Change type of handlebars?

[Cee Bee.....]

Hi there.I have a Focus Mares cyclocross bike.  For the Summer, I'd like to put handlebars on it that you find on hybrid/city bikes - is this possible?The reason is so that I can put a front child's seat on it (rather than a rear) but with drop handlebars, there is not enough room between me and the bars for the child.  I don't mind a more upright position on the Focus for during the Summer (I want to change the bars back for the Winter to use at that time rather than take my road bike out).Anyone have any thoughts please?  How easy is this to do?  I've also got the cables running along the top tube so will have to look at the seat being able to be attached to it - I like the WeeRide Kangaroos I think they are called.Thanks very much.Max

[Greg Quinn]

I dont think its worth the hassle changing your bars for that and changing them back again in the winter. My girlfriend flogged her road bike for a city bike so we could put a child seat on it. We are thinking of getting something like the wee ride Kangaroo. I would suggest go for a quality seat that goes onto a rear rack or goes on to your seat post or if you really want a baby seat in front flog the cyclocross bike and buy a hybrid.

[puddings]

you will also need to change your shifters from sti's to mtb style shifters

[Cee Bee.....]

Oh yes, the shifters.  Forgot about those. Really prefer a front seat for children - I don't like them on the back.   Have tried it but there is no interaction and they don't get to see much either.Maybe I should have spent £1,500 on road bike and then £500 on hybrid instead of £2k on road bike........  Who is going to buy a cyclocross bike?  I expect not a lot of people want them.  I do have the Trek 1.5 to sell but that was to go towards the £2k Orbea bike. 

[Greg Quinn]

Put it on eBay we could have sold a spec dolce ten times over.

[Cee Bee.....]

Thanks Greg.  I checked ebay and see that my same bike, year, model, etc was sold this month for £500 - one bid though so maybe these bikes are not wanted as much but it's worth looking into.  I am going to sell the Trek on ebay.  I just thought cyclo-cross bikes are not popular although for my hubby, it's fine.  Can take the kids out on it; racy enough to get to work (now we changed the tyres!) and good for CTC rides as well as just keeping fit.  It's a good all round bike for him even though he is not into cyclo-cross sport.

[Greg Quinn]

Go for it I have a bike on eBay just now once that's sold it will make room for another one. I'm restricting myself to five bikes. Another option if you want to keep that bike is pick up a cheap 2nd hand hybrid but it all depends how many bikes you have room for. So what's the thinking behind the name change Maxine?

[Cee Bee.....]

Hi Greg - I put a post up under Bikes about what sort to have to cover all my types of riding but I have had no response yet.  I spoke to Mark (my hubby) and he is happy with his Focus Mares (I bought two - one each) and I think the Focus suits him.  But for all my riding and for my children, I might need another.  We have room for lots of bikes but not the money......... Another question, as I think you mentioned about the Orbea Onix.  I had a look in the Cycling Plus 50 Bike Shoot Out about the review - it certainly does have a good review but with a lot of bikes, they mention whether they lend more to sportives or racing.  I wanted a bike to do both but mostly sportives.  Seems comfortable enough for that but has a short head tube so you can get down low on the bars.  I am having compact bars which will make me be a little more upright.  Got any views on it?If you can read my other post and you have ideas, please let me know.  Mark may want my Shrek the Trek but I'd have to sell Giddyup the Focus (Mares - horse - only girls do this sort of thing, don't they?!!) or the Shrek the Trek.  I do want something for the children at the front and also for light touring, which may involve the children too so I would have to take some gear at the back.  Do you do touring with the straight bars as opposed to the race bars?  I've no idea!  It's all so confusing!!Someone sold the road bike like Trek - same year, model, etc, for £450 in March.  I think I may get around £300 to £350 because I've got women's bars on it, shorter stem, etc even though it's a man's bike.  So, Giddyup may go for more but with not so many buyers looking whereas Shrek will go for less but with more buyers looking - I think. 

[Cee Bee.....]

Or, can I do a bit of light touring solo with Shrek?  Sell Giddyup so Shrek becomes the Winter workhorse as well.  Buy a hybrid of some description that will take a child front seat and panniers at the back for light packing?