Re: Bars & Stems

Simon Brooke

in message <igp.1h88ry@no-mx.forums.cyclingforums.com>, igp
('igp.1h88ry@no-mx.forums.cyclingforums.com') wrote:

>
> Hi All,
> I'm in the process of changing my flat bar road bike into a drop bar
> bike and need a little advice. I've recently bought a used set of
> shimano sora combined shifters for the job and would like to change
> them over myself. A few questions that I need answered before I buy
> anything else are
>
> 1. Existing bars are 25.4mm must the new drops be exaxtly 25.4mm.

Err... no. Drop bars are a different standard diameter to straight bars,
for some arcane reason. I think the thick bit in the centre where the
stem grips is the same, but to be honest I'm not really sure of this.
You may need to use a shim.

> 2. Existing stem is 90mm from centre of riser to centre of bars is
> this an appropriate length for drop bars.

Depends how big you are. However, if it works with straights, it's
likely to be there or thereabouts with drops. You _might_ need a
shorter one.

> 3. Bar width Is there an easy way to determine correct width.

The metric usually given is 'the width of your shoulders'. Wider may be
better if you do a lot of climbing.

> 4. What type of bar tape is recommended.

I like leather best but it's hard to come by these days. Cork is good.

> 5. I'm pressuming that I will need new cables.

Probably.

> Any other advice would also be much appreciated

If anyone else give you different advice from the above, take it. I'm
still half asleep.

--
simon@jasmine.org.uk (Simon Brooke) http://www.jasmine.org.uk/~simon/

;; Usenet: like distance learning without the learning.

Pete Biggs

Simon Brooke wrote:

>> 1. Existing bars are 25.4mm must the new drops be exaxtly 25.4mm.
>
> Err... no. Drop bars are a different standard diameter to straight
> bars, for some arcane reason. I think the thick bit in the centre
> where the stem grips is the same, but to be honest I'm not really
> sure of this.

They used to be the same, and some cheap or unusual drop bars are still
25.4 mm at the central collar/bulge, but most drops available in the UK
are at least 25.8 now. Most 3T and ITM non-"oversized" are 25.8, Cinelli,
Deda and most others are 26.0. The oversize ones are much larger still
and definitely need a matching stem.

~PB