Road Brake Levers and V-Brake Compatibility

[wackyjacky1]

Howdy. I'm seriously considering swapping out the flat bar on my Trek 7.2 FX WSD for a moustache handlebar, and I have some component questions:

My bike has Tektro v-brakes. I'd like to have hooded road brake levers on the moustache bars, or even reverse levers. But...I haven't been able to find road brake levers that specify that they're compatible with v-brakes. And if I go with reverse levers, it looks like they plug into the bar ends, therefore I can't use bar-end shifters?

Are there road levers that will work with my brakes? Are there reverse levers that will still let me use bar-end shifters?

Any component advice would be greatly appreciated.

[SadieKate]

There are no STI shifters that will work with V-brakes. But a Travel Agent will make it work.

http://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...vel+Agent.aspx

[KnottedYet]

Sheldon Brown recommends (or should I say "recommended") these Dia Compe 287V levers for drop bars and long-pull brakes.
http://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...ls.php?id=6371

Bar-end shifters would be a lovely accompaniment.

(you'd end up with something that looks like my bike's set up)

Reverse levers would take up the space at the end of the moustache bar, and you'd end up with something like Trek420's mixte's moustache bars. At that point, you might want to put thumbies on for shifting (Rivendell has some nifty set ups) or downtube shifters or something of that ilk.

I've ridden Trek420's mixte and my own bike, and for cruising I love her reverse levers on the moustache bars. For more utilitarian riding I really like my levers which I can haul on when my hands are in the forward curves of the moustache bars. You get a nice bracing effect with your hands positioned in the curves when you brake. (kinda like braking on a mtb)

Edit to add: I have no pictures of my moustache bar, but it looks like the "standard" set up. There are some great pictures of Trek420's moustache bars somewhere... I'll see if I can find it.

[wackyjacky1]

Man, you guys are awesome! Mucho thanks for the quick responses.

I found those Dia Compe levers from an Amazon seller for $39.95, so I think I'm gonna jump on those. JensenUSA has the bar end shifters I need, and the moustache bar will come from Nashbar. Yesss! I'm gonna place my orders today. The bike shop recommended that I order the parts myself 'cause I could shop around for better prices, and he'll do a deal on the labor for me. He said he's looking forward to it 'cause it's gonna be one sweet-lookin' bike when it's all done.

One last question/decision to make: what color bar tape to get?

I am so stoked!

edit: Knotted, if you ever get pics of your set-up, I'd love to see it.

edit again: Hmmm...the Dia Compe levers from the Amazon seller don't specifically say 287V...I guess they're probably the wrong one. Poop.

[Eden]

If you still find you don't have enough braking power with the new levers, changing over to cantilever brakes is about the same price as a installing travel agents....

[wackyjacky1]

a quick fyi: cane creek also makes a road-style v-brake lever (found 'em at webcyclery.com). can't find the dia compe 287v levers anywhere -- everyone has 'em on backorder.