Originally Posted by
wgscott
Yeah, it looks like the flat-bar version is basically SLX group-set, which is about what I want (I cannot tell the difference between it and XT without looking). They haven't posted anything about the parts for an assembled drop-version. This is where I begin to wonder how I am going to deal with the shifters, if for example I have an SLX (or XT) mechanical derailleur set, will this work with 105 or Ultegra "brifters"? (That is also part of the motivation for wondering whether I could use butterfly trekking bars or Jones bars or something that would be mountain-bike shifter compatible but work better with this frame than a flat-bar.)
Butterfly bars are made to replace flat bars. They would bring your hands back a few inches from where they would be on the drop bars. Butterfly no. Jones? Some people say yes. I have not tried them and can not say. Many people say they are comfortable as replacements for drop bars. I use bar end shifters. They work with xtr double and xt 10 speed cassette. Brifters no. Late model road and mountain shifters do not cross over.