Cyclocross - Switching from flat bars to drops, can I still use V Brakes?

My single speed cross bike is currently setup with a flat bar, Avid V Brakes, and Shimano Brake Levers.

I want to try out some drop bars, and I understand that I'll need to get drop levers as well. Will the drop levers work with my Avid V Brakes?

I've read that road levers don't pull enough for v brakes, is this true?

i run xtr v-brakes on my SS cross bike. What I did is run travel agents with tektro levers and everything works great. If you want, I can post some pics after I ride to work today.

here's a travel agent on the perfo site http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=2647
http://bryanbillington.com/bike_crap/TAfront.jpg
http://bryanbillington.com/bike_crap/TAfront2.jpg
http://bryanbillington.com/bike_crap/TAback.jpg
http://bryanbillington.com/bike_crap/TAback2.jpg

road levers do not pull enough cable for v brakes. however, the dia compe 287 lever is a aero lever that works specifically with v brakes.

http://www.ebikestop.com/prodimages/BR7213.jpg (http://www.ebikestop.com/tektro_rl520_ergo_brake_levers_for_linear_pull_blackblack-BR7213.php)

I was just getting ready to say...Tektro makes a long pull road lever. They're much less expensive than the Dia Compe option and most people who have had both seem to like the Tektro levers better.

Edit: Oh and I think the Tektro levers are about $25 for a set of two. I've seen the travel agents for about $15 each. For me, the only real reason to use the travel agents is if you're using brifters which no one makes a long pull version of.

I was just getting ready to say...Tektro makes a long pull road lever. They're much less expensive than the Dia Compe option and most people who have had both seem to like the Tektro levers better.

Edit: Oh and I think the Tektro levers are about $25 for a set of two. I've seen the travel agents for about $15 each. For me, the only real reason to use the travel agents is if you're using brifters which no one makes a long pull version of.

i had some in my parts bin, and some other tektro levers that i liked... so it made sense for my application.

Yup. Travel agents are handy if you happen to have them on hand.

i've read that you can use mini-v brakes with STI shifters and no travel agent. Google 'mini-v cyclocross' and you'll get a good number of hits. Sounds cool.

Having seen them in RL, the only thing I have to say about the Tektro v-brake lever is that they are HUGE. Biggest hoods I've ever seen in my life, they really must be seen to be believed. I hear that they function really well.

I have the Cane Creek Drop-V levers (just rebadged Tektros) and they're awesome. They fit my hand really well, and I like them better than Campy Ergos or Shimmy Brifters. The SRAM stuff fits my hand best, but surprisingly the RL520s work top notch.



They pull great, too.



Check 'em out here:

http://www.telemarktips.com/photopost/data/500/Family_Pictures_0011.JPG

http://www.telemarktips.com/photopost/data/500/Family_Pictures_008.JPG

BTW, I'll sell you mine for $25 shipped.

The Tektro Drop V levers are good. They're modeled on the Campy Ergo shape, feel good, pull V brakes just fine and I expect mine to last a good long time.

Very much recommended and a crazy good at the price.