DA 7800 good deal ?

mr_eddy

What is the DA 7800 groupset like ?

I have the opportunity to buy a near mint condition DA groupset (shifters/Mechs/chainset/brakes) for £150 - Seems like a steal to me but would it be a backwards step in terms of performance compared to my current Tiagra 4600 ?

Both have external gear cables which I am fine with and both are 10 speed so my current 10 speed 12-25 cassette should be ok.

The Tiagra I think is a few years newer than the DA also the Tiagra has covered 1500 miles (all of which were me) whereas the DA has apparently covered 3000 (dry miles only) - Given the condition (near mint) I am tempted to believe the chap selling, I know him quite well so I don't think he would screw me over and he is properly minted so I don't think he is bothered about getting a few more quid selling online etc

My bike is not really DA material (sub £700 Alu road bike) but if I can get DA 7800 for £150 then sell my old Tiagra stuff (again near mint) for say £100-£150 then I could end up with DA for literally nothing. I think the DA stuff looks really classy especially the chainset so I am very tempted.

I have heard that 7800 is one of the best shifting DA groups ever but I have never been lucky enough to have DA so not sure

Thoughts ? Anyone currently use DA 7800 ? Is it reliable and smooth shifting etc?

moonshine

i don't think DA 7800 has hidden gear cables....

yip.. correct - external gear cables - http://si.shimano.com/pdfs/ev/EV-ST-7800-2258.pdf

Mad_Malx

moonshine wrote:

i don't think DA 7800 has hidden gear cables....
yip.. correct - external gear cables - http://si.shimano.com/pdfs/ev/EV-ST-7800-2258.pdf

The OP agrees:

mr_eddy wrote:

Both have external gear cables which I am fine with

svetty

Largest cassette sprocket on DA 7800 IIRC is 27 tooth so you would be limiting your lowest gear options should you change cassette. Also the brakes won't be quite as good as the later design. It will be considerably lighter tho.....

Front shifting won't be quite as good as it lacks the long lever arm front mech.

I'd buy it from him for £150 and then ebay it - probably as separate components - for considerably more if I were you

moonshine

Mad_Malx wrote:

moonshine wrote:

i don't think DA 7800 has hidden gear cables....
yip.. correct - external gear cables - http://si.shimano.com/pdfs/ev/EV-ST-7800-2258.pdf

The OP agrees:

mr_eddy wrote:

Both have external gear cables which I am fine with

ah.. good spot! i didn't notice that he had noted this. :oops:

ugo.santalucia

I'd buy it

MisterMuncher

7800 was Shimano's best 10-speed group, bar 7970 Di2. 7900 and it's derivatives (6700, 5700) had hidden cables and all, but didn't shift nearly as well.

mr_eddy

Thanks for replies, I think I will give it a punt.

gotwood25

If you don't buy it please tell him I will happily take it. :-)