Technical > General Technical

Drops to North Road conversion

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mickeg:
Stem angle and length - consider an adjustable stem.  When you are switching to a different bar type you will likely want to experiment a lot with it until if feels just right.  And once you have it just right, then if you do not want to use the adjustable you can buy the exact one you need and you only have to buy one of them because you can figure out the exact dimensions you need.

I initially used an adjustable on my Long Haul Trucker and later my Sherpa, in both cases I later replaced with a non-adjustable.  Other bikes since then, since I was staying with the same bar type and same saddle type, I did not need the adjustable because I could try to measure and calculate how to replicate my preferred setup for those new bikes.

I also loaned out my adjustable to several friends when they were trying to figure out what to get.  I still use an adjustable on my foldup bike, it makes it easier for me to fold up the bike for storage.

Switching from drop bars to flat bars, you might need a pretty long stem if your top tube is the right length for your drop bars.

My loaner adjustable stem is now permanently serving a different purpose, to hold my handlebar bag bracket, see photo.  I can get my bag lower and closer to the steering axis by using two stems.

Andre Jute:
Second George's remark about an adjustable stem. If you have no experience with sitting upright, you'll actually need the adjustable stem for quite a while before you're tuned in to the new ergonomics, which is likely to involve more than just a handlebar switch. You'll also have to tune in your seat height and angle and very likely, if you use a layback seatpost, change the seatpost. And they all interact. So count on using the adjustable stem for many weeks rather than a few days, until you have the perfect attitude on your bike, especially necessary if you already have trouble anywhere between your coccyx and your head.

The German supplier Humpert makes a very solid adjustable stem that I used permanently on a touring/utility bike because I was under the physio's care and what my back could take on any day was variable quantity. Kalloy (Uno) makes a cheap toollessly adjustable stem which you might find very convenient.

Unless you can source and afford a fancy Nitto, the most commonly available good North Road bars are made by Kalloy-Uno of Taiwan; they're a big OEM item on famous brands, so they're not too pricey if you want just one. Your local bike shop likely has some they threw off new bikes for people buying their first bike on the government scheme who thought they'd look racier on drops. That's how I sourced all but one of my North Road handlebars except the one which came with n'lock setup as OEM supply. Just ask at your LBS. If you want to spend more, Humpert makes a huge selection of attractive handlebars in all the styles; I've had them on very upmarket German bikes and they're the bee's knees and very good value too, especially the stainless ones.

Note as a matter of geometry that not all the nominal rise in North Road bars is available to bring your hands higher on the grips: some of that rise is lost because the grips have to be angled somewhat downwards for the kinesthetic experience.

Good luck.

tyreon:
Since Mickegs reply I see SJS sell the Paulcomp adaptor. Good news.

Yet to gather the resolve to go for 'the change' fearing the palaver.

Is anyone thinking of bringing a joint action(criminal chargers)against this weather. Where did summer go?

jags:
lashing rain here typical irish weather. :'( :'(

anto.

Pavel:
Dang, that is one gorgeous looking bicycle!

Any word on your progress?

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