Michael Novo

I enjoy riding the bike a lot. Every other day I put on 20-25 miles and average between 15-16mph (I do understand it's not about the speed).

As I become more fit and comfortable on the bike I find myself using the bar ends more and leaning down. I'm thinking about converting the bike to drop bars and was wondering if that's a practical or realistic thought on this model / frame.

It's a nice bike, I ride mostly flats or mild rolling hills in Illinois. If this is doable, before I head to LBS I wanted to educate myself a bit more. Has anyone done this on this bike or the 9R frame? I presume I'll need the bars, shifters and levers. Suggestions what to look at?

NormanF

The main problem is drop bars rarely work well on flat bar bikes.

If you have the itch to ride a drop bar bike, it might be better to buy one that suits your riding abilities.

Michael Novo

Why don't they work well? I assume it's the frame that's not ideal? When I got this bike I think I recalled the LBS saying that it's the same frame as one of their road bike lines. It also came with some adapter if I was to change the bars I believe.

NormanF

A flat bar bike generally has a longer top tube relative to the head tube than a road bike. And a conversion can be expensive because you need to buy bars and brifters and there are the installation costs. Sure you could convert it but before you go ahead, try out a drop bar bike at your LBS and see how it feels. If you still want to go ahead, see if it works for you on your Sirrus Carbon Comp. But test out an equivalent drop bar Specialized Roubaix to see if its worth it.

Lt Stonez

If you have the sirrus comp carbon 13-14 models then its all ok. Those year Specialized used the Roubaix frame on the sirrus carbon bikes. If your lucky like me an have the 14 mod you also get Roubaix frame with disc breakes.
I was at my lbs and asked the price for putting drops on it and the cost with parts and work was close too 850-950$
to much for me, and still like it a lot as it is

giantcfr1

Do it!!!! I love seeing people spend money. Make sure you post it once you've finished.

MRT2

It can be done, but it mostly comes down to the cost of replacing the stem, bars, bar tape, brake levers and shifters, at bike shop rather than internet prices. At full retail from the bike shop plus labor and you are looking at maybe $500 plus. Unless you are sufficiently confident in your mechanic skills to do the work yourself, in which case maybe it can be done for the cost of these items, which will come to, maybe $300 or $350 for the parts at internet prices. (the brifters make up the majority of the expense)

Just curious. Why didn't you go with a drop bar road bike to start with, if that is what you thought you wanted? Did someone at the bike shop make some representation that a conversion to drop bars would be easy or cheap?

Michael Novo

Well it's much cheaper than selling the current bike at a loss and purchasing a new bike for more money

ColonelSanders

You could try something like a Soma Oxford handlebar and invert it so that the bars drop 52mm and you would then be able to use your existing gear and brake levers.

If you find this isn't close enough to what you want, then you could go the full hog and get a dropbar, brifters etc.

Soma Oxford Handlebar

MRT2

Maybe not.

badger1

Agree.

OP, you mention "9r frame", so I'm assuming you have a '15 or '16 model? If so, the cost of the conversion would be silly and the geometry wrong. You would need bars, brifters, and brakes. If you wait, you'd be able to sub in the new Tiagra 10 speed hydraulic brifters/brakes, but even that won't be inexpensive. If you don't want to wait, you'd have to convert everything to 11 speed (105 or Ultegra level).

So it's physically possible, but why bother? If your Sirrus fits you correctly now, it will -- even with a silly-short stem -- not fit you properly with drop bars. If you want drop bars, buy a bike designed for them.

NormanF

Could be set up like a moustache bar and it isn't too expensive since you only need to swap bars and not buy brifters, etc. And that is generally cheap to do.

NormanF

Agreed. A conversion is more trouble than its worth. You can't fix the geometry with stem and a drop bar change so as I advised OP, if he wants a drop bar bike, then he should buy a drop bar bike. Few hassles to get the bike he wants.

Jimbo47

This is a good example of why you should try out several bikes before you buy. It goes a long way in preventing buyers remorse.

slowpacer

This setup has the advantage of going back to flat bar easily anytime. I used a FSA Metropolis bar for a couple of years but decided to go back to flat bar recently and the switch was very easy. One thing to note is that switching to this type of bar from flat bar may require longer cables and cable adjustment.

DorkDisk

Aside from the technical aspect of a drop conversion, I'd say you may just work on your postion and core muscles. Flat back is a valid position for flats, and not exclusive to drop bars.

Your elbows should be bent at all times yet with very little weight on the bars, this requires fairly strong core muscles. Try keeping your forearms parallel to the ground when climbing

You are getting used to the proper position for a bicycle (flat back,) regardless of bar shape. I don't see an urgent need for a drop conversion

Michael Novo

I did actually try many bikes out and do not have buyers remorse. But I have put about 1000-1200 miles on the bike since I got it towards the end of last riding season. I tried road bikes and just didn't like them then but I think it was something to grow into. For me it was just a matter of getting into it over time and figuring out what I like.

corrado33

There are more problems with simply putting different bars on a bike.

First is that I think you have hydraulic brakes. So brake levers for the drop bar will be expensive. Flat bar levers are not compatible with drop bars due to a different width, among other things. You'd also need different shifters, and you will probably run into compatibility issues. You'd also need a different stem.

Michael Novo

I think after reading the responses it seems like it's best to ride the bike a bit more, get more comfy and then just upgrade to a proper road bike. Appreciate everyone for the responses!

RockiesDad

If you hang out long enough in this forum, there is this thing called "N+1". It seems that symptoms of this are showing up here...

Michael Novo

I do N+1-1 I just keep one old mountain bike for the street to ride around on and then sell the old ones as the new ones come in