Take the 2-minute tour ×  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:    1. which