Originally Posted by
Brando_T.
I do recommend the barcon approach, although I went with brifters.
I went with the suntour barcons. Like Doohickie said, they are almost as quick as brifters. Never had any issues with friction shifting.
Originally Posted by
Brando_T.
Keep in mind that normal road bike brakes are not meant for cantilever or V-brake systems, and you will need a special take-up system, mounted at the brake, to make them compatible.
Interstingly, when I did the drop bar conversion to my Trek 900, the Tektro levers I bought stunk with the cantilevers originally on the bike. Bottomed out without a lot of stopping power. Put a pair of v brakes on it that came from a $20 Univega frame, and they work great. Lots of stopping power and good control.
Old Red by
Yo Spiff, on Flickr