Originally Posted by Squeeze

Whoa! First, let me say I'm a n00b at this stuff but I've been eagerly following this thread since last summer and keep wondering why I haven't put drop bars on my '93 rigid MTB.

I mention I'm new at this because I hope this hasn't been asked a million times before. If it has, I haven't seen it.

STI brifters work with Deore XT derailleurs?

If so, that changes everything in my mind. Bar-end shifters don't really appeal to me. Having quick and easy shifters at hand as on a straight-bar MTB is pretty nice, and I didn't want to lose quick shifting to gain drop bars.

But I could go for STIs! My RD is a Deore LX and I assume the front is too but don't know for sure sitting here at work with the bike at home. (Yeah, I drove the car today. I know, I know...)

Can I just slap on a set of STIs and just adjust the cables without any major surgery? My understanding has been STIs require "road" derailleurs, not "mountain" Ds.

Thanks.