Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

Drop to straight/lever and shifter questions

Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

Drop to straight/lever and shifter questions

Old 01-14-23, 01:56 PM
  #1  
louky
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2022
Posts: 170
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 106 Post(s)
Liked 26 Times in 22 Posts
Drop to straight/lever and shifter questions

I have been repairing bikes and donating them to a homeless organization. Recently a person donated 2 matching bikes to me to refurbish and re-donate. Both bikes are Schwinn World Sport 10 speeds. I have also received a donation from a bike shop of 2 straight handlebars. I think these bikes would be more functional for the folks who receive them without the drop bars. I have included a picture for my questions. Can I get away with leaving these friction shifters in place? After I change the bars, can I just use some regular inexpensive brake levers like would be on a MB? Since these bikes are 2 x 5's is there an option for using those combination brake and shifter sets? TIA!
louky is offline  
Old 01-14-23, 02:22 PM
  #2  
Kontact
Senior Member
 
Kontact's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,825
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4260 Post(s)
Liked 1,457 Times in 950 Posts
It is not worth the hassle. And the "safety levers" on the brakes allow the top of the bar to be used like a straight bar.
Kontact is offline  
Old 01-14-23, 02:31 PM
  #3  
HillRider
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 33,656

Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!

Mentioned: 39 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2026 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1,095 Times in 741 Posts
Originally Posted by Kontact
And the "safety levers" on the brakes allow the top of the bar to be used like a straight bar.
Yes, they do......if you don't put any priority on being able to stop. I'd either adapt the straight bars with suitable brake levers or toss the "safety levers" and use the drop bars without them.
HillRider is offline  
Likes For HillRider:
Old 01-14-23, 02:44 PM
  #4  
Jeff Neese
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 1,486
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1080 Post(s)
Liked 681 Times in 438 Posts
Originally Posted by louky
Can I get away with leaving these friction shifters in place?
Sure.

Originally Posted by louky
After I change the bars, can I just use some regular inexpensive brake levers like would be on a MB?
Yep. You need short-pull levers, which all of them from this era will be. You probably have a set or two laying around.

Originally Posted by louky
Since these bikes are 2 x 5's is there an option for using those combination brake and shifter sets? TIA!
Not really. I'm not aware of any indexed shifting options for 2x5 that will fit on flat bars, and almost certainly nothing stem-mounted. For what you're trying to do, keeping those existing friction shifters are the best bet.
Jeff Neese is offline  
Old 01-14-23, 02:44 PM
  #5  
Kontact
Senior Member
 
Kontact's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 6,825
Mentioned: 41 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4260 Post(s)
Liked 1,457 Times in 950 Posts
Originally Posted by HillRider
Yes, they do......if you don't put any priority on being able to stop. I'd either adapt the straight bars with suitable brake levers or toss the "safety levers" and use the drop bars without them.
If it were your bike. But these are commuters for the homeless. The time and expense of converting them could be much better used elsewhere considering these are fully functional as is. Making the shifting more complicated is an even worse idea for a bike that will get almost no maintenance.

Safety levers aren't great, but they do work. I had two bikes with them.
Kontact is offline  
Likes For Kontact:
Old 01-14-23, 03:11 PM
  #6  
louky
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2022
Posts: 170
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 106 Post(s)
Liked 26 Times in 22 Posts
Thanks for all the replies. I was considering this change firstly just because I want to have the experience of doing it. Secondly, this bike, as it is now seems small to me. I am 5' 5" so I assume shorter than the average person who might end up with these. I know you can't "cure" an improper frame size by these types of changes, but I think raising the bars and seat would improve it somewhat. Also, many of the homeless I see are juggling possessions etc. and I think the drop bars would add to the awkwardness. I do have a bike co-op close by where I can probably get the levers cheaply, especially now that the shifters won't have to be changed.

