Compatability of Shimano road and MTB controls

frankblackcat

Quick one hopefully, I'm completely rebuilding a Dawes 653 synthesis, and am probably going to repace the current LX drive with XT. But, this is also an oportunity to switch to drop bars, so question is, will road controls match with MTB mechs?

Thanks.

nicklouse

as long as the speeds are the same yes, BUT you may have some issues with the front mech.

maddog 2

rear yes

front is trickier. If you run a MTB triple chainset and MTB front mech then the road STI won't pull enough cable for it to work. There are tweaks to get round this but a better/simpler option is to run a road triple chainset and road triple mech instead, which would be fine.

CarlosDSanchez

What type of brakes are you going to use? Road brake levers won't pull enough cable to work with V brakes

frankblackcat

Thanks, that's all helpful. So, reading the above, if I were to use XT hubs and rear mech, with road chainset and front mech, road controls would be OK.

re the brakes, I'm planning on sticking with cantilevers, though haven't decided what I'll replace the LX ones with, they're sill OK but getting old and tatty. Suggestions of what's a good choice would be welcome.

maddog 2

if I were to use XT hubs and rear mech, with road chainset and front mech, road controls would be OK.

yep

you'll need cantilevers rather than standard Vs as Vs need more cable pull than STIs provide. Having said that MINI Vs are an option which work okay with STI I think (do some research on that before taking my word for it).

Otherwise, any decent Shimano cantilever is the obvious choice. Parkers have some.