#94 in Sports & Outdoors
Use arrows to jump to the previous/next product
Reddit mentions of Origin8 Drop Ends
Sentiment score: 14
Reddit mentions: 43
We found 43 Reddit mentions of Origin8 Drop Ends. Here are the top ones.
Buying options
View on Amazon.comor
- 6061-T6 ergo bent alloy
- Bead blast finish
- Turns a flat bar into an ergonomic drop bar
- 22.2mm clamp size
- 250g pair
Features:
Specs:
Color | Black |
Height | 6 Inches |
Length | 6 Inches |
Number of items | 1 |
Weight | 0.51 Pounds |
Width | 2 Inches |
If you want an inexpensive alternative, you could try putting some different bar ends on your handlebars to give you some different riding positions.
Here's some that mimic the drop-bar style, and would probably give you a good idea if that style would be right for you.
I agree with all of that.
I would just add that bar ends are an economical option for adding more hand placement options to an MTB, without having to swap handlebars/shifters/brake levers.
Most people would opt for a standard bar ends to give you that on-the-hoods/bullhorn hand position. Add a cheap set of foam grips, and install these angled up so that your wrist is straight when riding.
If you want the feel of riding down in the drops, then there are also drop bar ends available. These will require grip tape, and should be installed flat or angled very slightly up.
http://www.amazon.com/Origin-Bicycle-Drop-Ends-Black/dp/B0013G6PB8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370531491&sr=8-1&keywords=drop+bar+ends
I used these while I was trying to put drops on flats. I eventually just ended up putting actual drop bars on, but these work rather well and are very comfortable.
Origin 8 makes drop bar ends, kinda like traditional MTB bar ends.
So /r/bikewrench and /r/bicycling are much more active sub-reddits that you may see more attention on, but I can try to help you out here.
Switching the bars could require a few things:
Stem Size and by extension handlebar size: the Escape has a stem made for 31.8mm diameter handlebars with pretty large bars actually. Most drop bars you find will be 25.4mm at the stem and 23.8mm everywhere else. Any discrepancy can be an easy fix with some shims (either bought or made). It is also possible (according to Sheldon Brown) that your current bars may have very similar sizing to standard drop bars. The stem may also need to be shortened or lengthened to comfortably accommodate for the new handlebars and riding positions.
Braking: As you may or may not have noticed most drop bars come with brake levers that allow you to access the levers while riding on the drops. This is important because it allows you more leverage at the moments when you are going the fastest. Check out this image stolen from 'Lovley Bike' that shows the typical 'breaking on the drops' position.
While it is not necessary to have these brakes and the 'hoods' that accompany them it is an excellent idea and gives more hand positions! Alternatively it is possible to use levers only on the flats of the drop bars (but not the ones you currently have may need the aforementioned shims).
Shifting!
I see the Escape has Shimano M310 trigger shifters. Those also may have to go. They, like the brakes, can be mounted on the flats of the bar but it is only very low end bikes that do this to their riders. There are an ungodly number of ways to incorporate shifting on a bike with drop bars. You can integrate them into the brakes with STI's, stick them on the end of the bars with Bar End Shifters, Get them onto the stem like many vintage bikes Stem Shifters or get them on the down-tube for a classic look Down Tube Shifters...
That aside the only real options up there that you have for a conversion are Bar-end or "Brifters" Brake/Shifters...reusing your old ones could work but it would be inelegant.
Geometry MOST IMPORTANTLY! Your bike was designed to be ridden upright, the stem, top tube, every inch of the bike assumes the rider is using flat bars. There is no telling really what the ride will 'feel' like after you start riding on the hoods/drops. Its not as bad as most hybrids with front suspension but I could not tell you anything about how it might feel once the swap is made.
For moving forward I see a few options
Option 1 Quick and Dirty Get some drop bars and some old cans. Strip your current bars of components and install the drops(don't forget shims), If sheldon is correct about the size of over-sized road bikes all your old components should slide onto the flat part of the drops and just fit. It would be a unique way to ride but mostly functional...Personally I would have concerns about how safe it would be.
Option 2 More hand positions!
If what you want is more hand positions don't overlook bar end attachments:
Bar end attachments
Orgin 8 might actually have the answer to your prayers: Bolt On Drops
Option 3 Dress her like a roadie
Trying to make your hybrid into a road bike is usually not the right way to go but...with $10-30 for bars, and $100 for Shifters and Brakes, plus $10-20 for complete re-cabling across the bike (MTB and Road bikes use different cable ends) and of course labor if you aren't that handy. Tack on $10 for bar-tape to make her pretty and comfortable and you aren't that far in the hole.
