Originally Posted by
badger1
Not that it helps the OP, but ... this (thread) exemplifies why I went with SRAM when rebuilding my Spec Sirrus; Shimano seems a dog's breakfast re. compatibility issues when it comes to flat-bar stuff. I simply did a pick 'n mix from SRAM (Apex f/d, r/d, crank/bb; Rival chain/cassette; Double-Tap 10spd) ... has worked perfectly from the get go (and lighter than 105).
Not for nothing, but if you had used an X9 or similar FD, you would have the same issues. SRAM double tap flat bar shifters were set up for all road cable pulls, so they work with all of the road series. An X9 MTB shifter set, also flat bar, would be lovely with the Apex RD, but not the Apex front. I use SRAM X9 stuff on my flat bar road bike, but had to use a Shimano 440 FD to get road curvature and MTB pull. And I found this solution right here on BF (insert shameless plug here)