Originally Posted by
dannwilliams
I sold my touring bike last year, and this year I want to convert my old mtb to a drop-bar touring bike. Who has done it, and what are the challenges I can look forward to? Mine is a 1989 GT Timberline, with the funky brakes on the underside of the chain stay/bottom bracket area. I currently use it as a grocery getter, around town bike. I find it comfortable but want the drop bars for personal reasons. I am also thinking an OMM front rack to ditch that handlebar bag.
Like somebody else pointed out, cockpit length is one of the biggest issues. Road bars / levers put your hands 2-3" in front of stem centerline. Assuming you bike fits correct now, you'd need to shorten your stem to account for this extra length.
Brakes shouldn't be a problem.