A retired friend has asked me to convert his drop bar road bike to flat bars. The bike is running a Shimano 105 2x11 groupset.
Which shifters & brake levers would you use?
if they are running Road gear mech then I think the only option for shifters are Shimano RS700 shifters, and they are pretty pricey.
In terms of brake levers, you can't use mtb v brake levers either due to the cable pull l, so again you're looking at specific Road flat bar levers.
As above - Shimano RS700 shifters and something like the R780 brake levers.
Possibly close to being cheaper to buy mtb mech and shifters instead! Especially if current stuff worn.
If it's a disk frame, then something like Deore hydraulic brakes would he a no brainer for me if I was doing it.
Possibly close to being cheaper to buy mtb mech and shifters instead! Especially if current stuff worn.
If it’s a disk frame, then something like Deore hydraulic brakes would he a no brainer for me if I was doing it.
I would check carefully that MTB front and rear derailleurs would be compatible with whatever chainset/chainrings and cassette are being used. It won't be cheaper if they require a new MTB chainset and possibly cassette as well.
Bike Discount.de is likely to be one of the cheapest places for the RS700 shifters:
https://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/shimano-2x11-speed-flat-bar-shifter-sl-rs700-set-220725
(They also sell an I Spec II version)
For brake levers, BL R780:
https://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/shimano-levers-set-bl-r780-flatbar-black-30917
or in all silver
https://www.bike-discount.de/en/buy/shimano-levers-set-bl-r780-flatbar-silver-49929
Any levers designed for canti brakes will work too. V brake levers pull too much cable.