Does anyone know offhand what size bars these use? I can take them off first and measure, but I may want to go to the co-op first. Online I see a lot of 25.4. I assume you would just measure the diameter of the bars where they fit into the stem?
louky is offline  
Old 01-14-23, 03:18 PM
  #7  
grumpus
Senior Member
 
grumpus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,064
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 442 Post(s)
Liked 404 Times in 307 Posts
Originally Posted by louky
I have been repairing bikes and donating them to a homeless organization. Recently a person donated 2 matching bikes to me to refurbish and re-donate. Both bikes are Schwinn World Sport 10 speeds. I have also received a donation from a bike shop of 2 straight handlebars. I think these bikes would be more functional for the folks who receive them without the drop bars. I have included a picture for my questions.
That looks mint, probably collectable - I'd be inclined to try to sell the bikes and put the proceeds towards more suitable bikes for your clients.
Originally Posted by louky
Can I get away with leaving these friction shifters in place? After I change the bars, can I just use some regular inexpensive brake levers like would be on a MTB? Since these bikes are 2 x 5's is there an option for using those combination brake and shifter sets?
V brake levers won't work properly with old caliper brakes, you'd need to find cantilever brake levers also that will work with non-indexed gears. Road and MTB handlebars are different diameters so you'll need to check the stem clamp and grip/lever area for a match.
grumpus is online now  
Likes For grumpus:
Old 01-14-23, 04:04 PM
  #8  
veganbikes
Clark W. Griswold
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,278

Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26

Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4252 Post(s)
Liked 3,865 Times in 2,578 Posts
Originally Posted by grumpus
That looks mint, probably collectable - I'd be inclined to try to sell the bikes and put the proceeds towards more suitable bikes for your clients.
It is a lower end Schwinn I am sure people collect them but it has stem shifters, "safety levers" and a Hi Tensile steel fork it is not worth a ton of money and in the end could provide a bike for someone. When a bike has to highlight "brand name components" not a good sign of a great collector machine.

I would just leave the bikes alone get them functional lubricated and give them to people who could use them. If you have parts on hand that you are willing to donate to the cause then yeah convert them but don't spend much money on them just a little in labor and maybe some chemicals or minor stuff as needed.
veganbikes is offline  
Likes For veganbikes:
Old 01-14-23, 04:46 PM
  #9  
denaffen
Full Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2020
Posts: 288

Bikes: Bianchi Nyala, Bianchi Volpe, Bianchi Campione D'Italia, Trek 640, Luxus folding bike, Schwinn Speedster, Bianchi Torino, KHS Aero Sport, probably something else around here somewhere

Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 117 Post(s)
Liked 198 Times in 100 Posts
Don’t let the naysayers dissuade you. It’s a simple enough conversion, and I agree, probably better for the folks who will be getting them.

keep the stem friction shifters or get some cheap bar mount friction shifters. They’re about 15 on Amazon. The stem mounts will be fine though.

Dirt common 25.4 bars will work great.

the stem is probably 25.4, but if it happens to be 26.0 it’s easy to shim with a beer can.

you’ll need brake levers for anything that didn’t have v brakes. If you can scavenge some from an old mtb or an upright Schwinn or something like that, great.

and you’ll need new brake lines.

if you have this stuff laying around it’s pretty easy and a bike like that takes well to an upright conversion.

but if you don’t have this stuff around then the cost will quickly exceed the cost of the bike
denaffen is offline  
Old 01-14-23, 05:57 PM
  #10  
maddog34
Senior Member
 
maddog34's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: NW Oregon
Posts: 2,974

Bikes: !982 Trek 930R Custom, Diamondback ascent with SERIOUS updates, Fuji Team Pro CF and a '09 Comencal Meta 5.5

Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1299 Post(s)
Liked 739 Times in 534 Posts
You'll need Short pull Brake levers.. Center pull, Canti, ROAD disc,and Side pull brakes use Short pull levers. Measure from the Lever Pivot to the Center of the cable ferrule hole.. Short pull levers measure about 28mm... LONG pull levers (for long reach V-brakes and MTB Disc) measure about 32 to 35mm... This will make finding the correct pull Levers easier when they are just tossed in a box at a Co-op. TEST the lever clamps on YOUR Chosen flat bar to ensure they will fit... and don't let any Burrs on the ends of the bar trick you, Clean the burrs off with a file Before testing.

