bikelovers

Hello,
I am thinking of convert my Salsa Vaya from drop bar to flat bar or Mustache bar . The problem is I want to keep my brake level and bar end shifters. I open for any other suggestions as well. My gear is 3x9. and stem is 100mm 31.8.

Thank you.

fietsbob

then, of the 2 , the Mustache bar is the only way to go ..
Flat bar you would keep the road brake levers in a box, & buy new levers,
and buy something like paul's thumbies to convert the bar end shifters to thumb shifters.

Straight bars the off center clamp tube is smaller

than road diameter Nitto Mustache bars
7/8 vs 15/16 .. or metric equivalents of those ..

hueyhoolihan

whatever handlebar you use will have to have mounting points that are compatible with the clamping diameter's of the brake levers and bar-end shifters. there are many different OD's and ID's involved with various handlebars. a good search on Wikipedia or Sheldon Brown's website would be your best source. there are just too many if, ands, and buts, to provide good advice in a post, even a long one.

i suspect you many not be able to use both the bar-end shifters and the brake levers you have, unless you are comfortable with some sort of DIY kludged, shimed, jerry-rigged solution. good luck.

bikelovers

Fietsbob and hueyhoolian thanks a lot for replying.

Ok, let forget keeping my bar end shifter and brake. If I go with brand new route, what option should I go for
Flat bar + trigger shifters or butterfly bard with twist shifter ? which brand should I buy that not crazy expensive but relatively reliable?

Thank you very much.

fietsbob

I have 2 figure 8 bend Trekking bar equipped bikes , they work fine

I fit them on customers bikes the Bars that Kalloy or Similar ship from Asia
through a lot of sellers , Nashbar , etc. are about $25.

I think the LBS buys theirs thru J&B ask at Your Local.

[difference between instock and not is asking them to get stuff ..
not being mind-readers,
or perhaps having customer 2 following customer 1 who got the 1 on hand at the moment].

I like friction shifting the FD better than the way STI works.. so a thumb shifter will be fine.

the pod change will let you re use the Shimano Bar end shifters. velo orange imports from Asia,

VO Thumb Shifter Mounts - Shifters - Shifting - Components


Paul actually makes theirs in California Thumbies from Paul Component Engineering

fietsbob

BTW if you go with an IGH then The grip shifter may be fine . but the Derailleur grip shifter combo

is kept at the entry level at present.. the use of the Shimano Bar end shifters may still be the better kit,

you can go even cheaper Falcon Friction Thumb Shifters - Shifters - Shifting - Components

or mix and match a double button MTB STI on the rear , friction thumb on the front.

hueyhoolihan

first priority would be to make a decision on whether you want a mustache bar or flatbar. it will simplify many things.

bikelovers

Thank you very much, I will take a look.


Hueyhoolihan, I think I would go with the flat bar and forget the mustache bar. Thank you.

flash63

Bikelover,,I ride a Surly Ogre,,up graded several things.
Avid Speed 7 levers over the FR 5,,,also the Ergon GP5 bar ends,,they give enough
hand positions.Shifters you could always get a down tube adapter from Probem Solvers
Jensens has all 3the parts.
Once thought about the Salsa Woodchiper II bar,but realised I like my set up as is.

BigAura

I use Nitto North Road handlebars that are compatible with bar ends. You'll need a different stem or an adapter. I'm not sure what size your levers are though?

ClemY

One option is a wide drop bar like the Nitto Noodle 177 bar, then add in-line brake levers. It will allow you to use the current brake levers and barcon shifters you are currently using, but allow braking from the tops like a flat bar. I find it is a pretty good combination for me.