Drop bars to flat conversion

[mikeypw4]

I have an old Specialised Allez road bike that I want to convert from drop to flat handlebars, so will need to change shifters and brake levers. Current Tiagra derailleur is a bit tired and needs replacing. Cassette is 9 speed. Don't want to spend a ton of money. Need some advice on rear mech / shifters / brake levers for flat bars on road bike.

Thanks !

 

[ColinJ]

This is a serious question... Do you actually need the gears? I mean, will you be going up hills and/or riding quickly, or will you just be pootling around at no more than say 15-20 mph on pretty flat roads?

I ask because someone gave me a Specialized Allez and I turned it into a very nice singlespeed bike which is great except on significant uphills.

It is about the cheapest way you could convert the bike if you turned it into something like this, only with flat bars...

 

[Grant Fondo]

I have an old Specialised Allez road bike that I want to convert from drop to flat handlebars, so will need to change shifters and brake levers. Current Tiagra derailleur is a bit tired and needs replacing. Cassette is 9 speed. Don't want to spend a ton of money. Need some advice on rear mech / shifters / brake levers for flat bars on road bike.

Thanks !

Hi, i converted my wifes road bike to flat bar for about £80. Problem is no clearance for wider tyres and it doesn't ride like a hybrid, just a twitchy road bike due to the geometry. Not sure i would recommend tbh. Hers was a Specialized Dolce similar to Allez.

 

[vickster]

You’ll need a longer stem as well, plus the bars, grips.

I did it, cost much more than I anticipated, the bike never fitted me properly, always felt too small, sold to a friend 3 inches shorter than me!

 

[iandg]

I did this to my Surly Cross Check last year when I was suffering with lower back pain. I used these levers, compatible with Shimano.

https://spacycles.co.uk/m8b0s108p3611/SUNRACE-M96-Thumbshifter

 

[GuyBoden]

A rode a Ridgeback Flight for a few years, a nice bike, which was designed for flat bars, so had a longer top tube.

Flat bars hurt my hands on longer rides (6+ hours), drop bars don't, but it might be my hands.

 

[cyberknight]

A rode a Ridgeback Flight for a few years, a nice bike, which was designed for flat bars, so had a longer top tube.

Flat bars hurt my hands on longer rides (6+ hours), drop bars don't, but it might be my hands.

im similar with my shoulder, could never really get on with flats