Drop handlebar to flat. Some reassurance that choices are correct?

[rockyraccoon]

I've got this project of converting road bike from drop to flat handlebars.

I've read a lot about it but just need confirmation that I'm on the right path.
Road bike = 56cm frame, double x 8 speed. It has claris derailleur front and rear, 31.8cm handlebar, Tektro dual pivot long reach brakes.

I'm right to say that anything below 10 speed, shimano mtb and road shifters should all be compatible? And as long as the shifters are also 2x front and rear made for 8 speed then they'll work?

For road calipers, I'll need short pull brakes levers for a flat bar. Claris will work with long or short pull brakes after adjusting a little switch.


Am I missing anything?

 

[cyberknight]

mtb derailliers have a different cable pull , best bets is to get a set of 2x8 claris flat bar shifters

 

[GeekDadZoid]

mtb derailliers have a different cable pull , best bets is to get a set of 2x8 claris flat bar shifters

At 8 speed? I run a Shimano Altus M2000 with Sora drop brifters with no bother at all.

 

[All uphill]

I've done this both ways, flat to drop, then back to flat.

The big difference is the reach - you will have a much shorter reach with flat bars unless you change the stem. Does the bike fit you now? If so you may feel a bit squashed.

As for the compatibility I think you are right.

 

[rockyraccoon]

@All uphill, yes bike fits me fine and it has 110mm stem for oversized handlebars which will probably need replacing because the shifter levers for flat handlbars will only fit smaller 24.5mm bars. A few things to considerate

 

[philtalksbx]

There's a coincidence - see my Claud Butler build thread last post today is the conversion to flat bars.
I'll check on specific components, it all came out of the parts bin. At the moment it's still on 600 downtube shifters and 7-speed mech. I have a Deore LX 9-speed shifter coming, I'll let you know what works with it when it gets here.
Reach is great and lets me sit up a bit more than with the drop bars, which I find very comfy around town.

 

[cyberknight]

At 8 speed? I run a Shimano Altus M2000 with Sora drop brifters with no bother at all.

its the front that can be an issue , i had no end of trouble when i did an 8 by two from flat to drop

 

[Venod]

yes bike fits me fine and it has 110mm stem for oversized handlebars which will probably need replacing because the shifter levers for flat handlbars will only fit smaller 24.5mm bars. A few things to considerate

It's only the bit of the Handlebar that goes through the stem that is oversize, you can get 31.8mm flat bars to suit your stem.

 

[GeekDadZoid]

its the front that can be an issue , i had no end of trouble when i did an 8 by two from flat to drop

I am running friction shifting on my conversion now, so no bother at all at the front.

 

[DCBassman]

Use a set of these, they are Sora/Claris.
https://bankruptbikeparts.co.uk/col...r-lever-set-16-speed-8-x-2-for-flat-handlebar

They can even be used with V-brakes. Currently on my 3x8 Sora 8sp, and a LH shifter on a 2x9.

 

[cyberknight]

I am running friction shifting on my conversion now, so no bother at all at the front.

i did the same i ended up with bar end shifters from flat to drop as i did it on the cheap

 

[DCBassman]

The main reason I linked that particular type of shifter is that my experience says road front derailleur are NOT the same as MTB, even if the rears are. Those are fully STI compatible versions meant to do precisiely what you are wanting.