Take the 2-minute tour ×  I have an old Colnago I want to
resurrect, which after some Google-ing I have discovered is very
similar to the bike here (but in blue):  I want to replace the
drop bar brakes with "standard" brakes on the handle bar (this
bike isn't for racing, just going around the city and it's more
comfortable like this). So I am thinking of taking off the old
brakes, re-taping the bars and fixing some new levers to the
bar.  The brakes are like these:  Problem is, I have never done
this before and it's a first time. So my question is: do I need
anything special to convert it? Or can I just use some standard
v-brake levers?  After this the next question is I want to
replace the whole crankset, cassette, pedals - the works. Brakes
first though.  Edit: By "standard" I mean what this bike has,
but with both sets of brakes.  share|improve this question If
you continue to use drop bars, use drop bar brake levers and
possibly "cross brake levers" in addition. If you find a
straight bar more comfortable