Originally Posted by
LarDasse74
Bar ends are the cheapest and have the best balance between reliability and function, IMHO. Plus the front shifter is friction so it will work with your mtb derailleur, while indexed front shifting (like STI and other brifters) will need a change in derailleur, which can be tricky.
But wait! What components do you have on your bike now? The easy conversion can be done with Shimano parts, but if you have Sram it might be more complicated.
All Shimano w/GripShift's - 21-Speed
Originally Posted by
LarDasse74
Edit: You will most definitely need to change brake cables (drop bar brake levers use a different cable than straight bar levers). You may be able to re-use your shift cable but that is a waste of time to save $5 or $10, IMHO.
Edit II: Any 'short pull' road brake levers will work - that is, anything not designed for V brakes.
So definitely down for new cables... and it looks like those brake levers can be had pretty cheap.