Originally Posted by
pinholecam
Bump to this old thread.
I wanted a road bar for the ride positions, but also wanted to run XT for the fantastic wide gear range and inexpensive but very good XT shifters and RD.
IMO, MTB shifters on a road bar (that can fit) is a very good and more modern take on downtube or bar ends options.
Modern and precise indexed shifting within easy reach.
The XT shifter also shifts up 2 gears and drops 3 gears for fast shifting.
Very inexpensive too compared to brifters.
FYI, you don't NEED to use an MTB shifter with that 9-speed XT rear derailleur; it uses the exact same shift ratio as Shimano Road shifters from 6 to 10 speeds. Shimano changed the ratios for 10/11 speed MTB and 11 speed Road, but all the previous stuff is cross-compatible.
So, you could have used a bar-end shifter or STI and still get a wide-range cassette with drop bars.
But it seems like you're happy with the shift action and location of the XT shifter, so good for you.
However, it's still not clear how you managed to fit a shifter with a 22.2 mm clamp on a 23.8 mm handlebar. Could you clarify?