Originally Posted by
spnwe
I am aware that it's going to be a hard conversion and costly(?) conversion but I can source the parts out either on OfferUp or eBay. Looking for a low-medium budget. somewhere between $200-$350
It'd be hard to get what you'd need for the budget you've got laid out. To save the 3x8, you'd need to swap to a 'road' mechanical brake caliper, to go with the STI levers. To keep the hydros, youd need to upgrade to a 10-sp+ road drivetrain. Plus the stem, controls, and the bars you'll need for the conversion.
Another option to look at would be one of the swept or 'bow' style MTB bars like the Jones Loop or Surly Terminal. They'll work with your existing controls, and you can run them flipped up or down, depending on how high or low you're looking to get your hand position.