little_rico said:What makes it any different than any other road bike other than the handlebars? It IS a road bike... just with flat bars. Can you explain the difference? Is it unsuitable for long rides? It is advertised as an "urban commuter" but I assumed that was mostly due to the flat bars.
The definition of what a "road" bike is has changed with time ...
To over-simplify ... shortly after WWII, you could buy a track bike, a road bike, a kid's bike, or a tandem. Yes, there was actually a time before MTBs!
Regular & touring bikes were road bikes whose frame had a taller seat tube ... and, therefore a taller head tube ... and, therefore the handlebars were higher. The bike may have had drop bars OR 3-speed type, upright bars. The wheel size varied. When you stopped, the bike was simply leaned to the left-or-right depending on the rider's preference.
Racing bikes were road bikes whose frame was a smaller size than a regular-or-"touring " bike would have, thus allowing the rider to achieve a more aerodynamic position if s/he chose.
Cyclocross bikes were the same bikes which were ridden during the "regular" racing season which were shod with fatter tires.
Track bikes had higher BBs and the "dropout" faced the rear to allow for a shorter wheelbase.
At the moment, it seems that most people only consider a "road" bike to be a bike which closely resembles a racing bike.
Your MASI was-and-is a road bike ... it's just not considered to be set up for long distance riding by most people ...
Of course, one person's long distance riding may be considered another person's short ride ...
SOME Flat Bar bikes may have a longer top tube to compensate for the lack of reach that a Flat Bar has when compared with the forward reach of a Drop bar.
Having said that, be aware that different handlebars have different reach & bend AND where you mount the brake levers will affect the overall forward reach; so, if you aren't getting the SAME handlebars as you have on your SS then be sure to check the specs OR get the handlebars, first.
Since you already have a bike with drop bars, presuming you like the fit of your SS, you just need to install a STEM & handlebar on your MASI whose forward reach matches that of your SS bike ...
So, if your SS has a 54cm top tube and the MASI has a 54cm top tube, then you will (probably) want to install a stem that has the same length ...
If your SS has a 54cm top tube and the MASI's top tube is 56cm, then you would probably want a stem that is 2cm shorter than the stem on the SS ... etc.
If you are wise shopper (i.e., eBay/etc.) and do the work yourself, then for about $200, you can buy a pair of Campagnolo 10-speed (non-QS recommended) shifters which are compatible with most Shimano drivetrains (some tweaking may-or-may-not be required ... allow $140+ on eBay for a set WITH cables/housing -- you can spend MORE, of course), a set of drop bars + stem (if you feel it is necessary to change the length) + handlebar tape. You'll want a mini-V brake for the front (some people say you don't need to make the accommodation) OR replace the current V-brakes with cantilever brakes (you'll need cable hangers ... depending on how much you pay for the cantilever brake calipers, the cable hangers may actually cost more!) ...
Whether you spend more OR less depends on YOU.
