Bikeradar gallery

First ride: Dura-Ace 7900

The aluminum chainring bolts thread from the back directly into the outer chainring.

  • New tooth profiling results in noticeably better shifting up front.
  • Dura-Ace 7900 isn't quite here yet but it's not far off, either.
  • With so much hype surrounding the launch, can Dura-Ace 7900 possibly live up to its billing?
  • The new lever shape is far more comfortable than before.
  • The slight outward cant means the lever is easier to reach.
  • Derailleur cables are now concealed beneath the handlebar tape and can be run on either the front or back of the bar.
  • The new FlightDeck will be far easier to install than previous iterations; just remove the stock cap, plug in the new units and off you go.
  • Shimano still uses tiny little screws to remove the stock plug but they're now captured so you can't lose them.
  • You must first remove the front plate to access the reach adjustment screw.
  • The shifter guts are now surprisingly exposed to the elements…
  • …and only the lever hood provides a modicum of coverage in key areas.
  • The lever hood fit is also surprisingly sloppy.
  • One undeniable star of the group is the new crankset.
  • Shimano says the new crank is both lighter and more rigid than before.
  • The spider is far deeper to accommodate the new hollow outer chainring.
  • Even though it's deeper, the spider uses less material so it's lighter.
  • The new hollow outer chainring is noticeably difficult to bend by hand.
  • The new chainring is actually made from two sheets of aluminum that are bonded together. Separate plugs are inserted for the chainring bolt threads.
  • The aluminum chainring bolts thread from the back directly into the outer chainring.
  • The non-driveside crankarm still attaches via the familiar pinch bolts.
  • Rear shifting feels virtually identical to that of 7800.
  • The carbon fibre pulley cage might be lighter than 7800's aluminium one but it also feels far flimsier.
  • The new front derailleur uses a wider cage so there's no chain rub in the big-big combination yet shift performance is still superb.
  • Shimano now uses different side plates for the outside…
  • …and inside of the chain for better shift performance.
  • New 7900 cassettes add a fourth titanium cog and there are more ratio options to suit more casual cyclists.
  • More aggressive milling sheds weight as compared to 7800 without sacrificing stiffness.
  • Braking performance on Dura-Ace 7900 is stunning with superb power and modulation matched with outstanding lever feel.
  • Milled-out arms maintain overall stiffness while shedding needless grams.
  • The lower brake barrel adjusters improve cable routing on more smaller/more compact frames and lower/shorter stems.
  • The new hubs features aluminum axles that are more rigid axially and a revised bearing adjustment system that most will find easier to use.
  • Simply use two 5mm hex wrenches to remove the axle end cap…
  • …remove the indexed locking ring and then adjust the cone by hand. Reverse the procedure for reassembly and you're done!

Showing 19 of 33

The aluminum chainring bolts thread from the back directly into the outer chainring.

© James Huang