop bars.

I'd go back to the shop where you bought it, and ask them to work with you on your fit, and tell them you want a more upright position.

Also if you want to ride on the flat section of the bars, you can add brake levers that allow you to brake while riding on the flat section of the bars for $30 or so.

https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/brake-levers-drop.html

These two modifications will give you what you're looking for, will retain the advantages of drop bars, and will cost a lot less than a flat bar conversion.
50/50 it wasn't bought at a LBS. OP had a thread seeking valuation help on a 2013 Madone 3.1- https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...=#post16141305. Then again, OP may have picked up something else entirely...
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