Modifying my Hillborne

[Andrew Wright]

Good morning folks!

I’ve recently been inspired by Eric Marth’s build videos on YouTube and want to change my Sam up a bit, mainly moving from road bars/bar end shifters to something like a Bosco or albatross with thumbies.  Problem is I’m not very familiar with changing parts out like brake levers, shifters etc.  Can anyone recommend some good resources to better understand this work, these parts and what’s compatible with what?  YouTube, books, whatever ya got. Truly appreciate any help y’all can give me.

[Olivier Chételat]

Hello Wrigap1,

the good folks at Parktool have taken bike repair tutorials very seriously and the mustachioed man in their videos sure helped me going from barely being able to adjust a saddle to building bikes from the frame up. 

Here's the link: https://www.parktool.com/en-us/

This should make swapping handlebars, brake levers and shifters a relatively easy and painless operation. And fun to boot.

Good luck!

Oli in SF

[greenteadrinkers]

Hi wrigap1,

Just wanted to chime in with my experience using bar-ends and a Bosco Bar on my Sam, the combo works! You do need to be a little careful when doing a sharp turn while riding at 2 mph, otherwise, I love the combination on my Sam. The Bar-ends keep the bars open giving your hands a little more freedom. 

Best

Scott

[st nick]

 I have upright/swept back style bars on my Hillborne and they work well for me on rides of 30 or 40 miles or on rare occasion more.

I did a 73 mile ride earlier this year on this bike to commemorate turning that age.

These bars are the Sunlite North Road bars in the alloy version. They also come in a steel version.

However I'm pretty sure you cannot fit barends on them.

I recently picked up the Nitto version of the Albatross B352 handlebar which I think is the same bar as Riv offers and vintage ratcheting Suntour bar ends that I may be trying on this or another bike in my stable soon.

Good luck with your project.

Paul in Dallas