Drop Bar To Flat Bar Conversion On My Gravel Bike!!!! Big Mistake!?!?

I'm ditching my drop bar set up for a flat bar system on my gravel bike. Comfort and function over a traditional gravel ride.

00:00 - 00:24 Intro
00:24 - 01:10 Why I'm Dropping Drop Bars
01:10 - 03:35 New For Old Parts
03:35 - 06:17 The Parts Swap Montage
06:17 - 07:31 After Math
07:31 - 09:05 Final Thoughts

[EdwardFagan]

I couldn't agree with you more, Bruce, concerning the comfort and practicality of flat bars. More than six years ago I came to the same conclusion and made the switch; and I have no regrets. Ever since then, my riding has been filled with nothing but joy and confidence. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[billydeewilliams]

I recently swapped my 2022 Trek Checkpoint ALR to a flat bar. Started with the stock Bontrager drops, switched to the Curve Remlaw, which is, as the marketing materials say, the flat bar for drop bar bikes. It doesn't greatly effect the aggressive position over the head tube (particularly after I lengthened the stem from 90 to 130 to account for the difference in 'reach' between the bars), which isn't what I was looking for. I just really don't ever know where to put my hands on drop bars, and no position is particularly comfortable, and I love the new Ergon GA3. I also vastly prefer flat bar levers to drop bar brifters (goes double for the goofy dropper lever they gave me for the drops, lol).

I swapped out the stock GRX groupset for a full SRAM GX 1x12 groupset, 32t front, 10-50t rear. I almost never used the top like three gears of the GRX, but I might yet get a bigger chain ring. Got Hope RX4+ flat mount calipers front and rear, attached to Shimano SLX levers. Too bad the max rotor size is 160, which hugely limits the braking power even with a 4 piston gravel caliper.

My suspension stem (120; my 130 Salsa stem was maybe a tad long) just arrived today, hugely looking forward to trying it out, and the bar needs cutting down to about 770 from 800. But generally, so far, the change has been a dream. The Checkpoint was already one of my favorite bikes, and now it's definitely second to none except my e-bike.

Once my brand new Mezcal 44mm wear out, I'm going to get a ZIPP XPLR wheelset so I can put some real MTB tires on there. I was thinking about getting a gravel fork, but honestly (and aside from the expense) that would make the bike too similar to my XC/trail HT, and with the suspension stem and cush core front and rear, there's no point.

[edgarf]

Salute you for being bold and creative. A bike fit and comfort matters the most for me. Kudos to you for remaking "A brand new bike". Appreciate the sights and scenery in your video. Please keep on riding 😀☀️🚲🚲🚲

[imstillhereileft]

I took the centennial at willow springs to I’m canal all the way to rockdale, great ride, thanks for the video

[snappanduaksara]

Nice sharing...by using rise type of flat bar also will increase comfort significantly, my 2cents

[gcb]

As far as I know you don't have to exchange the brake calipers or the rear mech. GRX rear mech should work with Deore shifter and 105 brake calipers with Deore / Deore XT brake handles. Shimano group items are pretty compatible with each other.

[stevestevoh]

Nice vid, great workshop setup, so I'm looking at changing out to flat bar on my gravel bike purely because I never use the the drop features and mostly ride mtb, seems straight forward the only thing I can't nail down is what width I should go for or is it not so important, happy to hear your thoughts.
TIA👍

[mokotramp]

That front brake conversion looks awful!

I get why you've done it though. The biggest reasons I'd convert mine is cost and braking power! So much cheaper buying spares for MTB, and the brakes on gravel bikes are pretty crap in general!

[TenFalconsMusic]

Just once I'd like to see a conversion that doesn't involve using a.flat-bar that's longer than a flag pole.

I guess some people just prefer having the steering capabilities (and width) of an oil tanker.

[ADuran-jkuz]

I hadn't ridden since I was a teenager. Back then.., I rode drops. I've come to find I ride 90% of the time on the hoods. That being the case.., WTF stay w/ drops?

W/ this all said.., I want a Trek FX Sport 6. To some, that's a bit much for a part time joy ride toy. W/ other things happening.., it will be a while before I can get it.., & I do not like waiting on $#!+.., so..,

I am converting a 2017 Revolt 1 to flat bar.

1. I figure the hybrid brake system will break sooner or later.., & when it does.., it needs to be converted to full hydraulic...,
2. I just fell down some stairs, so I'm not (more) likely to use the drops more now..,
3. I just turned 54.., so, yeah..., that smoke from memories of old.., it's cleared, & given me a strong "feeling" that drops aren't for me.

*Matching trigger shifters to bottom equipment.., hydraulic brake levers.., new ergo-grips w/ "horns".., (for when I want to feel like I want to ride hoods, or drops).., a tune to make it all shift good.., plust tax = just under $500.

I think it's a cheap way to "find out" if a flat bar gravel bike is a thing for me.

[mgpBLARG]

Uh oh... can I not swap my microshift advent x drop bar shifter to an advent x mountain bike shifter without an entirely different derailer???

[xtwrk]

Stem is way too short.That is gonna be sooo twitchy