Originally Posted by
FatherAlabaster
On a safety note, if the clamp does snap, it's likely to do it when you're riding, and you don't want a part like that dangling from a cable and going into your spokes. If the clamps are aluminum, spreading them isn't a good idea. I'm not saying this will happen. I've heard of success stories with people doing exactly what you're trying. However, if you're serious about sticking with the drop bars, that setup is kind of a cheapo stopgap measure. I'm willing to bet sooner or later you'll want either bar end shifters, or integrated road levers. You may want to do yourself a favor by not spending your money on something that isn't a long-term solution. That's my $.06.
I've totes done something like this. A while back my front brake calipers on my commuter dislodged and got caught in my spokes. I went over. Luckily it was at like 5mph, because I had just reached the parking lot at work, but man, that could have been bad. So yeah, be sure to check yer stuff...
Anywho, now I'm just thinking through curiosity: I wonder if you could somehow keep the levers and modify them to add in-line brakes. If there is a safe feasibility to this, you should totally try.