Shifters/Brakes for MTB Conversion
 

I have an older Peugeot 21 speed Mountain bike that I am converting to a loaded touring/commuter bike. I plan to use drop handlebars, (probably Nitto Randonneur), however I need some advice on good shifter brake lever options to use with these bars.

The bike has an older Shimano "STI" design with indexing thumb shifters and seperate brake levers connected by a common handlebar bracket. (Not to be confused with the STI Brifters sold today, even though they carry the same name.) These are not bad, however I don't think they will be compatible with the drop bars.

My initial thoughts for replacement are something like 7 speed index shifting bar ends, if I can find them, and Dia Compe brake levers. The bike has early 90's Cantilever brakes.

Any advice?

Thanks,
Ed

Do you like Brifters? Shimano SORA 7-speed STI brake/shifter kits $139.95 from Harris sounds like they would work.
http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/shifters.html#brifters

Also you can use a 9 speed cassette with only 8 sprockets on your regular 7 speed hub with 9 speed shifters. For details check out:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/k7.html
scroll down to "8 Of 9 On 7"

Edit:
http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/shifters.html shows some twist grip ones that would probably work.

You can probably find 7 speed indexed bar ends somewhere, but I don't know where.

Any friction bar end will work.

I like Brifters, have them on my other bikes. On this project though I have decided against them due to their extra cost and serviceability issues. I plan to stick more to components that can be repaired or replaced no matter where I am at.

The 8 of 9 on 7 sounds is good option, thanks for the link. I will kick that one around a little bit.

One other option I am contemplating:
Nashbar Treking / ATB Hybrid Bar
Shimano SL-MC40 STX /Alivio Rapidfire 7 Speed (Harris Cyclery)
Nashbar Deluxe ATB Brake Levers

Just a thought, but if you like using brifters on your other bikes I would consider the following:
I think that the lack of serviceability of brifters is not nearly as big of a deal as people make it out to be.

There are other parts that are more likely to fail or be broken and in the unlikely event a brifter fails it isn't a tour ending experience. For example breaking a rear dérailleur is more likely and more of a problem. I have seen riders on tour with crunched wheels, bent forks, and bent or broken rear dérailleurs, but never one out of commission because of a brifter.

The failure of one brifter still allows shifting the other one and whichever dérailleur is controlled by the broken brifter could be set to the middle (or any other) gear of it's range using the limit screws. This leaves you quite able to limp along to the next bike shop whether it is miles, days, or weeks away. A broken brifter can easily be temporarily replaced with a down tube shifter. You could even carry a spare dt shifter if you will be in truly remote areas for very extended periods.