MTB standard lever bar clamp diameter is 22.2 mm or so.. Road levers are a 24mm lever clamp size, roughly.

oh, and a mismatch of pull length will have you not stopping well, and possibly winding up seeking a new front wheel, front fork, frame, and a good denture sculptor... so don't ask or assume, just MEASURE.

Last edited by maddog34; 01-14-23 at 06:08 PM.
maddog34 is offline  
Likes For maddog34:
Old 01-14-23, 06:23 PM
  #11  
sweeks
Senior Member
 
sweeks's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Chicago area
Posts: 2,541

Bikes: Airborne "Carpe Diem", Motobecane "Mirage", Trek 6000, Strida 2, Dahon "Helios XL", Dahon "Mu XL", Tern "Verge S11i"

Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 978 Post(s)
Liked 574 Times in 395 Posts
I converted my old (new in 1975) Motobecane from drop bars to "normal" (sort of "moustache" shaped) bars. The stem-mounted shifters work fine. I got an inexpensive set of brake levers to complete the transformation.

47-year-old bike is still pretty comfortable.
sweeks is offline  
Likes For sweeks:
Old 01-15-23, 07:11 AM
  #12  
grumpus
Senior Member
 
grumpus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,064
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 442 Post(s)
Liked 404 Times in 307 Posts
Originally Posted by veganbikes
It is a lower end Schwinn I am sure people collect them but it has stem shifters, "safety levers" and a Hi Tensile steel fork it is not worth a ton of money and in the end could provide a bike for someone. When a bike has to highlight "brand name components" not a good sign of a great collector machine.
People get nostalgic about bikes from their youth, even if they were W*mart specials. Safety levers were required by law so can be more a measure of the bikes' vintage than their desirability. And yes, when there are stickers proudly proclaiming "18 speed SIS" you know it's not going to be the greatest, but basic specification didn't stop us from having fun BITD.
Originally Posted by veganbikes
I would just leave the bikes alone get them functional lubricated and give them to people who could use them. If you have parts on hand that you are willing to donate to the cause then yeah convert them but don't spend much money on them just a little in labor and maybe some chemicals or minor stuff as needed.
Agreed - if they're going to be donated I'd just get them working properly, not worth the effort of "upgrading". Could be that someone prefers a "racer" to a mountain bike shaped object anyway.
grumpus is online now  
Old 01-15-23, 07:40 AM
  #13  
dedhed
SE Wis
 
dedhed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Milwaukee, WI
Posts: 10,516

Bikes: '68 Raleigh Sprite, '02 Raleigh C500, '84 Raleigh Gran Prix, '91 Trek 400, 2013 Novara Randonee, 1990 Trek 970

Mentioned: 40 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2731 Post(s)
Liked 3,361 Times in 2,034 Posts
Just pre set them where they'll end up anyway

dedhed is offline  
Likes For dedhed:
Old 01-15-23, 08:32 AM
  #14  
louky
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2022
Posts: 170
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 106 Post(s)
Liked 26 Times in 22 Posts
Grumpus: They are both mint, appear to have been bought together. Same size and I am going to check if they have consecutive serial numbers. I understand what you are saying about selling them as is, and donating the money. I received these after requesting donor bikes on a local FB page, and told the person donating that they would be going to a particular organization. I did this before I actually saw the condition of the bikes. I need to follow through on this, though what you suggested may make more sense.
louky is offline  
Likes For louky:
Old 01-15-23, 09:00 AM
  #15  
veganbikes
Clark W. Griswold
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,278

Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26

Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4252 Post(s)
Liked 3,865 Times in 2,578 Posts
Originally Posted by grumpus
People get nostalgic about bikes from their youth, even if they were W*mart specials. Safety levers were required by law so can be more a measure of the bikes' vintage than their desirability. And yes, when there are stickers proudly proclaiming "18 speed SIS" you know it's not going to be the greatest, but basic specification didn't stop us from having fun BITD.

