I-Spec XTR shifters with XT brakes?

[Muahdib]

I have some 980 XTR Shifters and was curious if anyone had mixed and matched them with the new XT brakes. I know I'll need to get the i-spec covers for the shifters but obviously want to know if it will work before I get them. From pictures I've seen it looks like it should work. Also tried searching and haven't found anyone that has done it.

[BJF]

I was actually wondering something similar. I have XTR trail brakes right now but I might get a new bike that has xt brakes with the I spec XT shifters. I was wondering if it will be easy to add my xtr brakes to the bike.

[Peri]

Every new Shimano Brake Lever (from Deore BL-M596 to XTR BL-M98x) are I-Spec compatible. I have XT and XTR brakes and shifters installed on my bikes and they work in the same way, and looks great!

[Muahdib]

What I wanted to hear! Thanks for the reply.

[venture]

Shimano makes XT and XTR ispec brackets - can either be used with any mix of XTR/XT brakes and shifters?

[DexTan]

Old thread (?), but i just recently attached an ispec Saint shifter on an XTR M980 lever.

[scotteric]

I'm curious how people like I-spec as far as shifter placement. It appears you can move it a bit but not sure it would be enough for me. Would love it if some people posted pics of theirs.......thanks

[in the trees]

Old thread (?), but i just recently attached an ispec Saint shifter on an XTR M980 lever.

Me, too. Same set-up.

[Jumpcaser]

thanks for the recent bump dextan and confirmation in the trees. I'll be going to saint i-spec paired to xtr in the offseason and I was just wondering about this!

[DexTan]

thanks for the recent bump dextan and confirmation in the trees. I'll be going to saint i-spec paired to xtr in the offseason and I was just wondering about this!

Sure thing!

I wear XL gloves and brake one-finger, so the levers are a little further away from the grips than normal, the i-spec shifter is all the way towards the grip, that's how i have it set up on mine.

[shanem]

I could never get comfortable with the i-Spec setup. I ended up going back to separate brackets.

[scotteric]

I could never get comfortable with the i-Spec setup. I ended up going back to separate brackets.

Can you be more specific? I run my brakes pretty far out from my grips and am wondering how this might affect shifter placement.

[shanem]

Can you be more specific? I run my brakes pretty far out from my grips and am wondering how this might affect shifter placement.

Well I like to run my brakes fairly close to my grips and my shifters further out. It wasn't too bad but with the i-Spec you cannot adjust the angle of your shifters and levers independently and I wish that you could. I could certainly get by with the i-spec but couldn't get exactly what I wanted. I suppose that if I had lockout levers and suspension adjustment levers on my bar too I'd go with the i-Spec but I feel more comfortable with separates.