Bicycle Mechanics - Hybrid to drop bars conv

I'm going to put drops on my Trek 7.3FX and put this list of parts together. Before I buy does anyone see compatability issues with what I'll be running?

Currently have:
Trek 7.3FX (stock)
Front Derailleur Shimano C10Z
Rear Derailleur Shimano Diore
Brakes Avid SD-3

Buying:
On One Midge bars
Tektro RL520 ergo levers for V-brakes
Shimano Ultegra 105 bar end shifters, 8speed

The bars should fit my current stem since they're 25.4mm and the brake levers are for V-brakes so no worries there. I don't know about the shifters working with my derailleurs though. What do you think?

Sounds like you have things pretty well covered. Shimano rear derailleurs use the same cable pull for road and MTB/hybrid, so that'll work. However, front derailleurs require different pull ratios. But since you'll be using a friction front shifter, as long as the shifter can get to all three rings, it'll be just fine. Good luck with the conversion; sounds like it'll make a nice all-arounder.

Sounds like you have things pretty well covered. Shimano rear derailleurs use the same cable pull for road and MTB/hybrid, so that'll work. However, front derailleurs require different pull ratios. But since you'll be using a friction front shifter, as long as the shifter can get to all three rings, it'll be just fine. Good luck with the conversion; sounds like it'll make a nice all-arounder.

+1 Sounds like a winner to me.

Tim

Yep. Seems great. I actually did that with a Trek 7500FX from the early 2000's. I had a set of D/A brifters, so I used those along with a Sora FD (as the knowledgeable JiveTurkey pointed out). Sorry, no pics, I sold it a while ago.

Mechanically what you propose will work fine. The only "problem" may be the stem length. Drop bars will put the brake levers further away from you than straight bars and the reach to them may be more than you are comfortable with. A different stem may be needed for fit purposes.

Mechanically what you propose will work fine. The only "problem" may be the stem length. Drop bars will put the brake levers further away from you than straight bars and the reach to them may be more than you are comfortable with. A different stem may be needed for fit purposes.

I've thought about that as well. I'll have to get everything put together and see how it goes. Thanks for the help.

When I built up a Miyata Triplecross with drops I used a Nashbar extra-long ATB stem. Looks a little weird but works great.

http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p183/top506/Triplecross2.jpg

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I finally got this setup put together this weekend with one change. I wasn't able to find the Tektro levers so I went with the Cane Creek "drop V" levers, which from what I've read are the same thing as the Tektros. Everything went on quite easily, even the rear shifter indexes perfectly.

One problem with the levers though. I am having a trouble setting them up. I adjusted the brakes to a point where I can't get the pads any closer to the rim without touching it and I still have to pull the levers all the way to the handlebar to get the pads to lock the wheels. From where I have it now, the cables cannot get any tighter at rest (without any input on the levers). The only way I see to get it done is to shorten the cable housing. Anyone have any ideas on how to adjust my brakes a little better/properly? Thanks for the help.

Are there maybe two positions to put the cable in the lever? Some lever have a position for cantis as well as for Vs.

Also, lest I forget: PICS!

Here's a quick pic:

http://i73.photobucket.com/albums/i226/geislerg/Motorcycle/side1.jpg

Cool! I'm glad I asked!

How do you like the Midge bars?

That is so HOT!

I love the look of the midge bars. I wish someone around here had them so I could give a ride. What do you think of them?

+1 Specifically, can you ride on the hoods and still reach the brakes Ok?

Took my first ride with the new setup yesterday. I rode about 2 hours and couldn't be happier. The bars were very comfortable in all positions. I rode most of the time in the drops but I did ride on the hoods for a while as well. I didn't have any problem reaching the brakes when in the hoods and I actually liked riding in that position. Overall, I'm pretty happy with the setup. The bike is now a great all around bike that is much more comfortable for me than the flat bars ever were.

Did you get your brake adjustment solved? Shortening the housing wouldn't fix it. It sounds more like you have regular road brake levers mated to V-brakes and that's why the travel problems. Maybe you got the wrong Cane Creek model even if you ordered the "drop V" type.

Did you get your brake adjustment solved? Shortening the housing wouldn't fix it. It sounds more like you have regular road brake levers mated to V-brakes and that's why the travel problems. Maybe you got the wrong Cane Creek model even if you ordered the "drop V" type.

I haven't figured out the brake problems. I matched the levers I received to the picture on the Cane Creek website and they are the same model (They have the "V" logo on the top of them). During my ride last sunday the brakes weren't really a problem so I'll leave them as is for now and possibly get travel agents later on. I guess I thought the travel would be more of a problem than it is.