Agreed - if they're going to be donated I'd just get them working properly, not worth the effort of "upgrading". Could be that someone prefers a "racer" to a mountain bike shaped object anyway.
Maybe but it is not a desirable bike, I am sure maybe someone would buy it but finding that person who has to have the bike from their youth is going to probably be a long process and won't get you much money. You will still see similar stickers to the 18 speed stickers, nothing really has changed heck we are still spec'ing 7 speed on modern bikes and not talking IGHs. Low end will always be low.

I don't recall ever reading if those levers were mandated by law. Generally they are found on lower end bikes from what I do recall but I am unsure about mandates but it is possible though this bike is from the 80s so past the 70s bike boom.

louky No don't it is a low end bike read the above. Yes you may get some money for them there are certainly people who have gotten max dollars from a bike that wasn't worth it but the bikes are better off donated and as is (or as little as possible for functionality) Unless the goal is to just donate money the bikes are a better item because they aren't money so they can't go to any overhead or anything like that they can be used as bikes or someone else can try to sell them but in the end they are better as bikes than they would be as money. If these were Paramounts or a higher end Schwinn the conversation would be hugely different but these are almost 40 year old low end bikes. Fine bikes, potentially very rideable but nothing desirable except maybe one or two people and finding that one or two persons interested enough to spend the money to make it barely worthwhile is a lot of work and not worth it.

Make sure the bikes work as decently as possible and give them away and you have done a good thing : )
veganbikes is offline  
Likes For veganbikes:
Old 01-15-23, 09:25 AM
  #16  
XxHaimBondxX
Full Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Albany, NY
Posts: 383

Bikes: Trek FX 7.3, Specialized Roubaix, Scott CR1 SL, Huffy RedRock (first bike), Aostimotor S17 ebike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 182 Post(s)
Liked 242 Times in 121 Posts
Originally Posted by sweeks
I converted my old (new in 1975) Motobecane from drop bars to "normal" (sort of "moustache" shaped) bars. The stem-mounted shifters work fine. I got an inexpensive set of brake levers to complete the transformation.

47-year-old bike is still pretty comfortable.
I can't put my finger on it, but why do your handlebars look so much better than mine?

XxHaimBondxX is offline  
Old 01-15-23, 09:55 AM
  #17  
sweeks
Senior Member
 
sweeks's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Chicago area
Posts: 2,541

Bikes: Airborne "Carpe Diem", Motobecane "Mirage", Trek 6000, Strida 2, Dahon "Helios XL", Dahon "Mu XL", Tern "Verge S11i"

Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 978 Post(s)
Liked 574 Times in 395 Posts
Originally Posted by XxHaimBondxX
I can't put my finger on it, but why do your handlebars look so much better than mine?
Hmmm... could it be the grips?
Srsly, they look the same to me. I wanted a set of Rivendell "moustache" bars, but they weren't available for some reason, so I went to a random bike shop and found a pair displayed on a wall. $24, IIRC.

EDIT: Nice old lugged-frame Trek!

Last edited by sweeks; 01-15-23 at 09:58 AM.
sweeks is offline  
Likes For sweeks:
Old 01-15-23, 11:03 AM
  #18  
louky
Junior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Aug 2022
Posts: 170
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 106 Post(s)
Liked 26 Times in 22 Posts
I've made a little progress and have a couple of more questions. The current drop bars measured 25.4 mm (it had a thin sleeve on it). The quill stem measured 22mm +. If I am understanding all of the comments, I should be able to use a set of flat bars (or curved bars) from the co-op that measures 25.4 in the middle and a set of levers off an older MB that has a short pull. Could I also get a stem adaptor, and use the handlebars that were donated from a local bike store? These are take-offs from ebikes that are being replaced an on a particular model since the people buying the bikes are requesting swept bars. Here is a link to the adaptor. Amazon.com : UPANBIKE Road Mountain Bike Bicycle Stem Riser Adapter 1 1/8" φ22.2mm 25.4mm 150mm : Sports & Outdoors

Is one of these ideas better than the other? I've included a pic of the donated bars and the current stem.
louky is offline  
Old 01-15-23, 12:38 PM
  #19  
XxHaimBondxX
Full Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Albany, NY
Posts: 383

Bikes: Trek FX 7.3, Specialized Roubaix, Scott CR1 SL, Huffy RedRock (first bike), Aostimotor S17 ebike

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 182 Post(s)
Liked 242 Times in 121 Posts
Originally Posted by sweeks
Hmmm... could it be the grips?
Srsly, they look the same to me. I wanted a set of Rivendell "moustache" bars, but they weren't available for some reason, so I went to a random bike shop and found a pair displayed on a wall. $24, IIRC.

EDIT: Nice old lugged-frame Trek!
Perhaps a slightly different angle. Do they feel like driving a bus? 😂 I replaced mine immediately with raised mtb bars because I thought they belong on a beach cruiser, but I dig your look.

Trek cleaned up well and almost ready to hit the road, just needs front tire and warmer weather.

Op, perhaps you want to go with the cruiser look, so I could ship you the moustache bars. Pm me.

Last edited by XxHaimBondxX; 01-15-23 at 12:41 PM.
XxHaimBondxX is offline  
Old 01-15-23, 01:12 PM
  #20  
sweeks
Senior Member
 
sweeks's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Chicago area
Posts: 2,541

Bikes: Airborne "Carpe Diem", Motobecane "Mirage", Trek 6000, Strida 2, Dahon "Helios XL", Dahon "Mu XL", Tern "Verge S11i"

Mentioned: 22 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 978 Post(s)
Liked 574 Times in 395 Posts
Originally Posted by XxHaimBondxX
Perhaps a slightly different angle. Do they feel like driving a bus? 😂 I replaced mine immediately with raised mtb bars because I thought they belong on a beach cruiser, but I dig your look.
Yes, they are a bit wide, but they're comfortable. I've got the bike set up on an indoor trainer at present and the bars are fine for that. In the better weather to come, I'll mostly use it to knock around town.
Originally Posted by louky
Could I also get a stem adaptor, and use the handlebars that were donated from a local bike store?
That's adding what might be considered unnecessary complexity, plus spending an extra $20 or so on the project. Also, it might be my overactive imagination, but those heavy e-bike bars will look terribly out-of-place on those nice old bikes.
sweeks is offline  
Likes For sweeks:
Old 01-16-23, 11:35 AM
  #21  
grumpus
Senior Member
 
grumpus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,064
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 442 Post(s)
Liked 404 Times in 307 Posts
Originally Posted by veganbikes
Maybe but it is not a desirable bike,
In your opinion, but I'm not trying to sell it to you.
Originally Posted by veganbikes
I am sure maybe someone would buy it but finding that person who has to have the bike from their youth is going to probably be a long process and won't get you much money
As difficult as listing it on eBay - yeah, too much effort.
Originally Posted by veganbikes
You will still see similar stickers to the 18 speed stickers, nothing really has changed heck we are still spec'ing 7 speed on modern bikes and not talking IGHs. Low end will always be low.
There's nothing wrong with 7 speed cassettes (but getting hard to find good quality replacements. Freewheels are well past their sell by date; I've been surprised that a couple of bikes I've worked on recently (Trek, Liv) still use freewheels.
Originally Posted by veganbikes
I don't recall ever reading if those levers were mandated by law
I got bored of looking through old govt documents searching for the appropriate regulations, maybe I'll try again later.
grumpus is online now  
Old 01-16-23, 01:36 PM
  #22  
squirtdad
Senior Member
 
squirtdad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,848

Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque

Mentioned: 104 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2302 Post(s)
Liked 2,737 Times in 1,497 Posts
Originally Posted by louky
Thanks for all the replies. I was considering this change firstly just because I want to have the experience of doing it. Secondly, this bike, as it is now seems small to me. I am 5' 5" so I assume shorter than the average person who might end up with these. I know you can't "cure" an improper frame size by these types of changes, but I think raising the bars and seat would improve it somewhat. Also, many of the homeless I see are juggling possessions etc. and I think the drop bars would add to the awkwardness. I do have a bike co-op close by where I can probably get the levers cheaply, especially now that the shifters won't have to be changed.

Does anyone know offhand what size bars these use? I can take them off first and measure, but I may want to go to the co-op first. Online I see a lot of 25.4. I assume you would just measure the diameter of the bars where they fit into the stem?
why would drop bars add awkwardness? I don't get that thinking at all. If anything keeping the drop bars might reduce chances of theft because so many people don't think they are as good as they are.

I have helped at a bike charity off and on for years and that work would not be something they would invest time in, when you have a totally functioning bike ready to go, better to invest the time in other areas

certainly can't cure a small bike with bars and a flat bar would make no difference in reach, while a north style bar would reduce reach.
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)



squirtdad is offline  
Old 01-16-23, 01:40 PM
  #23  
squirtdad
Senior Member
 
squirtdad's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Jose (Willow Glen) Ca
Posts: 9,848

Bikes: Kirk Custom JK Special, '84 Team Miyata,(dura ace old school) 80?? SR Semi-Pro 600 Arabesque

Mentioned: 104 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2302 Post(s)
Liked 2,737 Times in 1,497 Posts
Originally Posted by louky
I've made a little progress and have a couple of more questions. The current drop bars measured 25.4 mm (it had a thin sleeve on it). The quill stem measured 22mm +. If I am understanding all of the comments, I should be able to use a set of flat bars (or curved bars) from the co-op that measures 25.4 in the middle and a set of levers off an older MB that has a short pull. Could I also get a stem adaptor, and use the handlebars that were donated from a local bike store? These are take-offs from ebikes that are being replaced an on a particular model since the people buying the bikes are requesting swept bars. Here is a link to the adaptor. Amazon.com : UPANBIKE Road Mountain Bike Bicycle Stem Riser Adapter 1 1/8" φ22.2mm 25.4mm 150mm : Sports & Outdoors

Is one of these ideas better than the other? I've included a pic of the donated bars and the current stem.
thread stem adaptor = more work for little added benefit.....

if you can find a flat bar that fits the stem and brakes that fit the bar have fun, but again no huge added benefit when dealing with a bike for charity (and i have done conversions like this for myself. end up more style and some times more upright riding position
__________________
Life is too short not to ride the best bike you have, as much as you can
(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)



squirtdad is offline  
Old 01-16-23, 02:28 PM
  #24  
grumpus
Senior Member
 
grumpus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 1,064
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 442 Post(s)
Liked 404 Times in 307 Posts
Originally Posted by XxHaimBondxX
I can't put my finger on it, but why do your handlebars look so much better than mine?
Because they're rotated back a bit more?
grumpus is online now  
Old 01-16-23, 02:29 PM
  #25  
veganbikes
Clark W. Griswold
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: ,location, location
Posts: 13,278

Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26

Mentioned: 54 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4252 Post(s)
Liked 3,865 Times in 2,578 Posts
Originally Posted by grumpus
In your opinion, but I'm not trying to sell it to you.

As difficult as listing it on eBay - yeah, too much effort.

There's nothing wrong with 7 speed cassettes (but getting hard to find good quality replacements. Freewheels are well past their sell by date; I've been surprised that a couple of bikes I've worked on recently (Trek, Liv) still use freewheels.

I got bored of looking through old govt documents searching for the appropriate regulations, maybe I'll try again later.
Yeah it is not hard to post on eBay but waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting to sell a low end bike is tough and if someone does end up buying it you have to ship it and charge more for shipping meaning less for the bike or an even harder time selling.

There was nothing wrong with 7 speed back in the day but now we are up to 12 speed so 7 speed is at the bottom end these days and has been for a while. Old vintage stuff is great but the "new" stuff has gone downhill and then you do have a couple actual downhill groupsets that are specific to downhill bikes.

Sadly a lot of companies are still using low end parts. Trek is using a lot of quill stems and freewheels and charging way too much money for them, Jamis built a new frame and fork in their Coda line up so they could have a lower end option then the sport with a quill stem and freewheel and tourney. It is a sad fact that we are still racing to bottom sometimes. I think decent vintage bikes are great but modern bikes with low end vintage-esque components is just silly.

I remember doing a comparison which happened to be e-bike specific but had a similarly spec'd Trek and Gazelle but for less money you got more with the Gazelle. It is sad that the more expensive bike has worse parts on it.
veganbikes is offline  

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.