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Downtube shifter with XT?

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Old 12-17-07, 06:44 PM
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Downtube shifter with XT?

I would like to do a downtube shifter with my 8spd. XT. Is this possible? If so, what shifters can I get, index or friction?

Thanks
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Old 12-17-07, 09:11 PM
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Does your frame have mounting bosses for downtube shifters? If it does you can certainly use them with XT derailleurs and an 8-speed cassette. You can use either friction or 8-speed indexing shifters as you wish. In fact, Shimano indexing dt shifters have a friction option so they are a one-size-fits-all.
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Old 12-17-07, 09:43 PM
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Originally Posted by HillRider
Does your frame have mounting bosses for downtube shifters? If it does you can certainly use them with XT derailleurs and an 8-speed cassette. You can use either friction or 8-speed indexing shifters as you wish. In fact, Shimano indexing dt shifters have a friction option so they are a one-size-fits-all.

Yes I have downtube bosses. I was wondering more about brands that would work. You say Shimano DT?

Any others? What are some good cheap ones?
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Old 12-17-07, 09:54 PM
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Hillrider was referring to "downtube" when he said "dt."

As long as the eight speed shifters are Shimano but not Shimano Dura Ace, any modern Shimano rear derailleur, excluding Dura Ace, will work in index mode. So the XT rear derailleur will work fine. Eight speed and earlier Dura Ace shifters/derailleurs are in their own little world when it comes to indexing.

Be sure and match the number of "speeds" in the shifters to the number of "speeds" on the cassette if you want to use the shifters in index mode.

Last edited by well biked; 12-17-07 at 10:05 PM.
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Old 12-18-07, 03:22 PM
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Right on. Thanks, BTW.
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