This old thread revival has some useful info and pics.
viewtopic.php?t=98154
Shimano front shifting
Re: Shimano front shifting
Peugeot 531 pro, Dawes Discovery Tandem, Dawes Kingpin X2, Raleigh 20 stowaway X2, 1965 Moulton deluxe, Falcon K2 MTB dropped bar tourer, Rudge Bi frame folder, Longstaff trike conversion on a Giant XTC 840, Giant Bowery, Apollo transition. 
Re: Shimano front shifting
I'm new here and found this thread as currently having problems setting up my attempt to "modernise" an old MTB.
I'm trying to run Tiagra 4700 left hand (2x) shifter on drop bars, with XT 750 crankset with granny ring removed to act as a 2x and XT 737 front mech to absolutely no avail, including with the cable attached on the "wrong" side of the bolt.
I tried a Tiagra 4700 2x front mech which of course didn't work as wouldn't move far enough over to get to the outer ring.
Would a Tiagra 4703 front mech with limits set work or am I better off trying to "bodge" the cable attachment point on the XT 737 (similar to what I've seen earlier in this thread)?
Any help gratefully received!
I'm trying to run Tiagra 4700 left hand (2x) shifter on drop bars, with XT 750 crankset with granny ring removed to act as a 2x and XT 737 front mech to absolutely no avail, including with the cable attached on the "wrong" side of the bolt.
I tried a Tiagra 4700 2x front mech which of course didn't work as wouldn't move far enough over to get to the outer ring.
Would a Tiagra 4703 front mech with limits set work or am I better off trying to "bodge" the cable attachment point on the XT 737 (similar to what I've seen earlier in this thread)?
Any help gratefully received!
Re: Shimano front shifting
neilob wrote:Thanks for the replies. I’m about to rebuild my Thorn tourer with straight bars and I was hoping to avoid changing the 105 mechs (9 speed triple) to operate with 9 XT triple shifters. If it can’t be done (and I didn’t expect it to work!) then a new front mech is the cheapest way to compatibility. Obviously the rear mech will be fine, and I have got a pair of flat bar road pull brake levers so it’s not a major crisis.
Shimano make Tiagra flat bar road shifters. If you're swapping to flat bars, and therefore presumably need to buy new shifters, you could use them: https://bike.shimano.com/en-EU/product/component/tiagra-4700/SL-4703.html.