Count Me As One of the Converted...
09-22-19, 08:09 PM
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Count Me As One of the Converted...
I converted my 1997 Nishiki Blazer 3x7 straight-bar MTB commuter to drop-bars today.
In my mid 40's I began developing "crampy hands". Back then this was my only bike and I added inboard bar ends and then aero bars to give me multiple hand positions. Ten years ago I acquired a 1984 Nishiki International 12-speed with drop bars and they were much better on my hands. Four years ago I bought a new Charge Plug 2x8 drop-bar road bike to be my new main commuter. With foam pipe insulation for padding I found I could ride both those drop bar bikes for hours and hours with no hand issues.
Because the Blazer is old, not worth much, and functions as my studded-tire snow and ice bike in the winter, I wanted to spend as little money as possible. There is a now a bike co-op in Colorado Springs and I found a compatible stem and drop bars for $15. I had my LBS add V-brakes a few years ago and I really like them. Ideally I would have used V-brake compatible brifters, but new, those would be worth more than the bike, and used...well, I couldn;t find 'em locally. So I bought new Tektro V-Brake drop-bar brake levers for $29.95. A dive into the parts bin at the co-op netted me a pair of thumb shifters for $3 each, including a Shimano 7-speed indexed thumbie. New cables and and least a short length of shifter and brake cable guides were necessary. (The Blazer had a three-speed indexed rapid/crossfire front shifter that never worked right, so I just used a simple friction shifter for the front.)
The downtube on the Blazer is too fat for downtube shifters, I had bar-stem shifters in high-school and college and didn;tlike them, so decided I wanted bar-end shifters; but even used, they were too expensive for my build, so I mounted the thumb shifters at the bar-ends and they function like out-board bar-end shifters; although they can catch a finger between the bar and shifter if not careful.
I haven't done any mechanical project this ambitious on a bike in 25-years and it took me 6 hours from when I startrd to remove the old handle bars to putting the bell and horn on the new bars.
To my utter surprise the 7-speed indexed shifter worked on the first try! The friction up front shifter seems to have been a good idea as is is less troublesome fthan the indexed one it replaced.
The brakes feel just as slack-free and powerful as with the original levers.
I am thrilled with how this turned out, especially given my fairly basic mechanical skills.
Before:
After:
I cannot wait to ride to work Tuesday, and I especially can't wait for snow and ice!
In my mid 40's I began developing "crampy hands". Back then this was my only bike and I added inboard bar ends and then aero bars to give me multiple hand positions. Ten years ago I acquired a 1984 Nishiki International 12-speed with drop bars and they were much better on my hands. Four years ago I bought a new Charge Plug 2x8 drop-bar road bike to be my new main commuter. With foam pipe insulation for padding I found I could ride both those drop bar bikes for hours and hours with no hand issues.
Because the Blazer is old, not worth much, and functions as my studded-tire snow and ice bike in the winter, I wanted to spend as little money as possible. There is a now a bike co-op in Colorado Springs and I found a compatible stem and drop bars for $15. I had my LBS add V-brakes a few years ago and I really like them. Ideally I would have used V-brake compatible brifters, but new, those would be worth more than the bike, and used...well, I couldn;t find 'em locally. So I bought new Tektro V-Brake drop-bar brake levers for $29.95. A dive into the parts bin at the co-op netted me a pair of thumb shifters for $3 each, including a Shimano 7-speed indexed thumbie. New cables and and least a short length of shifter and brake cable guides were necessary. (The Blazer had a three-speed indexed rapid/crossfire front shifter that never worked right, so I just used a simple friction shifter for the front.)
The downtube on the Blazer is too fat for downtube shifters, I had bar-stem shifters in high-school and college and didn;tlike them, so decided I wanted bar-end shifters; but even used, they were too expensive for my build, so I mounted the thumb shifters at the bar-ends and they function like out-board bar-end shifters; although they can catch a finger between the bar and shifter if not careful.
I haven't done any mechanical project this ambitious on a bike in 25-years and it took me 6 hours from when I startrd to remove the old handle bars to putting the bell and horn on the new bars.
To my utter surprise the 7-speed indexed shifter worked on the first try! The friction up front shifter seems to have been a good idea as is is less troublesome fthan the indexed one it replaced.
The brakes feel just as slack-free and powerful as with the original levers.
I am thrilled with how this turned out, especially given my fairly basic mechanical skills.
Before:
After:
I cannot wait to ride to work Tuesday, and I especially can't wait for snow and ice!
Last edited by BobbyG; 09-23-19 at 07:13 AM.
