Bicycle Mechanics - Shimano Altus Canti to Vbrake

I am trying to swap my new forks on my MTB. It is a treadless stem fork going from a 1" threaded. I did'nt pay for it it was a replacement by GT. I know I will need to get a headset and stem. I stopped at my LNS and the guy there was nice enough to give me some advice after I explained I was broke and couldn't afford to leave it w/ him. He explained the parts I would need to get it going which I was figuring I would need.

Then he told me I would have to convert to Vbrakes and that my Shimano Altus shifter/brake lever wouldn't work w/ the new Vbrake. This would require me buying a new brake handle and shifter along w/ the Vbrake upgrade.
Is there some way around this? I really need a cheap alternative.

Thanks in advance!

I am trying to swap my new forks on my MTB. It is a treadless stem fork going from a 1" threaded. I did'nt pay for it it was a replacement by GT. I know I will need to get a headset and stem. I stopped at my LNS and the guy there was nice enough to give me some advice after I explained I was broke and couldn't afford to leave it w/ him. He explained the parts I would need to get it going which I was figuring I would need.

Then he told me I would have to convert to Vbrakes and that my Shimano Altus shifter/brake lever wouldn't work w/ the new Vbrake. This would require me buying a new brake handle and shifter along w/ the Vbrake upgrade.
Is there some way around this? I really need a cheap alternative.

Thanks in advance!

I dont understand why you would have to change from cants to vees. If the fork had a built in cable stop for the cants you could install a headset mounted cable stop and use the cants.

I dont understand why you would have to change from cants to vees. If the fork had a built in cable stop for the cants you could install a headset mounted cable stop and use the cants.

He probably has a suspension fork. If that's the case, a headset mounted cable stop won't work.

Performancebike has a very good selection of levers that work both on Vee and Cantis...Depending on where you terminate the cable in the lever.

Yes, it is a suspention fork, sorry I should have mentioned that. It is a Suntour XCT fork. Any help would be appreciated.

Yes, it is a suspention fork, sorry I should have mentioned that. It is a Suntour XCT fork. Any help would be appreciated.

You seldom can change just one part on a bicycle. Everything works together so that, when you change one part, something else is almost always affected.

This probably isn't what you want to hear but, if it was my bike, I'd bite the bullet and replace the shifters and brake levers. That's the delux route since you're already upgrading the fork.

You could save a little money by keeping the brake levers that you have now and installing a Travel Agent to solve the cable pull issue. Sometimes you can hacksaw the existing shifters and brake levers apart and only replace the brake levers.

http://http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=600069&subcategory=60001015&brand=&sku=20266&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat%3A%20Brake%20Accessories
How about this? I think it it goes around the fork tube?

Unfortunately I cannot, at this time, afford to upgrade everything although I know this is the best way I just want the thing to be able to ride for now. In a few weeks I can begin to pick up the additional parts. I just need to get it rideable, but safe.

Thanks! :)

the part you showed most recently will NOT work. however there is a part that bolts into the brake arch that would work to provide a cable stop. that is yr cheap fix.