You don't get off any easier for Bar Ends once you get the appropriate brakes its about the same. All that and your former hybrid could pass any scrutinizing test of a lycra-clad cyclist, you'd have yourself a certified road-bike. No promises on comfort!
This is just a vague indication though! For a real in-depth price assessment and Q&A please visit your local bike store
For my $00.02...Don't bother trying to convert them. Ride the bike you have the way it was intended to be ridden. If after a while you still feel like its lacking, throw on some bar ends for more hand positions, Still feel like its lacking? Go test-ride some road bikes to see if riding on the drops is right for you. I'm not talking about a test ride around the parking lot either! No less then 3 miles on that sucker, get a real feel for it. Love it!? Sell the Escape and do a TON of research into inexpensive road bikes. They are out there waiting for ya.
Origin 8 makes clip-on drop bar ends that might suit your needs without having to mess with your shifters or brakes.- and they're only $15.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0013G6PB8
20 bucks, plus you'll want some bar tape.
If you want to brake and shift from the drops, at least 300 more and it'll still suck.
Edit: Also consider clip-on aero bars. You can't brake from those anyway. Otherwise if you want a road bike with drops, sell the one you have (or not - n+1 and all that) and get a caad10 ;)
Before you go "all in" and spend silly money to do this conversion, why don't you try something like "clamp on drops", or possibly some of the more radical "trekking bars"?
I think even after you spend all that money to convert this upright bike to drops, you'll ultimately be disappointed in the result. It just doesn't have the geometries that make your CX bike "fun".
Putting on actual drop bars would get expensive, you'd need new shifters and brake levers (if the bike has hydraulic brakes you can forget about it). Not to mention, MTB geometry really isn't set up for drops.
You could however add something like Origin 8 drop ends
Best option would be skinnier more road like tires like Schwalbe Marathons or similar, and a rigid fork to help reduce weight up front. Then it would be a halfway decent flat bar bike.
These might be Origin8 Drop Ends from Amazon (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013G6PB8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_image_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1). I installed these on my raleigh cadent 1 hybrid and it's great! Offers similar feel to standard drop handlebars without the hassle of actually converting.
You will need new brakes as well because the Tourney brifters won't pull V-Brakes enough for them to stop. I personally don't recommend that he go this route.
The better route might be:
You may not be able to shift from the hood or drops, but you'll have more hand positions.
there's always this option too. $500 vs $20, can't hurt to try.
This is what I suggest to people when they ask this question. Doing a true drop bar conversion will likely be too expensive to be practical. You had might as well either get some bar-ends like these or just save up for a different bike.
You could get bar end drops instead of changing out your handlebars completely.
I have (nearly) the same bike as you (7.4 Firebrand) and ride mine for the same purposes. Lately I've been training for a charity ride and got a pair of these for cheap on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Origin8-33617-Drop-Ends/dp/B0013G6PB8
The only rub is that you have to also buy adapters for the IsoZone grips so the drop bar ends will fit (~$5). I also got some cork tape from the same company for relatively cheap, altogether making it much cheaper than buying whole new handlebars and shifters.
Also, if you're getting into more fitness riding/training, I couldn't recommend clipless pedals and MTB shoes enough. They've helped with my rides tremendously!
the thumb shifter won't work on drops. flat bar clamp section is 22.2mm, drop bar clamp section is 23.8
You can make it work with the sora STI shifter you listed, the cheaper alternative is the microshift stuff you can buy on ebay (I'd go with second hand shimano stuff though)
Then you'd need new cables
Of course the easier option is to just get bar ends, you can even get drop bar bar ends
Because your shifters won't likely be compatible. I've asked the same thing before.
These are in my wish list but I don't know how good they are, https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0013G6PB8/ref=aw_wl_ov_dp_1_2?colid=39RF70MNEX2EY&coliid=I3G3NKESNEV642
Butt you might want to look into buying a road bike. You can get a low end bike starting at 600.
I found these! But they have been noted to be uncomfortable and small on a 7.3 fx.
For the lazy.
http://www.amazon.com/Origin-Bicycle-Drop-Ends-Black/dp/B0013G6PB8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1342743214&sr=8-3&keywords=bike+bar+ends
Haha yep! Origin8 makes em. http://www.amazon.com/Origin8-33617-Drop-Ends/dp/B0013G6PB8
If you can slip something on the existing bars these might work for you:
Origin8 Drop Ends https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013G6PB8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_KvgSDbG502Q1F
This get's brought up all the time and I've done extensive research on the topic when I had a Sirrus that wasn't getting the job done anymore. Yeah...don't do this. It's physically feasible but not advised for a bunch of reasons. In terms of your hands going numb, you need a fit. I'm guessing your arms are totally locked out when you're riding leading to the numbness. You'll get more out of the bike from a proper fit than you would trying to convert it to drop bars.
