Converting a T50 to a road bar and controls.

[rx7mark]

So I have about 5000 miles on my T50 now, and have been very pleased with the latest iteration with the Emiljay mod, Thor GS Easy seat, and the Soma gator bars with MTB controls including twist shifter on the 1 x 11 SRAM GS wide range rear derailleur.

Two minor issues have led me to convert the controls from MTB to road controls. The main issue was that my hands would go numb and there was no way to relax my grip without dropping my hand from the grip. On long rides I was constantly doing exactly that, riding one handed while shaking out the other hand, and then alternating to the other hand. Of course in traffic I could not safely do this and I would lose feeling in my hands.

Secondly the cables were sort of a mess, large hops were required to give knee access. See the pictures of my old setup to see what I mean.

For the conversion I chose a Ritchey Comp EvoMax Road Handlebar 46cm 31.8 mm handlebar and mounted it in the inverted position. A right SRAM SL-500 Aero 11 speed bar end shifter and TRP RRL road brake levers were added, with all new SHIMANO cables. Of course I needed a Tandem cable for the rear brake.

The magic ingredient that makes it all work and shift properly is a JTEK Shiftmate 9 which converts the cable pull from SRAM Road shifter to SRAM MTB derailleur motion.

To finish things off I used SRAM Super Cork Bar tape. Here are pictures of the almost complete cockpit, I still have to remount my computer and replace one mirror that I had cut the strap to short to fit the new bar.


At this point the bike is back together and rideable, but I have only taken it for a short ride. The test will be how it feels on a longer ride, but I ran out of time today.

Let me know if anyone has questions.
Mark

 

[cpml123]

Mark.. you are always tinkering!

That's interesting that your hands get numb. Mine get numb, too, but it seems more often when I ride on the trainer. I haven't ridden much outside yet this year because it seems that it has been raining forever.

They never get numb when I ride the DF bike. I wonder if it's because of the lifting of the arms when riding a recumbent bike causes pressure on the nerves passing through shoulder and elbow.

Michael

 

[super slim]

Excellent Emiljay conversion!

Can you take some more photos of the head stem clamp and steerer tube clamps, with component details.

Also the car? swaged tie rod details used for the seat supports.

AND while you have the camera out, photos of the two seat connection points.

 

[benphyr]

@super slim
This may be the only time ever that I know something that you don't!!
@rx7mark posted these threads previously, they answer most of your questions and with 1000 word essays too:
https://forum.cruzbike.com/threads/my-t50-emeljay-mod.12463/page-2#post-146456
https://forum.cruzbike.com/threads/t50-with-a-thor-seat.12383/#post-145328

 

[super slim]

@super slim
This may be the only time ever that I know something that you don't!!
@rx7mark posted these threads previously, they answer most of your questions and with 1000 word essays too:
https://forum.cruzbike.com/threads/my-t50-emeljay-mod.12463/page-2#post-146456
https://forum.cruzbike.com/threads/t50-with-a-thor-seat.12383/#post-145328

Thank you!

 

[rx7mark]

Thanks for the kind words Super Slim! And thank you Benphry for reposting my Thor seat and Emeljay mod threads, you beat me to it.

And yes Michael, I am a tinkerer and modifier at heart. I am sure you picked that up when we had a chance to meet and discuss your Thor seat S40 installation. Part of being a structural design engineer by education and by trade. Though to be honest I have been wired this way all my life, which is why I went into engineering.

I am also happy to see people actually read my threads, and that I can contribute a little bit back to this great forum, because I was a lurker for a long time before I took the plunge, and have learned a ton. This forum is probably the number one reason I chose to buy a Cruzbike!

Mark

 

[rx7mark]

Just an update after my first longer 30 mile ride this weekend.

I did not really notice any handling change, but it took me a little while to adjust to the bar end shifter. The brakes levers were great, even though it looks strange, it feels natural to the hand. I had just two small changes to make when I got back.

A slight change to my slider tube position was required. I had to move my crank about .125 further out because my upper legs where gently hitting the new bar, due to the increased diameter caused by the cables and bar wrap. I don't think I will notice this, but I'll know for sure on the next ride.

The second issue I could not solve until I got back from my ride, but the portion of the bar drop where my hands go was too small in diameter for my hands to comfortably grip, and felt a little harsh on my hands. After a visit to my LBS, I installed two layer of gel tape just from the brake mount up. Of course I had to remove and rewrap the bar, but the result feel much better, and should solve both issues. I had mentioned my numb hand issue, and the bar and controls change made it much better, but not completely gone. I am hoping the larger diameter and gel cushion will make it even better.

I have also added a CAT EYE - BM-45 Bar End Bike Mirror to my left bar end. What a sweet little upgrade from my Zepher Spy mirrors, clearer view, more stable and a little larger. I moved a spy mirror to the right side, but the upgrade on the left primary traffic mirror was greatly appreciated.

Overall I am very pleased and greatly appreciated the cleaner cable arrangement.

Mark

 

[Rampa]

Hi Mark.
Cool mods. I am curious what the minimum overlap slider tubes is that you have found to work. Is 4 inches enough. 6 inches? I have a foot or more on my Emeljay mod, and plan to keep it that way. But I am curious if you have found a point where it suddenly makes for a flimsy connection between the two tubes.

 

[rx7mark]

I think I am at about 4 inches with a two bolt clamp and have never had an issue. I am prepared to replace my 24 inch tube with a 30 inch if it becomes an issue.

Mark

 

[Rampa]

I got a NOS green T50 frame that has not been built, and am thinking of making a tall front, kind of like a Q45. So it would be a longer reach for the two tubes, but about what you have, so I'm happy!