Oooo. Details please. I have a state single speed with bullhorns that I’ve started experimenting with gravel rides. Have been considering going to drops. But my bike knowledge is basically zero on making the conversion or picking out/installing new brake levers.
holyfrijoles80 on
So I bought a used pair of Ritchey WCS Logic II bars that came with a pair of Tektro RL340 brake levers. I had a Tektro R350 front brake, so I just bought a R350 rear brake from Amazon (I’m pretty sure there’s a difference between the front and rear calipers). I snagged some bar tape, a black seatpost, seatpost collar, stem spacers, top cap, new chain, and new brake cables and housings from the local LBS. I also ordered a shimano SF-1200 freewheel. I think really the most difficult part of the process was wrapping the handlebars and making it look nice and getting the new hoods on the levers. There are tons of YouTube vids on how to do all of it. Oh also, my Kilo TT pro has a 1” threadless steerer. It’s important to know what your steerer size is (usually 1 1/8” for newer bikes, some track bikes like Mercier Kilo TT pros still are made with 1” threadless). So the stem I got with the used handlebars is a newer 1 1/8”. I had to order a shim on Amazon to go from 1” to 1 1/8”. Not a big deal. I’m really happy with it. I wanted to get rid of as much chrome as possible. It’s nice now with a freewheel to be able to bomb hills with ease. Also, a lot of the parts for track bikes, single speed, or fixed gear are pretty inexpensive compared to MTB parts which is my main background. Make sure you do your homework before taking on the upgrades to make sure you’ve sized all the parts properly like bars and stem. Have fun with it and good luck!!
mindflipme on
Did you have any chain line issues when you flipped your rear wheel? Curious because when I flip mine from Fixed/SS, the wheel is no longer centered on the frame. Maybe it could be aligned with the right spacers?
Another_Meow_Machine on
Woo Kilo all day! My Kilo WT is a total zombie roller, love those bikes.
Had a Kilo TT before and it survived getting hit by a car.. shockingly great frames.
4 Comments
Oooo. Details please. I have a state single speed with bullhorns that I’ve started experimenting with gravel rides. Have been considering going to drops. But my bike knowledge is basically zero on making the conversion or picking out/installing new brake levers.
So I bought a used pair of Ritchey WCS Logic II bars that came with a pair of Tektro RL340 brake levers. I had a Tektro R350 front brake, so I just bought a R350 rear brake from Amazon (I’m pretty sure there’s a difference between the front and rear calipers). I snagged some bar tape, a black seatpost, seatpost collar, stem spacers, top cap, new chain, and new brake cables and housings from the local LBS. I also ordered a shimano SF-1200 freewheel. I think really the most difficult part of the process was wrapping the handlebars and making it look nice and getting the new hoods on the levers. There are tons of YouTube vids on how to do all of it. Oh also, my Kilo TT pro has a 1” threadless steerer. It’s important to know what your steerer size is (usually 1 1/8” for newer bikes, some track bikes like Mercier Kilo TT pros still are made with 1” threadless). So the stem I got with the used handlebars is a newer 1 1/8”. I had to order a shim on Amazon to go from 1” to 1 1/8”. Not a big deal. I’m really happy with it. I wanted to get rid of as much chrome as possible. It’s nice now with a freewheel to be able to bomb hills with ease. Also, a lot of the parts for track bikes, single speed, or fixed gear are pretty inexpensive compared to MTB parts which is my main background. Make sure you do your homework before taking on the upgrades to make sure you’ve sized all the parts properly like bars and stem. Have fun with it and good luck!!
Did you have any chain line issues when you flipped your rear wheel? Curious because when I flip mine from Fixed/SS, the wheel is no longer centered on the frame. Maybe it could be aligned with the right spacers?
Woo Kilo all day! My Kilo WT is a total zombie roller, love those bikes.
Had a Kilo TT before and it survived getting hit by a car.. shockingly great frames.