Bicycle Mechanics - Questions Concerning 29"mtb to cross bike

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georgesnatcher
06-13-04, 04:47 PM
I have a 29 inch mtb and have been considering converting it into a cross country type bike. When I bought the bike I had a set of cyclocross wheels made along with the 29"mtb wheels. Also the bike and both wheels sets were made with disc brakes and hubs.
My question is will STI levers work with the Avid mechanical disc brakes that are currently on the bike? The drive train is all "old" 9 speed XTR, will STI work on XTR?
Any help or opinions would be appreciated.

Jonny B
06-21-04, 12:35 PM
You'll need a road front derailer to work with the STIs, but the rear should be fine. Unless you have Avid short pull disks you're in trouble I'm affraid. There is a thing called a Travel Agent that allows the use of V or normal cable disks with road levers, but they're not great. You have two options (three counting the Travel Agents): either use Dia-Compe 287V aero levers and barend shifters (or gripshifters), or get a pair of short pull calipers.
prodigal son
06-21-04, 07:42 PM
I have Ulterga STI levers and an XT front derailer with no problems, on my cyclocross bike.

Jonny B
06-22-04, 01:00 PM
Hmm, I stand corrected. I seem to remember hearing from various sources (including my much-trusted LBS) that it is not possible. Maybe there are different types of MTB derailer.