Originally Posted by
moonedzx9
Thanks for all the responses. It is a shimano 3x8 currently. I was wanting to switch to drops for more hand position and aerodynamics. I found a used pair of shimano st-2300 brifters. I didn't now that my brakes weren't compatible though. So I guess I learned something already. I didn't know it would so expensive to swap them out. I will check out some of the other bars you guys have mentioned.
If your current shifters and brake levers are not integrated, you could potentially keep your shifters and use a pair of
tektro dropbar v-brake levers ($30/pair) as long as you can get a dropbar the correct diameter (for your stem and shifters)
if they are integrated right now on flatbar, you could get those used brifters but switch your calipers to
mini Vs ($15 each)
You will probably need new cables/housing (likely to need longer runs with dropbars)
It's true that figuring out what positions you would actually use with different bars is a good idea. For strictly aero gains you could consider how aero your total package is (panniers, backpack) and see if there is room to improve that, and if you need to bend farther over to get your body out of the wind, consider clamping on an aerobar setup. But that might not compensate for luggage issues.