Drop Handlebars are one of the most popular styles of handlebars on the market. They provide a comfortable and aerodynamic position that is perfect for both racing and touring.
Flat Handlebars, on the other hand, provide a more upright riding position that is more comfortable for casual riders who are looking for a more relaxed ride. This article will show you how to convert your drop handlebars to flat handlebars.
Can You Change A Drop Bar To A Flat Bar?
Yes, you can change a drop bar to a flat bar. You just need to remove the dropouts from the front and back of the bike. This will allow you to slide the handlebars up or down on the stem.
The advantages of changing your handlebars are that they can improve your bike’s fit and performance. It also allows you to adjust your riding position for comfort.
Tips To Convert Drop To Flat Handlebars
1- Get stem measurements
The first step is to measure your current handlebars so you know what size you need to buy. You will need a straight edge, ruler, and caliper. The straight edge should be at least 30cm long and the ruler should be 6cm long.
The caliper needs to have a measurement range of 0-30mm for this project.
This can be done by measuring from the top of the head tube down to where your bars attach to it.
2- Pick the proper handlebars
Once you have the measurements, you can start picking your handlebar. Many companies make grips for mountain and road bikes. There are many different types of handlebars, including drop bars, aero bars, and bullhorns. You will want to pick the one that matches your bike best.
It is important to make sure the bars you pick are compatible with your stem. The most common stem size that you’ll find is between 20-25mm, so make sure the handlebars you buy are compatible with this measurement. If they’re not, consider buying a different brand of handlebar.
3- Get flat bar brake levers
When you switch your handlebars from a drop bar to a flat bar, you will need to get new brake levers. These flat bar brake levers are designed specifically for use with flat handlebars and they make it easier to operate the brakes by providing more leverage.
There are many advantages of getting these flat bar brake levers when you are upgrading your handlebars from a drop bar to a flat bar. They offer more clearance for your hands, they have better ergonomics, and they have less chance of getting caught in the spokes of the wheel.
4- Choose flat bar shifters
Flat bar shifters are a must-have for people who want to switch from drop bar handlebars to flat bars. If you want to get the best out of your new bike, then you need to get the right flat bar shifter.
There are two types of flat bar shifters – friction and indexed. The main difference between these two is that friction shifters require more effort from your hands while indexed ones require less effort.
You should also consider the size of your handlebars and whether they are round or rectangular when choosing a flat bar shift lever.
5- Select the proper handlebar grips for your needs
Select the proper handlebar grips for your needs when changing your handlebars from drop bar to flat bar
When you change your handlebars from a drop bar to a flat bar, you need to choose the proper handlebar grips for your needs.
Handlebar grips are the part of the bicycle that connects the bars to the frame. They provide comfort and grip when riding and help reduce fatigue.
The two most common types of handlebar grips are rubber-covered and metal-covered handles. Rubber-covered grips provide an extra layer of grip when riding in wet conditions or on wet roads. Metal-covered grips offer better grip in dry conditions but can be slippery in wet conditions.
How To Convert Drop To Flat Handlebars?
The process of converting a drop bar to a flat one is actually quite simple. All it takes is some time, patience, and the right tools.
If you are looking to convert your drop handlebars to flat handlebars, you will need a few tools and some time.
Tools needed:
- Allen key (hex wrench)
- Phillips screwdriver
- Hex wrench
- Hammer
- Lighter/heat gun/blow dryer -(optional) wire cutters or pliers if your bike has wires running through the stem clamp area.
The following steps will walk you through it:
- Step 1: Remove the brake levers and brake cables from the bike frame
- Step 2: Loosen the stem bolts
- Step 3: Remove the old handlebar and stem
- Step 4: Install the new flat handlebar and stem assembly
- Step 5: Tighten the bolts on the new handlebar and stem assembly
- Step 6: Thread your brake cables through the new stem and attach them to your brakes
Step 1: Remove the brake levers and brake cables from the bike frame
First, remove the brake cables from the bar by unscrewing them from the lever and then pulling them out of their housing.
Step 2: Loosen the stem bolts
Loosen the stem bolts on each side of the stem and pull them out. This will give you enough room to unbolt the old handlebars and pull them out of the stem.
Step 3: Remove the old handlebar and stem
Removing the old handlebars from your bike. You’ll need to find a bolt that will fit into the holes at either end of your drop bars and thread it into the frame of your bike.
It’s important that you make sure you don’t damage any parts when you remove them, so choose a bolt that fits snugly into each hole with no wiggle room for movement in either direction.
Step 4: Install the new flat handlebar and stem assembly
Install the new stem on your bike frame and adjust it to fit you properly.
You need to make sure that your new bar has the same length as your old one. This will also help you figure out how much longer you need for your new bars.
You can also change the angle of your bars by using spacers and washers, but this might not be necessary if you have enough space between them.
Step 5: Tighten the bolts on the new handlebar and stem assembly
Tightening the bolts on the new stem and handlebar assembly can be done in two ways: with an Allen key and with a torque wrench.
Step 6: Thread your brake cables through the new stem and attach them to your brakes
Next, take off the front brake cable guides and replace them with ones for flat bars. For this purpose, use a cable guide that has an opening in one end for a brake cable and a slot in the other end for a brake lever.
Then, adjust the brakes so they work on flat bars as they did on drop bars. This is necessary because when you turn your bike upside down, it will put pressure on different parts of the brake pads.
Flat Handlebars vs Drop Handlebar
The main difference between the Flat Handlebars and Drop Handlebars is the way they are shaped. The Flat Handlebars are shaped like a U-shape, while the Drop Handlebars have a more rounded shape.
Some cyclists may prefer flat handlebars because they can be more comfortable than drop handlebars; they are not as low and can be more easily adjusted to different heights by changing stem length or simply rotating them on the stem.
FAQs
Can you change the flat bar to a drop bar?
Yes, you can replace flat handlebars with drop handlebars. However, there are some limitations that come with the change.
The decision to replace flat handlebars with drop bars should be made after looking at the pros and cons of each type of handlebar.
Conclusion
This article has been a comprehensive guide on how to convert drop bars to flat handlebars. The article has listed all the necessary steps and also included a few tips that might help you in your project. I hope it helped you in some way.
