Changing bars and gear shifters on road bike
#1
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Changing bars and gear shifters on road bike
Hi,
I'm new to road bikes and have recently purchased a used Principia Rex, built, I believe, in around 2004. The bike has yet to be shipped to me. It comes with triathlon handlebars which I wish to remove. The gear shifters are located at the ends of the aero bars. The seller led me to believe that these can be detached from what look like pursuit bars underneath. So, a simple and cheap solution will be for me to move the shifters to the ends of the pursuit bars, if that's possible.
I'm not sure though that pursuit bars will suit me and I think that drop bars or compact drop bars might be better (I'm riding mainly for leisure and exercise but perhaps later to commute to work). If I change to drop bars, from what I've seen, I should change the break handles to a type with integrated gear shifters. My question is, what types break handles/shifters will suit the gears? The gears are Shimano Ultegra. Ideally I'd like to purchase everything second-hand because prices here in Brazil are very very high.
If you have any advice, please let me know!
Unfortunately, I'm unable to post photos of the bike until have have made 10 posts here.
Cheers
I'm new to road bikes and have recently purchased a used Principia Rex, built, I believe, in around 2004. The bike has yet to be shipped to me. It comes with triathlon handlebars which I wish to remove. The gear shifters are located at the ends of the aero bars. The seller led me to believe that these can be detached from what look like pursuit bars underneath. So, a simple and cheap solution will be for me to move the shifters to the ends of the pursuit bars, if that's possible.
I'm not sure though that pursuit bars will suit me and I think that drop bars or compact drop bars might be better (I'm riding mainly for leisure and exercise but perhaps later to commute to work). If I change to drop bars, from what I've seen, I should change the break handles to a type with integrated gear shifters. My question is, what types break handles/shifters will suit the gears? The gears are Shimano Ultegra. Ideally I'd like to purchase everything second-hand because prices here in Brazil are very very high.
If you have any advice, please let me know!
Unfortunately, I'm unable to post photos of the bike until have have made 10 posts here.
Cheers
#2
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Keep posting while you are waiting for the bike. When you get it, post pics and save lots of guessing.
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It could be done but may cost more than the bike unless you have all the parts needed and the skills you need to do it. Keep looking for a bike than meets you wants and needs. Roger
#4
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#5
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Too late, I'm afraid. :-) It was a good deal and hard to pass up and large frames are hard to come by here on the used market. Yes, I've seen some break handles that were indeed more expensive. But perhaps the idea of shifting the leavers to the ends of the pursuit bars will work. From the photos I have, it looks like it will. Also, bullhorn bars might be a compromise, they have less of a drop.
Last edited by escuta; 07-29-21 at 08:01 AM.
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I'm new to road bikes and have recently purchased a used Principia Rex, built, I believe, in around 2004.
I think that drop bars or compact drop bars might be better (I'm riding mainly for leisure and exercise but perhaps later to commute to work). If I change to drop bars, from what I've seen, I should change the break handles to a type with integrated gear shifters. My question is, what types break handles/shifters will suit the gears?
I think that drop bars or compact drop bars might be better (I'm riding mainly for leisure and exercise but perhaps later to commute to work). If I change to drop bars, from what I've seen, I should change the break handles to a type with integrated gear shifters. My question is, what types break handles/shifters will suit the gears?
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#7
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#8
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In terms of breaks handle/shifters, would any Shimano road bike device be compatible, assuming it suits dual chain-wheels?
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No. You have to have the proper shifters to work with compatible derailleurs and number of cassette speeds/cogs and brakes in some cases. Many are interchangeable but we need to know what your bike's setup is first. Wait for the bike to arrive before buying anything.
Last edited by Crankycrank; 07-29-21 at 05:14 PM.
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Unless the aero bars on the bike use weirdo brake levers, everything should transfer right over to any drop bar. If not, you'll need a new set of brake levers. I'm not aware of any drop bar that won't take a bar-end shifter, but there might be some ultra-light carbon bars that can't take the pressure of the expander plug that holds the shifter mounts inside the ends of the bar. (If there are such bars, and you're looking at a pair of them, you'll likely know right away... like big, bold, red text that says "DO NOT USE WITH BAR-END SHIFTERS!!!")
Bar-end shifters are Good Things. Simple, light, intuitive (built-in gear indicators!), about as reliable as a shovel, and with a friction mode that might only matter once in the whole time you own the bike but will really, really matter on that day. They are less convenient than integrated levers, true, but not by much. I'd certainly consider trying them out. You very well may like them,. many people do. If not, quality bar-end shifters in good shape are easy to sell.
