Shimano Components Question

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by Ryan82
I was wondering what are the differences b/t Dura-Ace through Tiagra components? Thanks.

Lighter weight,better finish,more precision,and ALOT more money. The new 04 DA is also 10 speed.

It has also been said that as you go from Tiagra up to Ultegra, durability improves, but that Dura-Ace is less durable than Ultegra in order to save weight. I've never personally tested this theory though.

A relavent side-note: my new DA10 kit is giving me lots of trouble. I'm sure I'll get it sorted out soon enough, but the usual "settling" that happens somewhere in between the first 30 and 50 miles, what with cable-stretch and all, has been a particularly harrowing experience. Has got me and my builder both scratching our heads.

That old 105 bike in the corner has gotten some use this week. Feels great.

*sigh*

I feel your pain, Lokstah - I've currently got a filth-encrusted, battered, abused hybrid with low-end shimano parts shifting 10 times sweeter than my Campag Centaur-equipped Bianchi. But the Bianchi has only about 100 miles on it so I'm hopeful it'll settle down. I just keep repeating to myself, "Campag wears in...Campag wears in..."

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by mjw_byrne
It has also been said that as you go from Tiagra up to Ultegra, durability improves, but that Dura-Ace is less durable than Ultegra in order to save weight. I've never personally tested this theory though.

That theory is pretty lame.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by mjw_byrne
I feel your pain, Lokstah - I've currently got a filth-encrusted, battered, abused hybrid with low-end shimano parts shifting 10 times sweeter than my Campag Centaur-equipped Bianchi. But the Bianchi has only about 100 miles on it so I'm hopeful it'll settle down. I just keep repeating to myself, "Campag wears in...Campag wears in..."

Hate to say it guys, but life is easier when you know how to do this stuff yourself. Sometomes folks really are better off not being on the leading edge. Lots more latitude for a little slop or maladjustment in an old 7 speed system too.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by boudreaux
Lots more latitude for a little slop or maladjustment in an old 7 speed system too.

You nailed it. TEN speed has less room for error in cable adjustment because the cassette is much closer spaced. One way to help eliviate cable stretch is to do the following when building a bike or putting on new cable and housing:

1) Make sure your shifted down into the smallest chain ring and cog in the rear.
2) With out pedaling shift up and put tention on the cable and housing (this helps seat the housing ends and strech the cables).
3) Readjust cable tention as needed.

Note - If you do not work on your bike often and are not comfortable adjusting a derailure, then please take it to a good mechanic. (I don't want to be the reason your shifting is off on your next ride).

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by boudreaux
That theory is pretty lame.

It's not my personal theory, I've heard it from staff in several decent bike shops - are they all mistaken/deluded/making it up? Besides, it's not unusual for the very high-end kit to be less durable than mid-range stuff, e.g. race wheels vs. training wheels, race tyres vs. training tyres.

Quoted post said:

Hate to say it guys, but life is easier when you know how to do this stuff yourself. Sometomes folks really are better off not being on the leading edge. Lots more latitude for a little slop or maladjustment in an old 7 speed system too.

I know how to get a drivetrain working smoothly - the battered old hybrid that I mentioned in my post didn't work like a dream straight off the shop floor, I tweaked it until it was like that. It's just that the Campag drivetrain is giving me a little more trouble than usual. It happens.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by mjw_byrne
It's not my personal theory, I've heard it from staff in several decent bike shops -

Possibly the worlds worst source of factual cycling info. With all due restpect to some who are not morons.

The staff in decent bike shops are "possibly the world's worst source of factual cycling info"? Gimme a break. I'm talking about good bike shops, the ones in which the staff are all enthusiastic, experienced cyclists themselves. I'm not talking about Walmart.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by mjw_byrne
The staff in decent bike shops are "possibly the world's worst source of factual cycling info"? Gimme a break. I'm talking about good bike shops, the ones in which the staff are all enthusiastic, experienced cyclists themselves. I'm not talking about Walmart.

I know enthusiastic, 'experienced' cyclists that that canot find their butt with both hands when it comes to real bike knowledge.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by boudreaux
I know enthusiastic, 'experienced' cyclists that that canot find their butt with both hands when it comes to real bike knowledge.

I have no doubt that such people do exist, but just because you know some of them doesn't mean the people I've spoken to are like that. If you think the theory about Dura-Ace being less durable than Ultegra is lame, why not justify your assertion instead of pointing out there's a possibility that its proponents don't know what they're talking about?

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by mjw_byrne
I have no doubt that such people do exist, but just because you know some of them doesn't mean the people I've spoken to are like that. If you think the theory about Dura-Ace being less durable than Ultegra is lame, why not justify your assertion instead of pointing out there's a possibility that its proponents don't know what they're talking about?

Have them write the white paper on it.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by boudreaux
Have them write the white paper on it.

What are you, twelve? Get over yourself.

Why get steamed over opinions. boudreaux has his opinion, you have yours. I happen to agree with boudreaux. I have found an inverse correlation between bike mechanics who talk about how much they know and bike mechanics who can do the work as it should be done. IOW, the more the boasting, the lower the performance.

I'm fine with people having opinions, what I'm not fine with is when I try to help someone out on a forum and someone uses it as an opportunity to try and pick holes. boudreaux isn't trying to help the original poster, he just likes to be contrary.

Quoted post said:

Originally posted by mjw_byrne
I'm fine with people having opinions, what I'm not fine with is when I try to help someone out on a forum and someone uses it as an opportunity to try and pick holes. boudreaux isn't trying to help the original poster, he just likes to be contrary.

And you call baseless generalizatons 'help'?

I assume that by "baseless generalisation", you're talking about my post where I say that Dura-Ace is sometimes said to be less durable than Ultegra. First, it has to be a generalisation because no-one can speak for every individual groupset, I am just talking about Ultegra and DA groupsets in general. This ought to be obvious. Second, it's not baseless - I've read/heard this from several independent sources, and while it's possible they could all be completely wrong, I find that unlikely. The original poster can read my comment and they might choose to do a little research, and if they find nothing to back it up they can feel free to ignore it and no harm has been done, but if it turns out I was right, then it will have helped. Can you say the same about "Have them write the white paper"?

Here we go again.

Anyways, I'm a mildly competent home bike mechanic; I understand the general workings of a drivetrain and I maintain my bikes myself, unless things get really wonky.

I rarely work with bike shops, personally. I'm sure there are excellent shop mechanics out there, and plenty of lousy ones as well. I'm lucky enough to hang out with some team mechanics whom I trust pretty deeply, and they help me with new builds and major issues.

My problems with the new DA10 aren't the apocalypse; they're simply minor adjustment issues that I've been unable to get dialed quite right because of the closer tolerances. The last few days, it's performed pretty badly for me. It's a new product and it's taking some getting used to. I, or my builder, will figure it out. Period.