Apologies if this is a stupid question (as I suspect it is).
I have a trek crossrip - like a road bike with slightly fatter wheels/tyres and drop handlebars.
Bought it a couple of years ago and it’s been a great bike and I think the shops recommendation was spot on for a practical commuting bike I can use in trails.
But I never use the drop bars and it would actually be more comfortable with mountain / hybrid bike bars for the upright position that doesn’t hurt my back on longer rides.
Can I change it or would the shop laugh at the idea and I either accept what it is or get a new bike?
Comments
Does it make practical and economic sense? No
As @drofluf has said, you'll need new brake levers, gear shifters and probably stem to avoid the geometry being ridiculous.
Even then, the geometry will be significantly different, not only will your riding position change, but stem length will alter how stable the bike feels too
Ebay mark7777_1
Work out how many gears you have and start checking compatibility, you don't have to go crazy, price wise these days. I think I spent about 80 quid, which was better than having an expensive bike sat idle.
Just remove everything, spin the bars through 180 degrees along the axis of the bike like a propeller. Then refit brakes etc..
Problem is you get a really bad angle to use the brakes and gears.
You need gear levers which are indexed for the correct number of gears, and different style brake levers.
It can seem intimidating, but I spent about an hour checking compatibility and ordering, and an hour fitting them. In fact, due to my tendon issues using MTB levers with my road bike brakes has made them vastly more powerful.
Or just don't use the drops and keep your hands on the flat bit or the hoods. I rarely use the drops on my road bike, the hoods are the comfiest place for me and less twitchy feeling than the flat bit of the bar.
You could also try some different less aggressive bars like Salsa Bell Laps, or those horrid Planet X Moustache handlebars which seem popular amongst the middle aged hipster fixie and fat bike crowd.