what does STI mean
 

i am looking for shifters for my project bike.i will be running shimano dura ace crank and cassette and some sort of shimano deraileurs not sure what yet probably 105 or ultegra.but on the shifters i have noticed some say STI. what does that mean??

Shimano Total Integration

Both brakes and shifters in one controller

& they designed the whole drivetrain to work together as a package. cranks/chainrings, both derailleurs, shifters, cassette, etc.

thanks. marcus..ti i thought it was some big technical thing.

so when i figure out/decide what deraileuers i am going to run. I should get the same corresponding shifters.

cassette cog ('speeds') count and clicks in the shifter have to be = and probably same as the rear derailleur brand/model

though often 105 and the ones above and below it in cost. work OK.

I would figure out what gear range you need , 1st... flatlander or mountain pass bagger.

Shimano's MTB will work when you max out past The road RD's capacities

Used often on tour bike builds..

thanks fietsbob. appreciate the help

It is, in the sense that if you want things to work properly, the whole drivetrain should be STI.