Road Bike Drop Bars To Flat Bar Conversion

I show how to convert a road bike from drop bars to flat bar handlebars. The conversion also includes going from downtube shifters to handlebar mounted mountain bike type trigger shifters.
Shimano Downtube Cable Stops (concave mount)
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...
Shimano Downtube Cable Stops (flat mount)
www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...
Shimano EF51 video:
• Shimano ST EF51 Shifte...
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[@RJTheBikeGuy]

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[@advmotorrad]

I did 👍

[@advmotorrad]

Can you please make a video on bearings? From difrent bicycle maker who use what? I mean what gaint used in there bicycles ? And what bianchi used in their bicycles? Whats the difrence betwen qualities

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

@@advmotorrad Most bikes use grade 25 bearings, but in different sizes and configurations. You just have to pull out the bearings, measure them or match them and replace them.

[@advmotorrad]

@@RJTheBikeGuy thanks 👍

[@ognjenfiraunovic8724]

@@RJTheBikeGuy hey RJ is there any chance that v brake levers could work with caliper brakes? I want to buy new levers but here they are only seling v brakes but I don't have mounts for them so I need standard caliper brakes. Please respond❤️

[@juliewalls5804]

Hugely awesome! R.J. I love learning how to fix these bikes, it isn't brain surgery BUT when you don't know how to do these things mistakes are made and it is kind of maddening. However when someone does this stuff in front of you in videos that you can see and pause and rewatch it really is super helpful. Thank you so much!!

[@djsickmick]

I wasn't looking for such an involved conversion but I"m glad that I found this video. I've learned from you that it is easy to adjust shifters and brakes from watching your demo. I've maintained my bikes using the adjustments that you've shown but have been reluctant until now to replace cables. Thanks so much!

[@AWriterWandering]

“Hey viewers, today I’m going to show you how to defuse this bomb. Okay, to start we’re going to cut these old cables..”

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Lol.

[@estudiordl]

🤣 literally i just spit some coffee...

[@coldramentpm1013]

just about the same level of complexity

[@kayzinti4452]

This Bike is a Pipe Bomb! kzbin.info/www/bejne/r3bGf6N4q8p2oLc

[@edwardzx7]

He ll cut the hell out of some cables!!! Good video though!

[@johnbaca8692]

I've done many, many drop bar to flat or riser bar conversions on various road bikes. I don't like using drop bars on my bikes. I have never had a problem with V-brake levers actuating the road brakes. They work well, give good feel, and are more readily available in my area. I've also not had a problem using mountain bike shifters on the road bike derailleurs. The shifting is quick and accurate. That's one good looking bike! I would have used a polished handlebar to match the other polished components. I don't mind sanding/polishing off the matte anodizing on handlebars (especially if they are already marked and scratched up) If I don't have one in stock. Good enjoyable video, thanks.

[@jetmirsadiku5851]

@John Baca I have a Btwin Triban 500 and i want to do the flat bar conversion...is it going to work if i change only the handle bar and 3x8 shifters( with integrated vbrake levers) ? Or do i have to change also the front and rear derailleurs? Thank you in advance!

[@lucianonarno1408]

Finally done watching. I really like these long videos you put out every once in a while. As soon as I get my new bike I will do this conversion to my current vintage road bike for city commuting and fit wider tires. Thanks for the great bike content, keep it up!

[@minhtoi]

One thing to remember when sizing the front brake housing length is to make sure it is long enough for the entire length of quill stem adjustment (ie, tallest setting) AND that you can totally remove the quill stem without removing the brake to overhaul the headset. If you just size for the current stem position you can make the cable too short. Having to worry about this (and thus make the housing longer) is an issue one really needs to keep in mind if they're use to threadless stems and headsets -- which allows removing the handle bar even with a short brake cable. [You can guess I speak from experience on this... :-/]

[@MaxCJennings]

Love your videos man, keep up the work, I'm 15 and now know how to completely renew a vintage bike thanks to you and a few others😁

[@ljaysperspective1775]

Good vid, very detailed. Im currently doing alot of catching up while watching ur vids. In my youth and during my early 20s i did alot of biking and fiddling. Im currently in my late 40s and i was doing alot more RC related hobbies but i switched bac over to a hybrid that was purchased/upgrading and ur vids are helping. The info is very clear and concise never a bore, lots of good insight. Thx for sharing👍

[@paulmarkowski9794]

Thanks for making this- 33 minutes for you may equate to 33 hours for me- but with this info., it is definitely doable. The how to- part was excellent but also the parts compatibility info. was very helpful.

