Bontrager Race OR

[Prodigal Son]

Thought I'd have a try at the drop bar thing on this, think it might need a stem with slightly less reach but I'll give it a go and see what I think. View attachment 612934View attachment 612935

If that fork has adjustable brake bosses you could have a 27.5in wheel up front and that would be really really interesting.

 

[benjabbi]

If that fork has adjustable brake bosses you could have a 27.5in wheel up front and that would be really really interesting.

Unfortunately they are bonded and riveted so I can't try that.
Ridden it to work this morning and it will be going back to flat bars when I get home, I don't know if it's just these particular bars but it's just not comfortable for me.

 

[maxhc]

Fantastic !!!

 

[frkl]

Unfortunately they are bonded and riveted so I can't try that.
Ridden it to work this morning and it will be going back to flat bars when I get home, I don't know if it's just these particular bars but it's just not comfortable for me. View attachment 613029

I think a Cunningham style LD stem would be a better aesthetic and perhaps functional fit. If you want to stay with drops...

But great looking build. Some bikes work better with DB conversion than others, and the short head tube makes me think this one might not really be a great candidate, esp if you have back or neck issues--i think I read that in the thread somewhere, sorry if I'm wrong.

 

[benjabbi]

@frkl I think you're right, if I was to persevere I'd go with a higher 70mm reach LD style stem, it would definitely look better and the position would be better suited. It's a bit stretched at the moment and the shorter stem would sort that. Ultimately though it's the angle my wrists are forced into that I find uncomfortable, I could mess around with different bars but I think it's probably best to just go back to flats.

 

[pw_pw_la]

Worth giving a try tho! Good on ya Ben!

 

[benjabbi]

@pw_pw_la cheers Phil, I've had the bars and shifters lurking about for years and the stem was £8 so a cheap experiment.
Not for me in the end though.

 

[benjabbi]

Back to sensible bars and thanks to Rich @mr_ship a nice XT seatpost to match the rest of the groupset. Also at some point fitted a King headset I had lurking about, seemed like the right bike for it.
I still think this is the favourite of my Bontragers, it gets ridden more than any other bike at the moment, just a pleasure to get out on!

 

[frkl]

Back to sensible bars and thanks to Rich @mr_ship a nice XT seatpost to match the rest of the groupset. Also at some point fitted a King headset I had lurking about, seemed like the right bike for it.
I still think this is the favourite of my Bontragers, it gets ridden more than any other bike at the moment, just a pleasure to get out on! View attachment 616297View attachment 616298View attachment 616299

Looks great. The flat bars work better with the frame, i think. Good choice but glad you tried the drops!

 

[benjabbi]

Thanks @frkl It was worth a try, much better for me like this though.