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Shimano Dura-Ace 2009: official details released

A new bearing preload system promises far easier adjustments than before.

  • The 2009 Shimano Dura-Ace 7900 mechanical group in all its glory.
  • The new crankset is claimed to be 20 percent stiffer and bears a more aggressive look.
  • New for 2009 will be a compact Dura-Ace crankset.
  • The rear derailleur features a carbon fiber pulley cage and a composite knuckle for lighter weight.
  • The general layout of the front derailleur isn't anything new but the feel is lighter
  • Shimano will offer both braze-on and clamp-on versions
  • The new cassettes will be offered in a far greater size range than before.
  • New alloy spiders are supposedly stiffer and lighter.
  • The new chain uses hollow pins and slotted inner plates for lighter weight.
  • The new brakes are among the most striking-looking of the new bits.
  • The Dura-Ace 7900 rear hub will retain the faster-engaging titanium freehub introduced last year.
  • A new bearing preload system promises far easier adjustments than before.
  • The Dual Control levers lever blades are made of multiple carbon layers
  • The levers now have reach adjustment to accommodate smaller hands
  • Flightdeck can now be operated via lever hood-mounted buttons
  • A crew from Shimano arrived at the Team High Road camp at the Giro with the latest prototypes
  • Shimano employees set off at getting the new gear on team bikes.
  • Shimano isn't yet in final production based on these images but these levers look awfully close
  • Derailleur cables are concealed beneath the bar tape and can be run on either side of the bar.
  • The new body shape will provide more to grab on to than in previous versions.
  • The new levers look all-business with their unidirectional carbon brake lever blades.
  • The depth of the new chainring is plainly visible here when mounted on an SRM unit
  • The outer plates are asymmetrically chamfered for apparently smoother and quieter running.
  • This is the most recent real-world image of the new Dura-Ace rear derailleur.
  • The 'Dura-Ace' label isn't on this sample but there's no mistaking what it is.
  • Shimano has apparently cut the forging dies for the new brakes; previous prototypes were machined.

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A new bearing preload system promises far easier adjustments than before.

© Shimano