So I got this used but good as new Trek zx and I LOVE how it rides. It had cheap tanwall Amazon tires that were new but so shitty that I binned them directly.
I already had a 90's trekking steelframe built up as a dropbar bike – it never felt quite right and I assume that was because ETT was right but reach was too long. Does anyone share this experience? Its similar with this bike, ETT is 56cm which ist perfect for me but reach is 1-2cm longer than ideal.
Also I just wanted to share a pic of my bike. Happy new year!
by brakadlapa
18 Comments
Looks like it would be pretty uncomfortable with drops unless you raise them like 4 inches. Then it would just look dumb
Ima talk you out of it! The reach will likely be too long and uncomfortable.
I JUST did this on an old raleigh of mine. Those drops stayed on for a week, and are now back in the parts bin. If you want the option of more hand positions or more aero – get some good old bar ends and install them inside the bars, “crazy bars” style. That gets you the best of both worlds imo.
You would need a super short stem to keep the reach semi-reasonable, but then you’d still have to contend with a severely low stack height compared to your saddle, and the reach would still probably be longer than it is now.
You will likely want to shorten up the stem a bit and use shallow drops to keep it from being too low in the drops. If it feels about right now try and size it so that the hoods are pretty close to the same place as your flat bar grips, assuming you are going to ride mostly on hoods. I personally find myself on the hoods most of the time and I the front of the drops down steep descents and in the flat part of the drops when trying to crank uphill, but that is just me. I personally view drops as a way to give another position, not to change how I ride on flat terrain. Drops with flare are more forgiving for switching hand positions on rough terrain on a especially on rigid bike in my experience. Have fun with this project.
Ideally for a drop bar conversion, to save yourself the most headache and frustration, and money in the long run, plan this out ahead of time. Pick the right date and time that works best for you, because you need to spend a few hours at the bike shop making decisions. You want to head down to the bike shop and purchase a ’24-25 model year gravel bike on sale with drop bars like a Kona Rove. Your welcome.
And then list it for 1300$…
Just did one, currently converting it back, the geometry doesn’t fit and reach was way too far. I also did it on a Trek 7000 ZX ….
Buy a drop bar bike some of them are nice.
https://preview.redd.it/girzl5xxgxag1.jpeg?width=3024&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=db2449222b08e208d33f7ebde34a02557183b116
Talk me into a drop bar conversion too!
Don’t do a drop bar conversion please. This is a cool bike.
OK all of you, thanks for all your replies so far. You convinced me to keep it with a flat bar. I will look for a wider bar and put bar ends on the insides of the grips like it was suggested.
I already own a gravel bike and a roadbike so I am already set concerning dropbar bikes. I just like the look and feel of dropbars better than that of narrower flat bars so I’ll just look for a wider Option.
Drop bars are for losers. Conversion on good bikes to garbage spec. Did you ever notice the only people who crash bikes are wearing helmets and full “cyclist” cosplay.. on drop bars looking at the ground. I forget the idiot on IG that posted his cameras coverage and he had 3 full seconds to react… smoked a car. “Not his fault” but you would have to be trying to take me out.
Anyhow. Do it. We’ll make fun of you.
I’ve done two drop bar builds on these kinds of bikes. One a specialized and one titanium, they both absolutely sucked to ride. I swapped over to Nitto albatross or similar bars and it’s perfect. Do that. Don’t change the shifters or brake levers. Just try the bars for awhile and leave it alone.
This sounds like you’re looking for trouble
I’ve got a gold 7000 and it’s sweet. These are great bikes. I’ve got the grip bars though. The fact I have a drop bar gravel bike makes converting mine a non-starter.
Is that a dropper post?
Wald 898. Big Ben rear. Smart Sam front. Aero bar inners.
> but reach ist 1-2 cm longer than ideal
> ‘talk me into something that will make the reach longer’
I see what you did here, it’s some sneaky didactic trick to make others realise what a mistake this project would be!