Uploaded April 2017 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
I show how to install dropbar handlebars and integrated brake shifter levers (brifters) on a mountain bike (with 26" wheels) to build a touring/monster cross/gravel bike. I also change from V-brakes to cantilever brakes for compatibility to the road brakes. And also swap out the mountain front derailleur to a triple road front derailleur. The bike I used for the conversion is a 1998 Cannondale Birkenstock M400. And yeah, I know the wheels need to be trued.
* I switched from v-brakes to cantilever brakes because cantilever brakes have the same cable pull ratio as road levers. V-brakes require nearly double the amount of cable pull to operate properly and won't work correctly with standard road levers.
* I did not use Mini V-Brakes as they only work with tires up to about 38mm wide. I could have used a Travel Agent, but they are known to fray the cable with it goes through the pulley. I chose cantilevers. I'd like to point out that manufacturers like Trek and Surly use cantilevers on some of their current bikes. Check out Surly's Long Haul Trucker.
* Shimano SIS rear derailleurs all have the same cable pull ratio. There is no difference between a road rear derailleur and a mountain bike rear derailleur as far as cable pull ratio (note: 10 speed mountain changed). But Shimano road and mountain front derailleurs have a different cable pull ratio. Since I was switching from mountain shifters to road shifters, I had to change the front derailleur, but not the rear one. See this video on how indexed shifting works: youtube.com/watch?v=xMvD1T4qF1E
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I show how to install dropbar handlebars and integrated brake shifter levers (brifters) on a mountain bike (with 26" wheels) to build a touring/monster cross/gravel bike. I also change from V-brakes to cantilever brakes for compatibility to the road brakes. And also swap out the mountain front derailleur to a triple road front derailleur. The bike I used for the conversion is a 1998 Cannondale Birkenstock M400. And yeah, I know the wheels need to be trued.
* I switched from v-brakes to cantilever brakes because cantilever brakes have the same cable pull ratio as road levers. V-brakes require nearly double the amount of cable pull to operate properly and won't work correctly with standard road levers.
* I did not use Mini V-Brakes as they only work with tires up to about 38mm wide. I could have used a Travel Agent, but they are known to fray the cable with it goes through the pulley. I chose cantilevers. I'd like to point out that manufacturers like Trek and Surly use cantilevers on some of their current bikes. Check out Surly's Long Haul Trucker.
* Shimano SIS rear derailleurs all have the same cable pull ratio. There is no difference between a road rear derailleur and a mountain bike rear derailleur as far as cable pull ratio (note: 10 speed mountain changed). But Shimano road and mountain front derailleurs have a different cable pull ratio. Since I was switching from mountain shifters to road shifters, I had to change the front derailleur, but not the rear one. See this video on how indexed shifting works: youtube.com/watch?v=xMvD1T4qF1E
▶ SUBSCRIBE & HIT THE 🔔 bit.ly/SubRJTheBikeGuy
👍 And please give my video a thumbs up 👍
▶FACEBOOK.com/RJTheBikeGuy
facebook.com/RJTheBikeGuy
▶TOOLS
rjthebikeguy.com/tools
▶SHIRTS
bit.ly/RJBikeGuyShirts
▶WEBPAGE
RJTheBikeGuy.com
