So I have this thrift store 90’s DiamondBack road bike. All Shimano 105. I already have a drop bar bike and rarely get into the drops. So thinking of swapping for flat bars (and probably different brake levers). What am I looking for here?
by Trailman57
11 Comments
Bare minimum:
* Bars – has to have same clamp diameter to fit your existing stem
* Brake levers – has to have the same pull ratio as your existing brakes
* New cables
* Grips
You might be able to get away with using the existing cable housing but that depends a lot on the width of bars you choose.
For minimum swapping of parts, you can go with moustache bars and you won’t have to replace anything else. Hell, you could even reuse your cables, housing and bar tape if you really wanted to and strictly replace just the bar.
Maybe adjust those bars and brake levers. And try again before “fixing” anything?
For this frame, I’d suggest the something like the Velo Orange [Milan](https://velo-orange.com/products/vo-milano-handlebar-22-2-dia) or [Postino](https://velo-orange.com/products/vo-postino-handlebar-22-2mm?keyword=postino) bars. (As others have observed, this would involve new brake levers as well, but needn’t be fancy: either older used MTB levers or the Tektro FL-750.) Good luck!
pretty sure you can use any shimano 7-8-9 speed indexed shifters, then any avid short pull levers.
riser bars? yeah risers with a good sweep.
all should be easy to find on CL or marketplace or co-op.
Buddy you have to fix these bars before doing anything else lol
Find some friction thumb shifters in addition to bars, grips, levers, and new cables.
I would recommend Velo Orange Granola Moose or Milan handle bars and cheaper or used brake levers, you can reuse everything else, plus grips also
Here’s my recent older 2000s road bike conversion
https://preview.redd.it/2a54aag12oae1.jpeg?width=4080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=e259356b8d6067b2da85d5dbbae56eb1ebd38893
I had a DB Centurion Venture at one point, got fucked up when I got doored one time, but it had flats and a origin8 pizza rack
The pizza rack with those brakes was a bitch but worked well enough, was a super fun ride. Took it down to 1×7 or 8, been some years.
Good input everyone. 🤘🏼
yeah, for maximum front end control. that’s why they’re on mountain bikes ya know? grips, brakes, and shifters all in one spot.
so why take away the best part of flat bars by keeping down tube shifters?