Butterfly to straight bar conversion on a Nomad - has anybody done it?

[pk]

Evening all,

My Nomad is currently sporting some very comfortable butterfly bars. This is how I spec'd the bike up back in 2011. It's done a fair 6000 miles (not nearly as many as I'd hoped) and I am very happy with it.

Although I'm happy with my butterfly bar set-up, I am looking at trying out straight bars. It's a simple thing to do, I know, but I wonder if anybody has done anything similar?

My main reason for asking is because of the geometry: because I spec'd the bike with the butterfly bars, the frame I was given apparently has a longer top tube than it would had I opted for straight bars. This means in order for me to put a straight bar on the bike I would need a very short stem (something similar to one of those mountain biking ones which are about 30mm).

It's not essential that I do this. The main motivation is that I'm considering putting a suspension fork on it for another type of cycling (which might be quite odd with butterfly bars!).

Any thoughts/comments/experience would be gratefully received.

[Matt2matt2002]

I did it on my Raven.
It came with butterfly's and a spare Thorn straight bar.
Not sure why I wanted to change although I am now very happy with the straight bars.

However when I came to make the change, I found that the Rohloff shifter had welded itself to the butterfly bars!
I finished up having to buy and refit a new shifter and gear cables.

It looked like a simple job to do but became a nightmare.

And be prepared to juggle the height and reach of your new bars.
That part was good fun.

Good luck
Matt

[onrbikes]

And I'm looking at trying butterfly bars or curved.

Right now I have straights with handles on the ends and can never seem a comfortable place.

I would think the butterflies had more varied positions over the long haul.

[julk]

I ride my exp R with Thorn comfort bars and Ergon GP1 grips and find them very comfy.
A stiffening back (old age plus damage when younger) has made me shorten and raise the stem to give a very relaxed position.
The current stem is 60mm long and 35° up http://www.sjscycles.co.uk/kalloy-as-009-uno-1-1-8-ahead-stem-+35-deg-254mm-clamp-black-prod21758/#bottomsection, the bike came with a longer stem fitted lower, it still rides fine.
Julian.

[pk]

Thanks for the various comments! I might look into making the leap.

As I say, I'm perfectly happy with the butterfly bars for my touring and general pleasure on that bike. But for some of the riding I've got planned, it may be quite odd. Good to know I can change it if I want/need.