Bike Handlebars

On a bike can you change the handlebars from flatbar to dropbar?

i want to change my handlebars from flatbar to dropbar, and i was wondering if you could do that. also if you are able to change it, would i be able to get the newer type in shifters, where the brake lever is a shifter as well as a little lever underneath the brake lever. if i am able to change from flatbar to dropbar, how much would it cost?

Yes, you can do a drop bar conversion.

If you want integrated brake/shift levers (brifters), you'll need levers that match your gearing, both your rear cassette and # of chainrings.

You'll also need brakes that are compatible with the levers. Linear "V" brakes won't work; you'll either need to convert to centerpull cantilevers or use travel agents IF your bike presently uses linear brakes.

Depending on how the bike now fits you, you may find the present stem unsuitable.

You don't mention your present gearing, so it's hard to say what the cost of the conversion would be. You could probably find levers for under $200, add a bar ($25 to $75), and bar tape ($10 - 20). Cantilever brakes would run $30 and up, but so would a set of travel agents. You might also need some incidentals such as brake cable stops, barrel adjusters, etc. Without labor, you could easily find yourself in the $300-400 range.

If you went with barend shifters, you'd cut the cost a bit, but not that much overall. the shifters would run $60-100+, and then you'd still need brake levers ($25-50+). Barend shifters function nicely, but they're not for everyone. All other conversion costs would be the same.

Some people will tell you to save your money and put it toward another bike, and that's hard to argue with. But, if this conversion is for a bike you otherwise love, you can't afford another bike, and you're willing to accept that the completed project might not be exactly what you intended, then go for it. You may be extremely happy...or quite sorry.

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