Help needed with new Dura Ace 7900 levers.

mad spinner
mad spinner Posts: 27
edited January 2010 in Workshop
Hi All, This is my first time posting on your forum... i have all ways been a campag (Record) man when it comes to builting a bike. But last year my cycling pal talked me into going with a Dura Ace 7800 groupset... :?: from day one i have never liked the 7800 sti levers... So iam going to put on the new Dura Ace 7900 levers . Will i need to replace both front and rear mags? And what about the brake calipers....Hope someone can help with this......

Comments

  • celbianchi
    celbianchi Posts: 854
    I believe that despite what Shimano might say that the calipers from 7800 work fine with 7900 levers.
    I have just invested in 7900 on my race bike and had a bit of a check around, as well as asking the LBS mechanic. Rear mech should be ok too. and if the rear mech is ok, I don't doubt the front mech will be (but I have not enquired about the friont mech)
    Shouldn't be any issues.
  • Monty Dog
    Monty Dog Posts: 20,614
    Gear mechs are fine - in fact many teams ditched the 7900 rears and replaced them with 7800s because of a weakness with the jockey wheel cage - ask Mark Cavendish who had one fail on him. 7900 brakes do have different cable pull actuation but people still get away with 7800s.
    Make mine an Italian, with Campagnolo on the side..
  • what brakes
    what brakes Posts: 328
    as far as my research went if you get the 7900 levers then you idealy need the 7900 brakes as stated above they work on a different ratio, as does the front mech. They may work but not at their best which means you are wasting money inho....

    If you google the 7900 grouset like i did you will come up with lots of info regarding the front/d, brakes and the 7900 levers! then you will see why im noty going down the 7900 upgrade route!
  • alan_sherman
    alan_sherman Posts: 1,157
    Ideally you want the matching brake calipers and front mech.

    You can get away with the old style brake calipers but breaking will require a bit more force.

    If using an old front mech it might be tricky to set up to have no chain rub as there is no front deraileur trim position in the 7900 levers, and the cable pull is different to 7800 series. (Ultegra 6700 levers do however have backwards compatability with older front mechs and retains the trim positions tough). Really you should get the matching 7900 front deraileur

    Rear mechs are still cross compatable.
  • mad spinner
    mad spinner Posts: 27
    Many thanks to all of you who did reply.....Will take all on board and make my mind up regarding this.....Safe cycling to all. :)

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