[@ForbinColossus]

@20:32 Thanks for showing the chain overshift and push off the chainring. Too many bike mechanics only show perfect results - less to learn that way. Thx!

[@earthkwaque]

I just did this to a 2006 Trek 1500 (3x9 Shimano 105 drivetrain) using your video as the primary guide. Very very helpful. Thanks! I used Shimano ST-EF65 combo shift/brake levers and a Shimano Deore (FD-M591-6) front derailleur. Everything was super easy except adjusting the front derailleurs (had to watch a few other videos to really understand all the relevant adjustment points). Finally got it shifting smoothly after an hour of try and error.

[@adamgarza9153]

Did you change the rear derailleur

[@InsanercYT]

@@adamgarza9153 he doesn’t need to

[@birthaappleshirt7404]

For anyone doing this I recommend you get the shamano Claris shifters and break levers there made specifically for road bikes and worked great for me

[@hKBFC90]

I know I'm a bit late here but this was awesome to see, I wanted to get a flat bar road bike because I wasn't sure if I wanted to be trapped in an aggressive position such as the drop bar gives you. but now that I see you can interchange bars I can switch it up when I feel like it without too much struggle. Thank you for this video was slow enough that I could follow along without getting lost or frustrated!!!

[@boba6776]

Very well detailed video. I am looking into changing the drop handlebars to flat bar handle bars on my daughter's old Schwinn Caliente bike for my use and your video has the detail I need to get the job done. Thanks so much! Bob

[@sitflyer2661]

I recently picked up an old Trek 370 and was thinking about converting to flat bars, this info loaded vid gave me the confidence to tackle the conversion and on Tuesday I will be seeing my bike shop guy to work up a parts list, I'm also going to get a longer stem so I can raise the bars a couple inches for a more comfortable riding position. My neighborhood has a 1 Km loop with minimal inclines so this conversion should get me a nice track bike that my not as young as it used to be body can maximize my riding time on ithe bike. Thanks a million for this vid, you have excellent content on your channel.

[@zakdk1]

R.J. glad you posted this, I plan on doing this conversion in the near future! Thanks.

[@LeSiZmOr]

Always good stuff RJ. Been wrenching on bikes for about 25 years. Shop rat back in the late 90s.. now indie. Love your perspective and teaching skills. Very good sir.

[@JAMaxeRestoration]

You completely changed the look of the bike but never showed a few good shots af the entire bike? I still liked the video.

[@RhysoTV]

Brilliant, I just decided to make this conversion recently and wasn't sure how to go about it. Thanks!

[@Prizzly92]

I've done this conversion on two bikes. It turns an old road bike in to a nice commuter or everyday bike with an upright seating position. fast rolling and pretty light.

[@tonyhall395]

You’re a Genius, great video and I can now change mine with you as a reference. Thank you.

[@RyansGuitars]

Bubba’s grown up so fast!!!

[@sbrown1953]

I want to change the drop bars on my Giant OCR 3 road bike to flat bars, as I'm old and just like to sit more upright. This video how-to will be a real help, thanks!

[@TheCaoimhin2]

Thanks. This is a really good video - great camera work with clear views of what you're doing. Clear explanations. Really good. Thanks.

[@fbollaert]

really interesting - good nice pace to go through a lot of different topics !

[@yeokcmark]

I'm new to cycling and am learning so much from your videos. Thank you

[@chrispools]

So glad you put the link in for the Downtube cable stops. I couldnt for the life of me think what theyt were called. I am doing the same thing on an old peugeot bike myself.

[@evelynpagan6762]

You make it all look so easy! Me being a newbie working on bikes takes like a whole day to do what you just did. Lol I enjoy your videos you explain everything so well.

[@richardmeyer5518]

Thank you. Excellent tutorial to get me past my initial mistakes.

[@woodsmanlast4364]

Alot like my own bike work Ive been doin! very helpful, Thats awesome. Thank you!

[@JogieGlenMait16]

oh yeah. this is so satisfying to watch. been dying to do this conversion but i don't have a road bike.

[@richardmeyer5518]

Great info. Thank you. My winter now has a project...

