Giant FCR3500 Hybrid to Gravel-ish Drop Bar Coversion
 

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...b977c1e707.jpgOwned this Giant FCR3500 since it was brand new, 11 years and 25000+km ago. Just did a major rebuild of it this past weekend, including:

• Tires (Schwalbe Marathon 700x35)
  
• Wheels (custom hand built from a seller on Taobao, the Chinese domestic version of AliExpress)
  
• Fork - aluminum alloy, changed because I needed a disc brake mount on the front
  
• Brakes and discs - cable actuated hydraulics with 160mm rotors.
  
• Drivetrain - Sensah SRX Pro 11 speed with 11-36 cassette
  
• New bar tape
  
• New headset bearings
  

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...61f64b3a98.jpg
Did all the work by myself. Took a lot longer than I had expected, but it turned out better than I expected. Rode it for 100km yesterday after completing the work and I am very happy with it. Calling it my Bike of Theseus because at this point the only original parts on this bike are the frame, seat tube, and stem - everything else has been replaced at least once over the life of the bike.

Since this bike was originally a road-oriented hybrid, the geometry actually feels pretty good as a drop bar, and it's quite a bit quicker with the drops than it was with a flat bar (not to mention more comfortable). I've gone with a more road oriented gear range (46t chainring, 11-36 cassette) because the terrain here in Shanghai is very flat and I just don't need a lot of climbing range.

Nice looking ride! Looks like a great all-purpose touring and road pounding rig.

On my hybrid to gravel converts I've ended up with shorter/higher stems that allow me to ride in the drops on descents comfortably. I put those bikes on singletrack/etc. where I have to both be on the brakes and have my weight back. It may not be the best setup for a road oriented bike but if you end up feeling squirrelly on technical descents you could easily make the change.

Head Shock on a Giant?

Not Leaning and reaching as much has to be more comfortable.