Road bike regret! Convert?

[Loofer]

hi guys,
Noob here. Waistline was gettin on bit and I don't like running so thought I would get a cheap starter bike. Picked up a Btwin Road bike for £50 just to get going.

I was specifically looking for a road bike due to them being a bit more lightweight and aimed at fitness etc. Turns out the drop handles don't suit me at all. I don't like the arched position and I couldn't get used to the brakes being where they are on the dropped handles.

I'm considering if it's a relatively easy job to convert it to normal flat bar use. Don't even need to change to the handle bar but just relocate the brakes so they are 'normal' levers on top. What should I get? Would all levers fit or do I have to measure up? Not looking to end too much. Bare minimum to be honest as I've yet to find out I will enjoy cycling.

I assume I just thread the existing cable through, hoping they're long enough.

It's 21 speed and I don't expect to use more than a single gear for now but I don't like idea of the shifters being down near my legs (are they called downtime shifters). Probably something for the future. How on earth do people change gear when riding at speed?
Is this a bit more difficult to change? Should I do it at the same time as brake levers?

Many thanks for your help in advance

 

[screenman]

Does that bike even fit you? If you need the saddle that low I would say the reach is too long, unless you have extremely long arms, like past the knee's and a bit more.

 

[biggs682]

@Loofer that would convert to flat bars and handle bar mounted brifter units quite easily if it is the right size ???

 

[AndyRM]

How tall are you and what size is the frame? Looks relatively small to my eye.

Could be that all you need to do is set it up correctly, Google will see you right in that respect.

As for the shifters, if you stick with them you'll get the knack pretty quickly, they used to be standard on road bikes.

 

[Loofer]

Thanks folks. I've set the seat low as it just felt better. I do have marginally longer than average arms, not down to my knees though! When I sit on the seat as I've positioned it then I can comfortably have my feet flat on the floor.

I'm 5'11" and leg length is 33"
I measured from bottom bracket to the top of seat tube and it was about 56cm

 

[Dogtrousers]

The rule I have always used for saddle height is: Sit on the saddle and put the heel of your foot on the pedal at its lowest position. Your leg should be locked straight. Then when you move your foot so the ball of your foot is on the pedal then you will have a slight bend at the knee. You will not be able to get both feet down while on the saddle in this position though. Just one. You will probably find that rather high at first, though. But both feet flat on the floor while seated is too low and will not lead to comfortable riding, so maybe just raise it a bit to begin with.

If I understand right, you are aiming to retain the dropped bars but put different brake levers on? Something like these Cross levers? http://www.wiggle.co.uk/cane-creek-crosstop-brake-levers/ Or did I misunderstand?

Down tube levers come naturally to me, they are in the "just right" position. But that's because I've used them a lot - I can understand how they may seem a bit odd at first. If, however, you were to put flat bars on the bike, and adopt a more upright riding position then I can imagine that DT levers would be less ideal.

 

[zizou]

Thanks folks. I've set the seat low as it just felt better. I do have marginally longer than average arms, not down to my knees though! When I sit on the seat as I've positioned it then I can comfortably have my feet flat on the floor.

I'm 5'11" and leg length is 33"
I measured from bottom bracket to the top of seat tube and it was about 56cm

Bike sounds about the right size for you however the seat should be positioned relative to the pedals rather than how your feet are on the ground. Will be much more comfortable to ride.

The hoods / shifters look to be pointing up too much (it might just be the angle the bike is leaning at but the bars also look to be rotated up too much as well) all this will cause difficulty shifting and braking because you'll need to stretch up quite a bit with your hands to reach the the levers.

 

[Rob3rt]

Thanks folks. I've set the seat low as it just felt better. I do have marginally longer than average arms, not down to my knees though! When I sit on the seat as I've positioned it then I can comfortably have my feet flat on the floor.

I'm 5'11" and leg length is 33"
I measured from bottom bracket to the top of seat tube and it was about 56cm

You should barely (or more than likely not at all) be able to touch the floor with your toe when seated, never mind flat footing it. Saddle WAY too low.

 

[HarryTheDog]

Hi @Loofer ) To change it from a drop bar to flat bar "properly" is proably going to be more trouble than your 50 quid bike is worth . To do it properly you will need a set of bars, possibly a new stem, I would get a set of brake levers and gear trigger shifters with rear deraileur to match ( rear mech)
here is a suggested 7 speed trigger shifter like this http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-altus-m310-7-speed-trigger-shifter/rp-prod55296 and mech http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-acera-m360-7-8-speed-rear-mech/rp-prod38673. You will aslo need a trigger shifter for the front mech http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/shimano-...-speed-band-on-lever-pod-left-hand-prod24215/ and maybe a front mech as well but you might get away without changing it. Some brake levers http://www.chainreactioncycles.com/shimano-tiagra-r550-brake-lever-flat-bars-only/rp-prod34695 So you will end up spending more than you paid for the bike.

 

[mjr]

They're called downtube shifters and you learn to ride one handed, reach down to the shifter without looking and change gears by feel.

However, the first time I used them, I looked at them for far too long and looked up just in time to see that I was crashing into a field...

Get Crosstop brakes and put those bars back level: that'll help. And if you really don't get on with it, there are many other bike types.

 

[Loofer]

Ok, it seems unanimous decision on saddle height. Haven't ridden in long time (15 years) and the safety of knowing I could quickly get my feet on the floor was the key reason.

I've not actually taken it on the road yet, just had a quick try round my back street.

The brakes that @Dogtrousers posted are exactly what I had in mind, but to use as primary brakes rather than secondary. Probably would have disconnected the drop bar ones altogether.

If the cost does seem uneconomical then I may consider selling it and getting a hybrid bike. Not many about on eBay. Looking to spend £100 max

 

[jack smith]

Look on ebay i got some shimano rapidfire shifters (brakes and shifters in one) for about £15 brand new including the inner cables, a flat bar will be dirt cheap too as above though sort the saddle height first and maube even try moving the levers and a shorter stem

 

[MichaelW2]

The handlebar drop is really deep. Shallow styles are back in fashion and are generally more comfortable for casual riders.

 

[raleighnut]

Ideal bike to convert, but the saddle needs to be set higher or you will cripple your knees.
BTW

 

[Tojo]

Ok, it seems unanimous decision on saddle height. Haven't ridden in long time (15 years) and the safety of knowing I could quickly get my feet on the floor was the key reason.

I've not actually taken it on the road yet, just had a quick try round my back street.


If you ride a longer distance with the seat height as it is you will probably get pain in your knees which will put you of getting back out and doing the exercise you are feeling you want to do so it will be counter productive and put you off, I would say set your seat height as people are telling you and use open pedals until you get more confident.....