[@PAUL-yv2kk]

Excellent tutorial..absolutely invaluable to us inexperienced people. Many thanks

[@happyduck70]

Great! I really want to do this in the future, cool that there's a vid on this now

[@1dd434]

Awesome video. You gave me ideas for some projects. Enjoyed all your videos.

[@paulpaz4546]

Inspiring me to build my own, thank you for sharing

[@bryanslife7229]

I love your videos you are very well with Explaining things other videos are hard to understand how they're doing it yours are awesome Thank you

[@mikedkc]

Love it. Exactly the tutorial I needed. Thank you!

[@Sertao2013]

Most people like to be able to adjust the handle bar height . The slack you allowed for the cables would only allow you to lower the handle bar . If you try to raise it up the cables are going to be to short . You should always raise the handle bar to the max line that's on the stem and size your lines in that position . Its always better to be able to adjust the handle bar height to its max instead of limiting the height by cutting them to short . So the next time you go to measure your cuts raise the stem to its max . You will have a lot of happy customers that way . There is nothing worse than to have some guy cut the lines so short the customer cant raise up the handle bars to the max height if they want to .

[@daz147]

love your double garage... loads of room.

[@tantsits77]

Very Informative. I am looking to change out my drop bars to Jones H-Loop bars, so this gave me some points to thinks about. Thanks!

[@run_cycle_life4005]

Enjoy your videos, I'm learning a lot, thanks.

[@bee_jack]

Thanks, this video will help me a lot for my bar conversion !

[@zakdk1]

Love your videos , keep up the work, now know how to completely renew a vintage bike thanks

[@1uniqueislander968]

Great video and information RJ 👍👍, Thank you for that awesome tutorial. I have a 81 Miyata 1000 for touring and want to do the same conversion. I feel more comfortable with this shifter/brake set up and flat bar when bicycle traveling.

[@mr.vokits8757]

This was a huge help! Thanks!

[@Elvis68spec]

You are a very good old School Bike Mechanic! 🚴‍♀️😎👍🇺🇸

[@cedavelja6120]

Thanks a lot. Greetings from Serbia.

[@ricmacphedear1436]

always good stuff thanks for sharing you knowledge

[@richlijacanacua]

Thank you for the demonstrations by converting roadbike into mountainbike set-up. It is a big idea to learn. For me, I am used to ride my Mountain bike, but I turn it to a Gravel Bike. 32:46 I love the Dropbar set-up. It is comfortable to drive and equally balance to ride. It is easy to to pass the traffic and run fast as well. I love my Gravel bike set-up.

[@rogermoore5761]

Thanks for the video. I converted my Cannondale Topstone 2 to flat bars a couple of weeks ago. New shifters and brake levers. It suits me better with the drop bars total conversation about £200 GBP

[@bobp.dziadaszek5695]

Very good, I learn quite a bit from you thanks.

[@fjp3305]

Great video. This is what I want to do to my road bike.

[@KG-jr8lc]

i would totally buy this bike ! looking foward to get one like this

[@nelsonparra3797]

As always extremely informative. I have a 1984 Raleigh Team USA bike with the same factory set up that I want to convert to flat bar. This will be a huge help. Thanks.

[@richardfabrizio8998]

Nice job as usual RJ

[@petanders1968]

RJ that vid was very enjoyable and i like your style of delivery, i might try the same conversion on one of my old road bikes soon, ATB Pete

[@carraplaps]

this was very useful, thanks!

[@maratdvtd4965]

It's been two days and I see you're still working on my bike

[@jackryan152]

great video Im looking forward to building a flat bar gravel bike out of an old road bike. You videos are very detailed and explain your topics well

[@dugldoo]

RJ doesn't talk much about tire size with his conversions. Old road bikes are often limited to 28mm or 30mm unless they have touring geometry. Gravel bikes need at least 32mm, but more is much better.

[@beddyboy]

Thanks got confidence to try it myself now.

[@Dutcharmytent]

Have subscribed, everything I wanted to know you covered. Great filming and narration.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Awesome, thank you!

[@TheDudeMan240]

Looks awesome man, I'm getting ready to do this to a commuter

[@asdfkie]

TheDudeMan hopefully you don’t get arrested for violating him

[@nousavonsable]

very instructive for me mister! thanks!!

[@terryarnold6630]

love the video man. thanks for sharing

[@eddiealexander2485]

nice video. will help me greatly on my cannodale conversion.