If you go that route, and if the aero bars do have weird levers, brake-only levers are easily available and not expensive. Most current production ones are in the $40-60 range. My favorite is the TRP RRL SR, but they're pretty spendy, 80-100 bucks. Worth it to me... they're the best-feeling brake lever I've ever wrapped a hand around. Used, any Shimano SLR lever from the late 80s onward would be a great choice. I've never heard of anyone who didn't like them, and they made them for decades, so they're everywhere.
Used integrated levers can be a bit of a crapshoot, as they're not rebuildable and internal parts do not exist. The most-common failure mode is an easy fix: the grease gets gummy and they don't shift right, spray lube into the guts and shift back and forth until everything frees up. If that doesn't work, you're usually hosed.
There's a few places where compatibility gets weird, so you'd need to post the specifics of what's on the bike now before anyone can give you a recommendation for integrated levers that will work.
Hope that's helpful,
--Shannon
Bar-end shifters are Good Things. Simple, light, intuitive (built-in gear indicators!), about as reliable as a shovel, and with a friction mode that might only matter once in the whole time you own the bike but will really, really matter on that day. They are less convenient than integrated levers, true, but not by much. I'd certainly consider trying them out. You very well may like them,. many people do. If not, quality bar-end shifters in good shape are easy to sell.
If you go that route, and if the aero bars do have weird levers, brake-only levers are easily available and not expensive. Most current production ones are in the $40-60 range. My favorite is the TRP RRL SR, but they're pretty spendy, 80-100 bucks. Worth it to me... they're the best-feeling brake lever I've ever wrapped a hand around. Used, any Shimano SLR lever from the late 80s onward would be a great choice. I've never heard of anyone who didn't like them, and they made them for decades, so they're everywhere.
Used integrated levers can be a bit of a crapshoot, as they're not rebuildable and internal parts do not exist. The most-common failure mode is an easy fix: the grease gets gummy and they don't shift right, spray lube into the guts and shift back and forth until everything frees up. If that doesn't work, you're usually hosed.
There's a few places where compatibility gets weird, so you'd need to post the specifics of what's on the bike now before anyone can give you a recommendation for integrated levers that will work.
Hope that's helpful,
--Shannon
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If it is a 2004 with Ultegra, you’ll 9 speed shifters.
The most cost effective are Microshift R9. It is compatible with Shimano. I imagine it is a double crank.
So you basically need the bars, maybe a stem, Microshift shifters, a Jagwire cable kit, and handlebar tape… plus whatever unrelated parts you need to replace on the bike.
John
The most cost effective are Microshift R9. It is compatible with Shimano. I imagine it is a double crank.
So you basically need the bars, maybe a stem, Microshift shifters, a Jagwire cable kit, and handlebar tape… plus whatever unrelated parts you need to replace on the bike.
John
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#13
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Bar-end shifters are Good Things. Simple, light, intuitive (built-in gear indicators!), about as reliable as a shovel, and with a friction mode that might only matter once in the whole time you own the bike but will really, really matter on that day. They are less convenient than integrated levers, true, but not by much. I'd certainly consider trying them out. You very well may like them,. many people do. If not, quality bar-end shifters in good shape are easy to sell.
If you go that route, and if the aero bars do have weird levers, brake-only levers are easily available and not expensive. Most current production ones are in the $40-60 range. My favorite is the TRP RRL SR, but they're pretty spendy, 80-100 bucks. Worth it to me... they're the best-feeling brake lever I've ever wrapped a hand around. Used, any Shimano SLR lever from the late 80s onward would be a great choice. I've never heard of anyone who didn't like them, and they made them for decades, so they're everywhere.
Used integrated levers can be a bit of a crapshoot, as they're not rebuildable and internal parts do not exist. The most-common failure mode is an easy fix: the grease gets gummy and they don't shift right, spray lube into the guts and shift back and forth until everything frees up. If that doesn't work, you're usually hosed.
....
Hope that's helpful,
All the best
#14
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Thread Starter
If it is a 2004 with Ultegra, you’ll 9 speed shifters.
The most cost effective are Microshift R9. It is compatible with Shimano. I imagine it is a double crank.
So you basically need the bars, maybe a stem, Microshift shifters, a Jagwire cable kit, and handlebar tape… plus whatever unrelated parts you need to replace on the bike.
John
The most cost effective are Microshift R9. It is compatible with Shimano. I imagine it is a double crank.
So you basically need the bars, maybe a stem, Microshift shifters, a Jagwire cable kit, and handlebar tape… plus whatever unrelated parts you need to replace on the bike.
