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First ride: Dura-Ace 7900

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.

  • 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!

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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.

© James Huang