What shifters are compatible with shimano 9-speed? I haven't ridden in anger since around 2003. I have two bikes which I am trying to return to a roadworthy state. Each has a non-functioning right hand shimano shifter.


Racing bike: Ultegra 6500 (9-speed), double chainring
Training/winter/touring bike: 1055 (8-speed), triple chainring


I'm thinking that it would be cost-effective to convert both to shimano 9-speed, as parts (shifters) are likely available second hand, and I have a spare Ultegra 9-speed rear mech that I could stick on my training bike.

Is there a good history of shimano groupsets, so I can work out which 105/Ultegra/Dura-Ace groups were 9-speed?

I see that modern shimano groupsets have handlebar-routed gear cables. Are there any 9-speed compatible shifters which have this? (I remember that there used to be a method for converting campagnolo 10-speed to shimano 9-speed in order to gain this advantage, which I'd be willing to consider if I knew the relevant components.)

In summary, two questions:


which shimano groupsets were 9-speed?
do any shimano 9-speed groupsets have handlebar-routed gear cables?


...or please direct me to somewhere that will tell me this information.
According to the Wikipedia page, the following groupset variations were specifically 9-speed:


Dura-Ace 7700 (1996-2002)
Ultegra 6500 (1997-2004)
105 5500 (dates unknown)
Tiagra before 4600 (before 2011)
Sora 3400 (2012-)


As far as other components go, it seems that as long as the cassette, chain and shifters match then the groupset should work. All Shimano rear derailleurs (excluding early Dura-Ace) have the same shift ratio, so they should work so long as the derailleur has enough travel capacity - use one rated for the same or higher number of gears than in your cassette.