I have a 9spd Ultegra cassette lying around which I would like to use with one of my classic rigs. The assumption that I have been living under is that everything within the Shimano domain can me mixed and matched with exception to dura-ace. Does this apply to vintage components as well? I absolutely do not want to convert my beloved bike into a modern/sti vehicle, so my question is this: can I use 9 speed DA downtube shifters with a 9 speed Ultegra cassette? The reason I chose DA is because it is the only 9 speed downtube shifter that I see out there. Are there any 105 or other 9 spd shifters in existance? I realize I can use virtually any dt shifter in friction mode and it will work fine, but I love the indexed feature.

You must match the RD and the shifters, not the cassette, with Dura Ace. I know of no other Shimano 9-sp DT shifters. Use the 7700 RD, and you'll be fine.

If the shifters are specific to the derailleur, wouldn't they be specific to the cassette as well? It seems to me that these components would be directly related...but what do i know,im just a noob. I am not questioning you, i just want know why dura-ace is specific in that way. I am assuming the cassette spacing is the same in all shimano classes within the same speed.