Engineering a One-Arm Bike Mod Before the Universe Nerfs Me Again 😅

Hello fellow cyclists,

Sorry for the long message, but I want to explain my problem, my research and my questions in detail.

I was born without a right arm, but I've been cycling since I was a child. Now I want to buy a gravel bike that's well equipped for my disability so I can go on long-distance trips. To do this, I need to be able to operate the brakes and gear shift with my left hand.

Here's what I'm looking for in detail:

• If possible, I'd like a road bike handlebar. If all the equipment only works on a mountain bike handlebar, I will probably go for the Surly Corner bar (https://surlybikes.com/products/corner-bar), which will allow me to install them while maintaining a road/gravel approach.
• For the brake lever, I would like to have equipment that allows me to have two levers so that I can control the rear and front brakes independently. I would prefer mechanical/cable brakes rather than hydraulic ones. This will make maintenance easier when travelling in remote areas.
• For the gear shift, I will avoid front chainrings, as this will mean one less control on the handlebars. And for the rear control, I would also like it to be mechanical/cable-operated, for the same reasons as the brakes. But it seems that electronics could be a solution. 

Of course, that's the ideal situation. I'll probably have to make some compromises, but I want to have all the options available to me, to make the best choice.

Currently, I have an electric hybrid bike equipped as follows:

• For the brakes, I went with the Hope Tech 3 Duo (https://www.hopetech.com/fre/products/brakes/xc/tech-3-duo/). They're really good, but the only thing I'd like to change on the new gravel bike is that they're hydraulic brakes and I'd prefer mechanical ones. Secondly, they're also expensive and only compatible with MTB handlebars, not road handlebars.
• For the gear remote, I have an Archer D1x (https://archercomponents.com/collections/shifters-and-remotes/products/d1x-trail-shifter-gen-2-paddle-remote). I'd like to find something else for several reasons:
  • Archer Components has closed down, so I can no longer buy from them and there is no after-sales service.
  • It is unreliable: the derailleur battery has had problems several times and I was sometimes unable to change gears. In addition, as with the brakes, I would like to have a mechanical/cable system.

So, how can I fix these issues and optimize my equipment? The options I've found so far are:

• Find exactly the right products for what I want. I haven't found any yet, but perhaps you know of some that would be ideal.
• If I keep the current brake system (Hope Tech 3 Duo), perhaps I could install a hydraulic/mechanical converter just behind it. Is that a good idea? In terms of repairs, reliability, etc.
• I haven't really found a solution for the gear shifters. Shimano and SRAM do offer electronic shifters (which would be more reliable than what I have now). But these seem to be designed for road handlebars (which don't work with the brake lever), and can I really put them on the left to control the rear derailleur?
• The last solution is to invent everything from scratch. But that seems a bit daunting… 😅
• Secondly, I have another question: is it possible to choose brake and gear controls independently of the callipers and derailleur, or do they have to be compatible and/or from the same brand? I can understand that they need to be compatible on an electronic system, but what about mechanical systems?

So, I'm a bit lost, as nothing is really designed for disabled people. Do you have any ideas? Any advice?

Thank you for taking the time to read this. I'm available if you need more details.