I want to put drop bars on my mountain bike

[kivashannaidoo]

Hello

Ok so I got a mountain and have had it for about a year, I got it because it was a pretty good deal compared to the road bikes in the price range. I have only ridden it on the road. Like forever. It's great. Got disc brakes for the wet and descents and its comfy. However the straight bar is annoying for long rides and it hurts my hands and I would like to be in a more areo position sometimes. Is it a good idea to put drops bars on it, even though I won't be replacing the levers and gears(so no hoods). So basically still mountain bike brakes but on drops? Has anyone done this and how is it? 

[Noshow]

You can't really as the bar diameters and clamp sizes are annoyingly slightly different.  There are some touring bar shapes that would work from brands like Surly and On-One but they are difficult to get in SA, which is a shame.

[droo]

The thing you're after is the Surly Corner Bar. 

 

You'll have to order online though, there's no agent in SA.

 

The other option is to see if Everyday Cycle Supply Co have anything similar.

[RobbyB]

Consider moulded hand grips that make a round bar infinitely more comfortable.

Drop bars (road bike - round shape) can also be hard on the hands (you've just got more places to move them around on to change position to provide relief). 

[peetwindhoek]

 

[Zebra]

one of the best innovations I have tried in 50+ years of cycling, is SQLabs mid-bar ends….

from a USA- based medical-led company, these mid-ends roughly replicate the ‘hoods’ on a road bike, but on a 29er MTB…

I used to do triathlons in another age, and these mid-ends allow an aero position - safely- onan MTB,and you can still ‘cover’ the brake levers WHILST using them…

that allow me 2 additional hand positions, and achieve nearly everything you seem to seek!
 

at around 80 grams for 2, theta really, really work. I use them mostly whilst road-mtb’ing, but have used them on long gravel sections, too.

try them!
chris

[MORNE]

3 hours ago, droo said:

The thing you're after is the Surly Corner Bar. 

 

You'll have to order online though, there's no agent in SA.

 

The other option is to see if Everyday Cycle Supply Co have anything similar.

David mentioned to me in passing that they are considering taking on Surly too, but it was dependant on what Surly's minimum order red tape is. Can't think they'll be too open to anything casual after the crap job those lot in Randburg did with the brand...

Here's to hoping, surly has some cool stuff.

[NickGM]

11 minutes ago, MORNE said:

David mentioned to me in passing that they are considering taking on Surly too, but it was dependant on what Surly's minimum order red tape is. Can't think they'll be too open to anything casual after the crap job those lot in Randburg did with the brand...

Here's to hoping, surly has some cool stuff.

Hey that's pretty big news!

[MORNE]

4 hours ago, kivashannaidoo said:

Hello

Ok so I got a mountain and have had it for about a year, I got it because it was a pretty good deal compared to the road bikes in the price range. I have only ridden it on the road. Like forever. It's great. Got disc brakes for the wet and descents and its comfy. However the straight bar is annoying for long rides and it hurts my hands and I would like to be in a more areo position sometimes. Is it a good idea to put drops bars on it, even though I won't be replacing the levers and gears(so no hoods). So basically still mountain bike brakes but on drops? Has anyone done this and how is it? 

the biggest problem (atleast to me) with mtb bars is also the limited sweep. they are not condusive to long days in the saddle. I had 16* backsweep bars on my mtb and it made a world of difference. it places your wrist in a more natural position than the cocked version you have on the current trend of ±800mm 9* bars.

there are a few options. SQ labs makes some nice ones (I actually still have that one in my parts bin), and Soma also makes a riser wit more backsweep (Everyday Cycle Supply mentioned above). I had some Surly sunrise bars that have 12* or something and they were also nice..but heavy.

then theres probably the holy grail for hand positions on a mtb...the Jones H bars. Gravel and tour sell them. they are pricey though...but they will take all your mtb parts.

Edited March 30, 2022 by MORNE

[MORNE]

2 minutes ago, NickGM said:

Hey that's pretty big news!

its not, don't quote me haha,  I took a stab and told David they should get surly since it's available and they have related products to the syuff he sells...and he said they are considering it lol. Maybe more ppl should push the agenda😇

Edited March 30, 2022 by MORNE

[Wayne pudding Mol]

13 hours ago, kivashannaidoo said:

Hello

Ok so I got a mountain and have had it for about a year, I got it because it was a pretty good deal compared to the road bikes in the price range. I have only ridden it on the road. Like forever. It's great. Got disc brakes for the wet and descents and its comfy. However the straight bar is annoying for long rides and it hurts my hands and I would like to be in a more areo position sometimes. Is it a good idea to put drops bars on it, even though I won't be replacing the levers and gears(so no hoods). So basically still mountain bike brakes but on drops? Has anyone done this and how is it? 

What about Jones bars  - available locally 

[100Tours]

13 hours ago, Noshow said:

You can't really as the bar diameters and clamp sizes are annoyingly slightly different.  There are some touring bar shapes that would work from brands like Surly and On-One but they are difficult to get in SA, which is a shame.

☝️This exactly. You would need new levers, and then also a new rear deraileur to make it work.