John
#15
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No. You have to have the proper shifters to work with compatible derailleurs and number of cassette speeds/cogs and brakes in some cases. Many are interchangeable but we need to know what your bike's setup is first. Wait for the bike to arrive before buying anything.
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Honestly, I wouldn't buy it unless its a dirt-cheap-deal. As mentioned before, the cost of swapping out components can make your checking account cry for mercy. If you are also bereft of bike mechanical skills, it can be a daunting task, and then you'll need to rely on someone else to do it for you. My advice is to simply get a bike that you can ride off immediately, new or used.
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Hi,
I'm new to road bikes and have recently purchased a used Principia Rex, built, I believe, in around 2004. The bike has yet to be shipped to me. It comes with triathlon handlebars which I wish to remove. The gear shifters are located at the ends of the aero bars. The seller led me to believe that these can be detached from what look like pursuit bars underneath. So, a simple and cheap solution will be for me to move the shifters to the ends of the pursuit bars, if that's possible.
I'm not sure though that pursuit bars will suit me and I think that drop bars or compact drop bars might be better (I'm riding mainly for leisure and exercise but perhaps later to commute to work). If I change to drop bars, from what I've seen, I should change the break handles to a type with integrated gear shifters. My question is, what types break handles/shifters will suit the gears? The gears are Shimano Ultegra. Ideally I'd like to purchase everything second-hand because prices here in Brazil are very very high.
If you have any advice, please let me know!
Unfortunately, I'm unable to post photos of the bike until have have made 10 posts here.
Cheers
I'm new to road bikes and have recently purchased a used Principia Rex, built, I believe, in around 2004. The bike has yet to be shipped to me. It comes with triathlon handlebars which I wish to remove. The gear shifters are located at the ends of the aero bars. The seller led me to believe that these can be detached from what look like pursuit bars underneath. So, a simple and cheap solution will be for me to move the shifters to the ends of the pursuit bars, if that's possible.
I'm not sure though that pursuit bars will suit me and I think that drop bars or compact drop bars might be better (I'm riding mainly for leisure and exercise but perhaps later to commute to work). If I change to drop bars, from what I've seen, I should change the break handles to a type with integrated gear shifters. My question is, what types break handles/shifters will suit the gears? The gears are Shimano Ultegra. Ideally I'd like to purchase everything second-hand because prices here in Brazil are very very high.
If you have any advice, please let me know!
Unfortunately, I'm unable to post photos of the bike until have have made 10 posts here.
Cheers
If you use an alloy dropbar then you should be able to use the shifters that come with the bike perhaps without even needing new shifter cables and housings depending on how long they are. If the bike has brake levers that are compatible with a dropbar you might not need new brake levers either.
Cheers
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Yes, very helpful, thanks. For some reason it hadn't occurred to me to put them on the end of drop bars. They look like normal brake levers, yes. They're Syntace triathlon bars. I think now I'll try your suggestion first. The bars I select would need to be perfectly cylindrical to fit the leavers, would they not?
All the best
All the best
--Shannon
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#21
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Thanks. I put the same album twice I think. See Gallery->Recent. It's the Principia bike. If someone could please post the 6 photos in the gallery here, that would be great.
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Image assist for Escuta.
Well, you are a fortunate fellow! You CAN use those brake levers and those bar-end shifters on a dropbar without any problem at all. You might even be able to use the existing cables as they appear to be long enough.
Good luck and cheers.
Well, you are a fortunate fellow! You CAN use those brake levers and those bar-end shifters on a dropbar without any problem at all. You might even be able to use the existing cables as they appear to be long enough.
Good luck and cheers.
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#24
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Thanks a lot!
That will be excellent if the cables reach too.
Luck seems to be with me, I sold my current bike yesterday for a decent price so if there's any small profit made on the bars, my credit card will be very grateful. :-)
Thanks everyone for your help. If all goes well I'll post a photo here when the change is done.
All the best,
Thanks everyone for your help. If all goes well I'll post a photo here when the change is done.
All the best,
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Thanks a lot!
That will be excellent if the cables reach too.
Luck seems to be with me, I sold my current bike yesterday for a decent price so if there's any small profit made on the bars, my credit card will be very grateful. :-)
Thanks everyone for your help. If all goes well I'll post a photo here when the change is done.
All the best,
That will be excellent if the cables reach too.
Luck seems to be with me, I sold my current bike yesterday for a decent price so if there's any small profit made on the bars, my credit card will be very grateful. :-)
Thanks everyone for your help. If all goes well I'll post a photo here when the change is done.
All the best,
Good luck and cheers
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