Bicycle Mechanics - Flat bar road bike shifting options

I've got a 105 front derailleur that I would like to use with some shifters for flat handlebars. From what I know Shimano makes some rd-440 or 660 flat bar shifters but they are always paired with a R443 front derailleur (on all the bike manufacturers website specs anyway, Jamis Coda etc.). What's the difference between the two and is it possible to use the 105 front derailleur with the shimano 440/660 shifters?

Would any of shimano's mtb xt or xtr shifters be compatible?

Also are any of Sram's shimano compatible shifters an option? They claim on their website that the Attack trigger shifters are compatible with any front derailleur. Is this because they don't use indexing for the front?

Thanks :)

I converted my wife's Trek 520 tourer to flat bar. We first used the basic Deore mtb shifter with her 105 front derailleur. We also changed the drive train to mtb XL triple chain rings for the lower gearing. The 520 has an XL mtb derailleur rear. The Deore worked fine with the 105. However, I later upgraded the shifters to mtb XT's and the front derailleur to XTR. They shift much more easily and more positively. It made a big difference for her as she has some arthritis in her hands.

The new design XT which I put on my new mtb, shifts as well as the XTR and should be more reliable than the old XT design. It's also a lot cheaper than the XTR.

Al

For my wife's flat bar road bike I used SRAM beacuse the front shifter is essentially a friction shifter that will work with any front derailleur. I am using a Gipiemme triple f. derailleur that was never intended to index. It works fine. BTW, my wife understands grip shift much better than trigger shifting.

-Doug