Quick compatabilty question...

[toolonglegs]

Shimano Ultegra 9 speed shifter with 9 speed cassette ( 12-27 ) and chain but 10 speed Ultegra derailleur.... OK?
or
Shimano Ultegra 9 speed shifter with 9 speed cassette ( 11 - 34 ) and chain but 9 speed XTR derailleur.... OK?

[ozdavo]

All should be fine. Internal size on 9 & 10 speed chains are the same; & Shimano 9 speed road & MTB have the same pull ratio I believe.

[toolonglegs]

Ta, not worried about the chain... just wasn't 100% sure a 10 speed derailleur would work with 9 speed shifter.
... or that 9 speed Shifter would work with ( old school ) XTR derailleur... the question being do I go 11-34 or 12-27 .

[ozdavo]

The third page down would indicate that you should be fine:
http://www.shimano.com/publish/content/global_cycle/en/us/index/tech_support/tech_tips.download.-Par50lparsys-0025-downloadFile.html/01)%20Drivetrain%20Compatability%20Chart.pdf
ie Shimano 9 speed shifters (Tiagra) will work with 10 speed RD's (5600,6600,7800) with.9 speed cassettes. The assumption being your shifters pull the same as the Tiagra ones.

[toolonglegs]

Cheers for that, in the end I have gone the full climbing machine... 9 speed Ultegra shifter with 9 speed mtb cassette ( 11 - 34 ) and XTR longcage rear, 9 speed chain and 38 / 48 front.
Was a bit worried that the 38 / 27 wouldn't get me up some of the real steep stuff... in last weekends race we had one pinch that I wasn't finding too easy in the 38 / 28 ... but now I will have plenty to play with.
It will be a bit more agricultural but considering most of the time it will be covered in mud and grass that is fine .