Drop Handlebar
How do I convert my bike's flat bars to dropped bars?
I've asked this question a few times already and I still don't really know what to do.
This is the bike I purchased: http://www.jamisbikes.com/usa/thebikes/street/coda/09_codasport_spec.html
What would I have to do to convert this kind of bike's flat handlebars to dropped handlebars?
You certainly did answer this already. I answered the second time:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090725175125AALKxyL&r=w&pa=AptqD2bwHTHc6uiDY6A1vYG90_MHMJkF4mwBBEPiZDplHg--&paid=voted
Either you just didn't like my answer, or you didn't have much to go on since no one else answered. Either way, that's cool.
I'll give you a big reason why you haven't had much help with this previously: I doubt there's more than a handful of people here that understand exactly what goes into a drop bar conversion, and the answer is so involved that few that understand want to bother typing it all out.
I've done conversions with both STI and barcon shifters. mtlbiker's answer pretty much confirms what I said previously. I'll add two points: First, going to integrated (STI) brake/shift levers would mean replacing the front derailler to a road model, such as a Tiagra triple (FD-4503, I believe). Second, you can switch to cantilever brakes if you don't want to use travel agents.
In my previous answer, I mentioned that not all upright/flatbar bikes make the transition to drop bars well due to their geometry. Well, the geometry on the Coda should work fine. The frame angles and tube lengths are very similar to what you'd find on an older sport-tourer or a newer rando/audax bike. Not racey, but good for everything else.
So, yes you can convert. Should you? That's up to you. How? Either pay a shop to do it or invest in a few tools so you can learn to do it yourself. If you're not up to snuff with bike wrenching, it is rather involved, though.
I know you haven't had your bike long, and I don't know if you'd be able to trade for another. I've noticed that some Jamis dealers are also Kona dealers. Is your shop a Kona dealer? Kona makes this road bike that's really a cool item for people that want a drop bar road bike but have to keep the budget down:
http://www.konaworld.com/09_honkytonk_u.cfm
It has downtube shifters, so you're not paying for STI levers. But you can still upgrade the bike later on if you want to go the STI route. And who doesn't like upgrading their bike occasionally?!
If your budget was bigger, you might have looked at a Jamis Quest.
Anyhow, I'm sorry that you feel you bought the wrong bike or that you're just not liking those flat bars. I guess you'll either need to stick it out, convert it, or trade/sell it so you can get an off-the-peg road bike.
If you do convert the Coda, you can get a few dollar of your expense back by selling the bar, shifters and front derailleur. There are people that want to convert their drop bars to flat bars, too.
Good luck.
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