flatbar to drops

[ucb]

My current commuter bike (Giant Rapid 1 -. Ironic name) has flat bars, Tiagra rear mech, FSA crank with Megaexo BB, and Tektro hydraulic brakes. Not sure if the front derailleur is Tiagra or non-branded as it's unmarked bit there Shimano flat bar gear levers.
I'd like to convert to drops. I bought the bike as a first bike to start cycling again some years ago and I use it for a short work commute and recreational riding.
My plan would be new handlebars, Tiagra sti hydraulic levers, possibly a new stem and bartape.
I'm assuming the crank is compatible with this change as I seem to be using Shimano gear change levers and it also assumed the Tektro calipers and Shimano levers have the same diameter hydraulic fitting.
Reckon cost will be £350-400 to convert so the alternative is a secondhand bike with Tiagra- level components.
Thoughts? Convert or look for something like a Giant Contend Disc? Is a conversion possible as I've set out? Have I missed something obvious?
Anyone think I should charge the BB and crankset as well to Shimano hollowtech? The Megaexo is a 19mm spindle so it's fairly unique and it's been in the bike for the best part of 8k but it runs unobstrusively

[tertius]

Honestly just buy the bike you want and sell the one you have … simpler cheaper quicker.

Unless you actually want to do the conversion for the pleasure of it which is a perfectly reasonable point of view.

[dontlookdown]

Yup, unless you are doing it to learn/enjoy the work itself, just buy a drop bar bike. It will be quicker and easier, and if you buy SH prob cheaper too.

And you'll still have a flat bar bike for when you fancy a change of style.

[jamm13dodger]

How about using the Surly corner bar? That way you can just reuse your current levers, etc.

https://surlybikes.com/parts/corner_bar

its not quite a drop bar but might give you that gravel stance/position?

This YT video explains more https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjWpYkL0a5k&t=...

[Pickled Piper]

dontlookdown said:

Yup, unless you are doing it to learn/enjoy the work itself, just buy a drop bar bike. It will be quicker and easier, and if you buy SH prob cheaper too.

And you'll still have a flat bar bike for when you fancy a change of style.

Yes as stated above. I did the conversion on a Trek Hybrid. I enjoyed doing the work and sorting the challenges. Then I converted it back again and bought myself a dropped handlebar bike to go with it.

i use the flat bar around town and general duties and the dropped bar bike when I just want to go out for a spin, ride fast and get sweaty.

[OutInTheShed]

How many speeds is it?
Different mechs use different 'mm of cable' per gear pull ratios.
ISTR Tiagra 10sp is different from other road mechs?
Incompatibility of mechs and levers is surreal.

The Sheldon Brown web empire is a good place to check this IIRC.

Drop bars are a lot of faff bar-taping over all the cables, which will of course be the wrong length.

Another vote for buying a drop bar bike I'm afraid!

[ucb]

I of course knew this and refused to admit it to myself.
Although more bikes = better

[2Btoo]

ucb said:

I of course knew this and refused to admit it to myself.
Although more bikes = better

Good ... and I'm with the crowd; buy a bike with drops, only convert the current one if you fancy the challenge. If cost is a problem then sell the current bike to finance the new one.

[loskie]

can you use cycle to work scheme and buy a new bike

[Bainbridge]

Buy a road bike with drop bars and convert your flat bar Giant into an ebike using a swytch kit!

That's what I did and I take out the ebike at every opportunity

[TwistingMyMelon]

The geo would be different tbh, your bike is designed for flat bars, not drops - not end of the world but it wouldnt be great

If its in good nick id sell for circa £200 and get a decent road bike with drops for £500 off ebay/marketplace

I keep seeing older carbon boardman rodies for £300-600 locally , not a bad buy.

[wpa1975]

To answer the question yes it can be done but is it worth it, I doubt it but this my Giant Rapid, been a faithful friend over the last 5 years and has now done 10000 miles.

It rides fine as a drop and I prefer a longer tup tube length.

I am running Tiagra STI levers, GRX mechs, TRP cable brakes.

[wpa1975]

Another photo, next step for me is to go with a single ring set up.