Converting hybrid to gravel bike, flat to drop bars and brifters?

Question

I'd really like some advice on changing the bars on my bike to drop bars from flat. My bike is nothing special, but I really like it and would like to try to convert it, rather than buy a new bike. I prefer the riding position of drop bars. I've got a biking adventure coming up at the end of October that I'd like this to be done for.
Here's what I'd like to do:

Swap the tyres to Schwalbe Rapid Rob Kevlar Guard MTB Tyre

Change the handlebars to Farr Aero Gravel handlebar, or similar!?

Use my existing brake calipers, but have levers on the new bars

Use my existing gears/derailleur, but have the shifters on the new
bars.

Here is the full spec of my current bike: https://99spokes.com/bikes/pinnacle/2020/lithium-3

Rear Derailleur   Shimano Acera M360 8 speed
Front Derailleur  Shimano Altus M313 band on 31.8mm
Shifters  Shimano Altus M310 8 speed
Cassette  Shimano HG200 8 speed 12-32T
Chain KMC Z-51
Brakes    Tektro Auriga M275 hydraulic discs w/160mm rotor

Is this possible? I'm fairly handy, but not done much work on bikes previously. Could anybody help me in getting somewhere close to a shopping list?!

Vladimir F · Answer

Unfortunately, you will find out there are no drop-bar brifters (STI, brake levers + shifters integrated) for 8 (or 9) speed that support hydraulic brakes. The lowest by Shimano are Tiagra or GRX 10-speed, but they use different cable pull ratio for shifting.
Also, the Shimano MTB brakes are not officially supported even if likely to work in practice. But yours are actually Tektro so you must inquire in their manuals whether those are compatible with Shimano road levers.
Maybe some alternative company has some hydraulic 8/9 speed levers, but be careful about the compatibility with your brakes.
One option to solve it is to use mechanical brakes instead. The other is to buy higher-end brifters and a new drivetrain (costly).
There might also be some incompatibility in the gear ranges used by your front derailleur and front road levers - not sure what here, others may know.

Michael · Answer

Be aware that gravel/road handlebars place your hands further forward by 8cm or so. This means that road handlebars on a hybrid/MTB frame usually only result in a good and comfortable fit if the frame is small (i.e. has a short reach/top tube to begin with) and in combination with a very short stem. If you currently have a long stem (like 100mm) and a small (or even better: too small) frame you could be fine from an ergonomics perspective if you change the stem to a short one (like 30mm).
As Vladimir points out, you’ll also need brifters and there are none which are compatible with your existing components.

Converting hybrid to gravel bike, flat to drop bars and brifters?

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