It appears that there are similar threads, so I'll reformulate it with more specific questions and taking the cue from comments.
I am assembling my brand-new touring bike on a LHT frame, and I'd like to make STI shifters work on it. My setup at the moment is
- shifters shimano 105 STI
- crankset shimano LX 48-36-26
- cassette+chain 10 speeds shimano XT
Apparently to make STI work with rear MTB derailleurs, one needs to take the 9 speed RD, since new 10 speeds have different pull ratio. What concerns me most, at the moment, is the dirtiness that comes from the choice:
- using a 10s chain on a 9s rear derailleur, due to different thickness
- using a road FD (e.g. shimano 105 triple) with a MTB RD and with a 48-36-26 crank
- other issues that you will suggest
do you think it would affect shifting smoothness and durability of the setup to use this kind of melting-pot solution?
bonus question: on this compatibility reference, are you aware of any difference between shimano SHADOW XT RD and normal XT RD?
bonus solution: I am not a STI religious, so if issues are real I might shift to barends to make a fast and long lasting fix. Anyway, I'd like to stay on brifters if problems are not that significant.
thanks a lot!