Monoborracho

I have recently upgraded my '05 Fuji Absolute.

Will my XT shifters work with the F/D for this set up? If so, could I install a Flight Deck system (assuming I have the right harness and all)

The bike started life as an 8 speed,
Deore R/D
Shimano FD-443 F/D
SL-R-440 shifters
SRAM PG-830 11-32 8 speed cassette

I came across a chance to upgrade so have now installed the following;
XT M-750 R/D
XT M751 shifters (have installed rear only)
XT CS M750 11-32 9 speed cassette
Dura-Ace 9 speed chain.


I still have the stock FD-443 front DR. The front runs a Truvativ Isoflow 30/42/52 Chainring, so I had some concern about the XT shifter working for this setup. When I upgraded the rear it all went together flawlessly. The rear shifting is great, and I didn't even have to adjust the limit screws on the rear D/R. I just don't know if mixing the XT components with the 52 tooth front ring is going to work.

Will the XT front shifter work with the current setup? If so, would a Flight Deck be worth it?

maddmaxx 

I think the FD-443 is the only front derailleur that is guaranteed to work with this setup. This derailleur was designed to mate road sized cranksets to MTB flat bar shifters.

If the flight deck matches the shifters the all should work as the computer derives all of its information from the shifter. (except for the speed input from the front wheel which is traditional.)

Monoborracho

That is what I thought, which is why I haven't swapped the front shifter yet.

Per this page from Sheldon Brown https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/derailers-front.html

R453 (formerly R443) for "road" chainwheels with straight (mtb) handlebars $39.95
This is the only model Shimano makes that is designed to work with full-sized chainrings, up to 53 teeth, and with shifters made for upright (mountain) handlebars.
This is a great choice for converting a drop-bar road bike to upright handlebars. Available for standard 1 1/8" (28.6 mm), 1 1/4 (31.8 mm) and braze-on mount.

So will the XT derailer shift it was well as the R-440, with the same spacing? If so it should work. On the other hand, I could drop back down to some smaller chainrings I guess, since I don't crank much on that big 52 tooth anyway.

maddmaxx 

It has worked for me on flatbar conversions for road bikes using LX levers.