If you really want to keep your bike and not go full drop bars, grab bar ends like these and retape your bars. You won't have access to your brakes from the drops which is obviously a very huge downside of this plan so be careful if you do.
Another option is fit a flat bar and install some drop bar ends
The only downside is there is no braking from the drops.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Venzo-Road-Bicycle-Bike-Adapter-Handlebar-Flat-Bar-to-Drop-Bar-Ends/162916437340?hash=item25ee938d5c:g:I4wAAOSwepNdJlz3
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/handlebars/jtek-superlight-drop-bar-bar-ends-black/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Origin-33617-Origin8-Drop-Ends/dp/B0013G6PB8
i have a hybrid and just recently added drop bars. it cost a little over $30 and you can find all the materials off of amazon.
link for the dropbars
grip tape
I agree. If he wants to try drop bar geometry on the bike he could try these and adjust/replace the stem. Maybe cut the bars after placement. Wouldn't need to invest in shifters/brakes/brifters to try the fit. Definitely cheaper way to try the geometry change.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013G6PB8/ comes close for cheap
Yeah, I had to do another google search because I was confused. Here they are on amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Origin-Bicycle-Drop-Ends-Black/dp/B0013G6PB8
Are these the bars?
I wondered about this too when I had the same bike, but you have to realize that you will be using it a radically different purpose than the frame was intended. That isn't just fluff. The geometry is very different. As much as I liked to think so, the 7.2 is not really a flat-bar road bike. the geometry is much more upright.
Sure, you can use your corvette to haul a trailer, but that is really not what it was designed for. If you see what I mean.
Now, I personally think it would look like ass, but you can install something like these bar ends
I wrote a more detailed reply below about what you'll need if you want to do this.
Origin 8 recently released some bolt on drop bars for hybrids.. I wouldnt trust them not to slip in use and they're ugly as hell but if you're trying to get low and aero they might be a good solution.
I have a set of these: https://www.amazon.com/Origin8-33617-Drop-Ends/dp/B0013G6PB8 that I would like to get rid of.
Or you can try these clamp on drop bars Origin8 Drop Ends https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0013G6PB8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_MFH5CbJ121487
What is it about drops that you want? If it's a more aggressive riding position then yes go with a road bike. But do know those slimmer tires will not be as forgiving over bumps as something with a bit more volume.
If its just that you want more hand positions for the ride there are a whole variety of bar ends that you can add for little expense. Some of these will stretch you out more, some will just reorient your hands, and these mimic drop bars.
Plus v-brakes are probably the best rim brakes for a commuter (powerful, easy to run fenders, etc etc.)
They’re drop bar attachments I added to my flat bar
Edit: https://www.amazon.com/Origin8-33617-Drop-Ends/dp/B0013G6PB8
See what I wrote above. It's just impractical to convert. If you want to have the hand positions, buy a bar ends and be done with it.
One example -
https://www.amazon.com/Origin8-33617-Drop-Ends/dp/B0013G6PB8/
I had a Giant Escape. You can either sell the bike and buy a road bike on Craigslist (what I did), or buy these:
http://www.amazon.com/Origin-Bicycle-Drop-Ends-Black/dp/B0013G6PB8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1409073242&sr=8-1&keywords=drop+bar+ends
Putting proper drops on is just too expensive.
ive asked this question before, basicly best answer was bar end drops. like these: https://smile.amazon.com/Origin8-33617-Drop-Ends/dp/B0013G6PB8?sa-no-redirect=1
as far as fit, if your legs are long enough that you can pedal a size larger fine then you may be able to get away with just changing the stem, which isn't too expensive or difficult.
a shorter steeper stem will get the bars closer to you and higher which will focus less of your weight on your hands.
So here's what I would do. Slide in your controls and grips to where you think they would be comfy. Ride it without touching the part of the bars you think you won't use. Cut the bars there if you're satisfied. If you really want drop bars for some reason, stick these on there after you chop the bars. https://www.amazon.com/Origin8-33617-Drop-Ends/dp/B0013G6PB8:
I have risers, love rapid fire shifters, but like the feel of drops at times and thought about these
Yeah bar diameter kinda sucks I think you can probably fit some extensions to it though? You'll at least be able to get into them for sprints and stuff I suppose but I'd miss riding on the hoods...
If you find an older road bike (like 80s or 70s) bar, the diameter will work with your shifters/brakes.
These may be helpful, but are not an equivalent for drops.
I'd ride it as is though.
How about this one? But the brakes will still be on the straight handlebar.