[MENTION=261111]pcdmiele[/MENTION] - I forgot all about those retro shift shifters. That could be an option.
[MENTION=259746]Paramount1973[/MENTION] - that's a great idea on the Tektro cross brakes. I might try that. So you can use those cross brakes as your only brake? They're not the same as "interruptor" brakes? Educate me please.

I'm trying to do this "on the cheap" (I know 'cheap' is relative). First, I am not a mountain bike rider, although could easily go find some nice easy stuff. I'm not even sure if I'd like this setup, but I've seen drop bar conversions that ended up being peoples commuter or around town bike. I bought my Surly CC specifically for drop bars, bar end shifters, etc. Ended up getting fitted (shorter stem & shallow reach/drop bars). Even with short reach brake levers I never felt completely safe in regard to braking. The positioning of the brake levers was set for me to be riding on the hoods & braking from there. Of course not a lot of leverage. Braking from the drops was ok in an emergency, but not great. So I now have a mustache bar on my Surly and I can get to the brakes at my fingertips & I'm comfortable.

Maybe cross brakes would be the way to go. I have some shimano levers mounted to bar end pods (6 speed) that can run friction. I could try that for awhile to see if I even like the setup then evolve from there. So I'd buy the bar (now on sale), longer cables/housing & some sort of brake levers.