I just converted my straight bar Specalized Sirrus Comp to a drop bar with Ultergra STI. I thought it would be easy and would give me better power up hills etc.

Several issues are immediately apparent. The Ultegra shifters do not seem to work well with my Deore front deraileur! I went from a triple to a double!! I can't get it to shift into the small cain ring!! One mechanic told me to put a road deraileur up front because of possible cable pull ratio differences) and another told me to upgrade to the Deore LX (because it is desighned to work with the 48/36/26 combo up front). I'M CONFUSED!!

The other thing I suspect is that I will need to change my stem. I have been using a 130/6 degree which I suspect is too long and is not giving me enough rise. I had been using it flipped on the straight bar with one space on top. We flipped it up and put it on top, but that doesn't seem to work. I am getting cramping in the crook of my thumb (from resting on the hoods) I suspect I am putting way too much weight on the front because I am leaning so far forward. The other thing I noticed today when I did my usuall 15 mile loop before work is that MY NADS WERE GETTING SQUISHED!! Not a pleasant feeling to get with 7 or 8 miles to go!!

Since I haven't ridden a drop bar in about 30 years I can't remember if any of this is "normal". Any feedback, suggestions etc would be greatly appreciated

Bill