Litespeed Avior Dura Ace 9 Speed

Advantages: Top of the range "bling" rear mech
Disadvantages: 9 speed "only", superceeded by RD-7800 10-speed version

...I bought this rear derailleur to replace an Ultegra mech when upgrading my bike from 8 to 9-speeds (well, 16 to 18 speed really with my double front chainset). Apparently, this mech is also compatible with 8-speed systems, you just need to change the cable mounting position. Dura Ace is the name of Shimano's top of the range group of bicycle components, or "groupset", for road race bikes, and the 9-speed 7700-series was introduced to the public in 1997 after Shimano sponsored riders using Dura-Ace 7700 series equipped bikes in 1996. Year by year, it's been enhanced, and this review is of rear mech from the 2004 model year. For the non-bike-ophiles among you, the rear mech (or mechanism) is the device at the back end of the bike that moves the chain across the muliple cogs (cassette) on the back wheel to change gear - bigger cog... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: strong
Disadvantages: expensive

...Being a keen biker i have to recomend this chain ring for all those bikers that ride Dual, Downhill and Dirt riding. This ring will offer speed at a price though. I personally ride dirt and dual and Shimano make superb Quality product. However this chain ring is mass produced and so it lacks the personalized touch that other manufacturers give to their chain rings. I would recomend this as my second choice chain ring as i feel the Middle burn rings are slightly better. All in all a poor buy. I do not recomend this product.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Cost, Reliability, Looks etc
Disadvantages: None

...to last, which this will. This is a 9 speed model, meaning it'll work on a bike with anything up to 27 gears, but will also work fine with 24 or 21 speed systems (from my experience anyway). Once properly set up with a compatible shifter such as one of Shimano's own (there is also an LX 9 speed shifter, which is just as good value) and a half decent cable shifting is smooth, quick and accurate - you put the shifter in a gear and the mech follows properly. Apart from the more-expensive-than-it-actually-is looks, this mechs main features are its light weight (only 288g), 9 speed compatability, and a number of small but useful things that you usually only see on more expensive models, such as rubber boots to keep dirt out of the cable to keep shifting smooth. The mech can cope with up to a 34 tooth cassette, and right down to 11. The majority... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful