Drop-bar conversion: replacing TRP Spykes

[annirak]

I'm looking for advice on what to do about my disc brake callipers.

First, the spykes are great--when they're adjusted properly. I have no complaints about modulation or stopping power. I'm not a fan of adjusting the pistons with a tiny 3mm Allen key, while reaching through my spokes and trying to work around my hub gear, though. For that reason, and because I don't think that drop lever cable pull is the same as flat lever cable pull, I'd like to switch to hydraulics or hybrid hydraulics since I'm switching to drop bars anyway.

Overall my project is taking my flat-bar commuter and:

1. Replacing the worn-out enviolo hub gear with a nexus 8 unit
2. Converting the flats to drops, which I like better anyway

In the long run, I'd like to run Di2 because it's better integration for drop-bar shifting since I can't actually source a mechanical nexus/alfine drop-bar shifter. Because of that, I'm starting with ST-6770 STI shifters (that I already have) as brake levers; but I don't yet have the parts to run full Di2. I have a Giant Conduct lying around that I could use, but it has flat-mount callipers and I have an IS2000 frame.

I'm trying to finish this project without spending too much more money, so things like switching to fully hydraulic road levers are probably out of my price range. I could buy a specialist IS2000 to flat adaptor, but those cost more than buying post-mount callipers, so that also seems counterproductive.

I guess I have four options:

1. Try using the Spykes with the ST-6770s, even though I'm not sure the pull ratio is right.
2. Use the Giant Conduct with a horrible chain of adaptors (IS2000 -> post -> flat)
3. Use the Giant Conduct, but replace the flat-mount callipers with post mount ones
4. Get new cable-pull callipers (hybrid or pure mechanical)

Is one of these better than the others? Or is there another option I haven't spotted?

 

[T4tomo]

You can get linear pull (what flat bar levers do and what TPR spyke's need) for drop bars

Tektro RL520 or cane creek do a version too (just called drop bar V brake levers IIRC) that will allow you to use existing brake calipers as acheapets option.

if you insist on changing calipers because they are a bit fiddly to adjust, then the best option is TPR HyRD, which are cable actuated but hydraulic and compatible with regular drop bar brake levers.

how are you proposing to change gear on the hub gear? I cant see that set out anywhere or will the St 6770's work with that?

your option1 wont work
option 2&3 involve giant conduct

 

[annirak]

You can get linear pull (what flat bar levers do and what TPR spyke's need) for drop bars

Tektro RL520 or cane creek do a version too (just called drop bar V brake levers IIRC) that will allow you to use existing brake calipers as acheapets option.

That’s interesting and I’ll have to look at it.

if you insist on changing calipers because they are a bit fiddly to adjust, then the best option is TPR HyRD, which are cable actuated but hydraulic and compatible with regular drop bar brake levers.

Hy/Rd were what I had been looking for but they’ve shot up in price over the last couple of years and they’re now more expensive than a lot of other solutions.

how are you proposing to change gear on the hub gear? I cant see that set out anywhere or will the St 6770's work with that?

The gear shift is a work in progress. I don’t have much choice: nexus shifts with a flat-bar shifter. I’m planning to mount it on a bar extender until I switch to di2.

Long-term, I want di2 for that reason. But, with the cost of di2 battery, junction, battery charger, shift motor, and cables, I couldn’t justify a di2 setup on top of the existing refurb.

your option1 wont work
option 2&3 involve giant conduct

It seems like a pragmatic, if ugly, system.

 

[T4tomo]

It seems like a pragmatic, if ugly, system.

yes probably your best option if you have the system in stock / spare off another bike and you can get around the needing flat mount caliper issue.. To be fair it doesn't look too bad .

one thought re gear change, is there a bar end shifter option for a nexus hub?

answered my own question here :
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/gear-sh...s-mk2-for-shimano-alfine-nexus-internal-hubs/
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/gear-shifters/microshift-bsno8-8-spd-bar-end-shifter/
potentially neater than using a thumb shifter on a bar extender somewhere.

 

[annirak]

yes probably your best option if you have the system in stock / spare off another bike and you can get around the needing flat mount caliper issue.. To be fair it doesn't look too bad .

Yeah it seems to get a lot of hate. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I know very little about it, but I think it’ll do roughly what I need either with an adaptor or by swapping out the callipers… and since I have one already, it seems like a good option

one thought re gear change, is there a bar end shifter option for a nexus hub?

answered my own question here :
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/gear-sh...s-mk2-for-shimano-alfine-nexus-internal-hubs/
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/gear-shifters/microshift-bsno8-8-spd-bar-end-shifter/
potentially neater than using a thumb shifter on a bar extender somewhere.

I looked at bar end shifters quite a bit, trying to plan this out, but ended up getting a flat-bar shifter for free. You’re right, it would be a whole lot cleaner!

 

[annirak]

I spoke to a mechanic this morning about working with Conduct; he assured me that, not only are Tektro callipers compatible with the Conduct system, but also that some Giant bikes ship with Conduct. That being the case, I have a set of M290's in the post. Hopefully he wasn't mistaken!

 

[annirak]

not only are Tektro callipers compatible with the Conduct system, but also that some Giant bikes ship with Conduct master cylinders and Tektro callipers.

fixed…

He was certain that m285 callipers are standard on giant bikes with conduct. I was able to source m290 callipers much more easily and for much less than m285s. Also when inspecting photos of conduct post-mount callipers and Tektro ones, the m290 appears to be the same shell as the conduct.

Fingers crossed; I’ll report back.