[@racerx8335]

awesome job and looks great

[@MrsHealyM]

Nice and tidy frame, good find

[@subjecttochrist]

very nice! thinking about converting my drop bar adventure bike, to a flat bar/trekking handlebar! trying to see how the gear/brake adjustments would work... looks like i need some cable cutting tools and some extra cable housing and some of those end caps for the brake lines! great video, and nice bike! super cool!

[@WillieWillBK]

Came out great RJ! Nice!

[@WillieWillBK]

And then I used the instructions here to do roughy the same on an old Schwinn Voyageur 11.8. (kept the downtube shifters for now). Also came out great for me. Thanks for the video!

[@Bikeops2021]

Great video RJ

[@ubernerrd]

Bike looks great. Almost makes me want to go buy another road bike and convert it.

[@mgmdsc]

Nice job. A lot of good basic information.

[@gregsgarage1465]

Great video! I have learned a lot of useful tips from you! Thumbs up! :)

[@joshgreen3528]

Very useful. I'm going to change out my old RB1 now.

[@RJTheBikeGuy]

Go for it!

[@Carlos-the-cyclist]

Nice video but since I don't have any bikes with drop bars to convert i won't be doing this but still got some useful information

[@steve_22xy]

nice video. i just did this conversion but used wald tourist type riser bars with tektro cross brake levers. whereas RJ removed the downtube shifters and replaced them with combination brake/shifter levers, i left the downtube shifters alone. i was able to reuse the cable housing, just needed to shorten it a bit, and just used some new brake cables, because the brake cable head is changed from road to mtb type. the original drop bars had me leaning too far forward and uncomfortable. now i have a nicer riding position for commuting and for seeing traffic

[@vingitalia5823]

Awesome job 👏believe it or not it's exactly what I want to do to my Caad12

[@cebuanostud]

thanks a lot! your videos are very helpful, i really appreciate your work and i'm glad i found your channel. subbed.

[@davewyman]

cebuanostud y

[@walterlast19]

Very informative video, thank you very much

[@mpetrasin]

Great job! Keep it up.

[@weswo1f]

Loved the video!

[@haralaboslukatos6734]

is looks very good. Nice job you do always.

[@leslie7872]

thank you. im in the same postion. i have an old bike with the shifter on the down tube and the drop bars are so uncomrtable . will be doin g a restomod

[@suruat1963]

Very Nice RJ, I have a bike w/ the same color!

[@bryankemp7159]

Thanks Great video, subbed

[@dereism4478]

One trick for making the removal of a bar from a quill stem easier is to unscrew the clamp bolt far enough so that you can fit a penny in the gap. Then tighten the bolt back against the penny-which now obstructs the bolt hole-so that the clamp expands, rather than contracts, as the clamp bolt is tightened.

[@Prizzly92]

smart, i've done the same thing when i had to spread out a seatpost clamp. the previous owner had used a smaller seatpost.

[@bishplis7226]

but the old stems dont have thread in there, thats why theres a nut on the other side

[@bishplis7226]

a flat screwdriver works all the time

[@beddyboy]

Thanks for this little gem. never thought of it b4.

[@MrThatnativeguy]

Good tip but that doesn’t always work , a lot of quill stems are only threaded on one side of the clamp

[@advmotorrad]

Thank you so much its very helpful

[@Mr.Sheffield75]

Those cable stops are cool

[@amelb6533]

perfect for my comuting and wheelies (for me)

[@vergeled7194]

I like the part of cable cutting!

[@birthaappleshirt7404]

Looks nice 👍🏻

[@tupeaioane8793]

Great video boss thank you

[@van_demonium]

built a similar bike out of an 82 datel. put some hybrid tires on it. its been awesome for the local gravel/tar rail trail and crap city streets around here.

[@TheDatadump]

Great product

[@richardbryanesq]

Thanks so much!

[@SpaceXfG]

I'm gonna convert my late 90s LOOK road race bike from drop to flat bar, too. Maybe install some wider tires as well so it's more useful for in-town cycling. Your tutorial was very helpful, thank you!

[@dugldoo]

Your chain stays limit tire size. RJ's look like 28mm; 30 might fit. Touring frames of this era allow 32, maybe more.

[@brianbaldino3496]

I did the same thing to my old hybrid, went from low rise to flat handle bar with 5 degree back sweep. Also added bar ends, it's good so far but need to ride it more to know if I like this conversion.

[@AbuGrabIt]

Great video and great voice.