Dura Ace 7900

[Fire]

Hi all the tech guru's out there.

 

Is the new Dura Ace 7900 shifters compatiable with other derailers? Like the Dura Ace 7800, or SRAM rival/red???

 

thanks

[BogusOne]

Not by the looks of it Fire.

 

Took this of the net:

 

A final note on our understanding about backwards compatibility:

Rear

Drivetain -- The 7900 system is only compatible with other 7900

components. The 7900 rear derailleur is compatible with 7800-series

cassettes, but that's it. There is no other cross-compatibility. This

also means that 7800-series components cannot be used in piecemeal with

7900 if your plan is to upgrade one component at a time. More or less,

you'll need to upgrade to 7900 STI, rear derailleur, cassette, and

chain in one fell swoop.

Front Drivetrain -- Same story.

There's an Iron Curtain between 7900 and 7800. The only kinda, sorta

compatibility is between the 7900 front derailleur and the 7800

crankset. Shimano states "slower shifting may occur depending on frame

dimension" if you choose to mix things like this. We're not sure if

"dimension" means frame size or geometry or what. But we can't imagine

someone running a full 7800 bike with the exception of a 7900 front

derailleur, so it's not something we're terribly worried about.

Brake Systems -- The 7900 STI Levers are compatible with 7800-series brake calipers

 

 

 

Here is a link to the website:

 

http://dirt-boy.blogspot.com/2008/03/2009-dura-ace-7900-news.html

 

[GIRR]

Apparantly you can mix the '09 and '08 Dura-ace and the statements of not being able to mix the groupos by shimano is BS, read the comments at the bottom of the review.  Two guys who have the '09 Dura are mixing and matching without problems.

http://www.bikeradar.com/gear/category/components/gear-shifters/product/st7900-dura-ace-shifter-09-34695

[Fire]

Thanks guys.

 

Erm, .. but still don't know for sure yet...

 

Where is Johan B when you need him???

 

 

 

[Mr Mulebar]

Hi Fire, I worked for shimano for 5 years in the UK. Although it is possible to run the new shifters with older shimano components it is by no means recommended. The shifting will not be as smooth and quick and because of the slightly different pull ratio the setup will be more susceptible to cable tension issues. I personally still run 7800 Dura Ace and have to say that the only real reason to upgrade to 7900 are the brakes, the stopping power is eye popping!! But again these require a complete upgrade

[Fire]

Thanks MuleBar!!!

 

Guess 7900 will be on hold for now!