worc33

i have a Trek 1000 circa 1990 with shimano 105 components. For years I used it for touring and long milage rides but I bought a better bike and I'm thinking of converting the Trek to a more relaxed setup - infant seat, slightly wider tires, bigger seat, toe clips, etc. basically something to keep at the beach and ride around town.

The existing shifters are on the downtube - the biggest question I have is whether I can replace the existing drop handlebars with mountain/hybrid bars and use mountain/hybrid brakes and shifters. The existing gear setup is 2 in the front and 7 in the back.

anyone with advice/experience here?

thanks.

joejack951

You have lots of options. The cheapest would be something like this:
https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...9&category=163

A little classier would be something like this:
https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...3&category=163

The front shifter on grip shifters operates much like a friction shifter (many small clicks) so you should have no problems getting your front derailler to work properly even though the cable pull is slightly different from road to MTB. The rear would work just fine as the cable pull is the same.

worc33

so the 7 speed shifter/brake combos wont work? Is it because those shifter/brake systems are for cantilever brakes?

If thats the case, would I combine the shifters you recommended with the standalone grip road brakes?

thanks.

joejack951

You know, I wasn't even thinking about the brake issue. But that's easy enough to remedy. Levers meant for cantilever brakes will work with your road caliper brakes. Just make sure they say cantilever and not V-brakes. The issue with the brake/shifter combos is that all the ones I'm aware of are index shifting meaning the front shifter won't work with your current derailler.

worc33

I responded in another post as well - I'm struggling with what part goes into the "hole" vacated by the downtube shifters. Is it just cable stops? there seems to be something else necessary...

joejack951

Yes, cable stops are what would mount in place of the downtube shifters. If they don't come with the shifters, you can purchase the cable stops seperately. I doubt that shifters intended for a MTB would come with cable stops for downtube shifter bosses so plan on purchasing a set.

https://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...&category=1613

bluenote157

I did this recently.
I made my old Raleigh into a flat bar road bike. Used some tektro inline levers and an sram trigger shifter. It was compatible with my existing shimano derailleur. Worked like a charm. I then got bored and came across a 40cm airwings/cowhorns. Flipped them so that they are more upright like moustache bars..used the same inline levers...and will probably throw on some bar end shifters.

worc33

appreciate the insights - i picked up most of the parts I'll need from a great shop in Cambridge, MA that sells used parts (shout out to Broadway Bicycle). I went with Shimano Revo Shift x9 grip shifters, a hybrid bar, new stem with a 30 degree rise, brake levers, cable stops and new cables and housing.

This should mean only 5 more trips to the bike store this weekend but I have the stand out on the deck and plan on this project over several beers. Afterwards, it will be perfect for riding around the neighborhood with my daughter...

I'll send before/after photos.