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09-22-19, 08:17 PM
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I have a 90 Trek 850 taking up space that I've been threatening to do the same thing to.
09-22-19, 09:39 PM
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Man I love the look of a capable geared-up bike. Go any place, do any thing. Nicely done.
Last edited by rseeker; 09-22-19 at 10:12 PM.
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09-23-19, 04:57 AM
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I converted my 1997 Nishiki Blazer 3x7 straight-bar MTB commuter to drop-bars today…
I haven't done any mechanical project this ambitious on a bike in 25-years and it took me 6 hours from when I startrd to remove the old handle bars to putting the bell and horn on the new bars.
I am thrilled with how this turned out, especially given my fairly basic mechanical skills.
I cannot wait to ride to work Tuesday, and I especially can't wait for snow and ice!
I haven't done any mechanical project this ambitious on a bike in 25-years and it took me 6 hours from when I startrd to remove the old handle bars to putting the bell and horn on the new bars.
I am thrilled with how this turned out, especially given my fairly basic mechanical skills.
I cannot wait to ride to work Tuesday, and I especially can't wait for snow and ice!
In general all my bike purchases are more serendipitous than researched. My only (minor) mistakes were:Briefly,
- Childhood:…
- Early adolescence:…
- College:-circa 1970: Five-speed Schwinn Suburban with upright handlebars, converted to drops, by me. I did more maintainance by myself on that bike than any other. Buying the Schwinn Suburban as a starter bike [was a mistake] because it soon became apparent I wanted a road bike; it was a borrowed Schwinn Varsity that sparked my interest
”Do You Work / Maintain Your Own Bikes?”…
Besides time, I have never had good facilities to work easily. Even now we live in a relatively small, but elegant condo, and my wife would frown on a room with a bike stand. Having the LBS do it all, in my case is a really good deal.
The shop is one block away, and they will fix many things at a convenient time for me. They are so expert that they can do these things quickly, better than me, and often spot problems that I did not see. Whenever I leave the shop, the bikes ride as if new again.
I tip well, not, “To Insure Prompt Service,” but because I am so appreciative of their work. Hats off to Back Bay Bikes.
Besides time, I have never had good facilities to work easily. Even now we live in a relatively small, but elegant condo, and my wife would frown on a room with a bike stand. Having the LBS do it all, in my case is a really good deal.
The shop is one block away, and they will fix many things at a convenient time for me. They are so expert that they can do these things quickly, better than me, and often spot problems that I did not see. Whenever I leave the shop, the bikes ride as if new again.
I tip well, not, “To Insure Prompt Service,” but because I am so appreciative of their work. Hats off to Back Bay Bikes.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 09-25-19 at 03:34 AM.
09-24-19, 09:04 AM
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nice bar tape! 
09-24-19, 09:38 AM
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Oh man but those folding wire baskets are fantastic and really handy at times. I remember getting a pair of them back in t he early 1980s and the instructions said they were designed to hold two paper grocery bags. Here in Ontario Canada where I am they're talking about banning plastic shopping bags and going back to paper bags. If they do that those folding wire baskets will be perfect for grocery shopping.
Cheers
Cheers
09-24-19, 03:38 PM
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Oh man but those folding wire baskets are fantastic and really handy at times. I remember getting a pair of them back in t he early 1980s and the instructions said they were designed to hold two paper grocery bags. Here in Ontario Canada where I am they're talking about banning plastic shopping bags and going back to paper bags. If they do that those folding wire baskets will be perfect for grocery shopping.
Cheers
Cheers
BTW I rode it to work this morning and it was gloriously comfortable.
09-24-19, 03:50 PM
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Behind the rack above the rear fender there is a small black pouch with a velcro tab. In it are two black re-usable grocery bags that fit the baskets so I can carry any kind of bag or loose item that fits.
BTW I rode it to work this morning and it was gloriously comfortable.
BTW I rode it to work this morning and it was gloriously comfortable.
Cheers
* Hayley Mills in THE TROUBLE WITH ANGELS
09-24-19, 04:33 PM
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Here's the first ride in to work with the new drop bars:
C'mon snow!
C'mon snow!
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05-16-20, 08:56 AM
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does that saddle still feel comfortable w the drop bars? when I changed my hybrid many years ago my saddle started rubbing / chaffing me, so I switched to a narrower road saddle
05-16-20, 11:13 AM
#11
WALSTIB
Interesting way to mount the shifters. Enjoy your commute. But I'll pass on snow and ice.
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06-13-21, 09:35 AM
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I would probably do better with a narrower saddle but this one is not causing any issues so I'll stick with it until it does. The nose is long enough.
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06-14-21, 07:54 AM
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