Which retro Shimano shifters are best

[Carsen80]

I'm getting together the parts I need for my Lotus XTR.
One of the items I need are a set of 3x8 speed ST-M900 shifters.

However I read somewhere else on this forum that M900 shifters look great but are not all that and to use the XT version ST-M737/738 which are better(also a lot cheaper).

My question is, does anybody have experience of either/both types, things to look for and which ones are better.

This bike is not going to be a wall queen it will be used on the road and light off road. I would prefer the M900s but if the XTs are discernable better I will go that route

Finally if anyone has either shifter type for sale drop me a pm.

Thanks
Jonathan

 

[k-rod]

Re:

I believe member Hunspecialized has a very decent pair of the XT 3x8 version of the shifters you are wanting/asking about available at a quite reasonable price ... look for one of his threads on the for sale forum ...

 

[Carsen80]

Re:

They look perfect, however I thought the Deore DX ST-M095 shifters where only for 7 speed setups?

The setup will have a M900 rear hub and m900 8 speed cassette so would those shifters be compatible?

Its why I was thinking of the DX M738 shifters as they are for 8 speed setups.

 

[k-rod]

Re:

oops - I'm pretty sure he did have a pair of M738 shifter/brakes on there somewhere, for around 49 pounds ...

Might want to p/m him and check ...

K

 

[Gaddmeister]

Re:

M900 came out in 92 and M738 94, so a couple of years development in a very rapid developing time. What year is the Lotus? M950 came out in 96?

 

[integerspin]

I like the M950 shifters.

 

[My_Teenage_Self]

I've got M900 on my lotus.

Anything less would be sacrilege...

 

[Gaddmeister]

Re:

There you go! Problem solved!

 

[yagamuffin]

I've never got on with used STIs from the era - it may be I've only had really abused sets but they never work that well. If you can find NOS or maybe VGC then go for it but I always prefer thumbies - I think XT had the extra click, not sure about DX.

 

[Gaddmeister]

Re:

Both extra click. They're the same but different mounts. XT alloy, DX steel.
Never had issues with sti's. More issues with getting thumbies to work on 8 speed. I've just swapped back to sti's. M740'so.