Thanks, I've always fancied a drop bar mountain bike. After being gazumped on the cross bike last week I decided to convert this.
It had its first off road trip in its new guise this morning. A few miles on road to Hanchurch woods then a blast around the woods, most of it in darkness with the magicshines on full! It was very, very wet and muddy. The drops are excellent for rutted muddy tracks and fast hills. The bar end shifter are amazing on midge bars, they are easy to reach even when using the brakes. I was worried about contacting them with my knees but the flare on the bars stops that. The only thing that feels funny is holding drops when you're in the air
I thought I'd miss the Mary bars but I'm glad I've converted it to drops. Can't wait to try it loaded on a tour.