Litespeed Classic 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: Cheap, shifts well, excellent joining link
Disadvantages: Can suffer chain breakages

...-snap-snap Derailleur systems have over the years added more and more gears to the clusters. A few years ago 8 speed was cutting edge. Now 9 speed is standard for mountain bikes, and road bikes have hit 11 speed. Initially extra gears were accommodated simply by adding more cogs to the cluster. Making the wheels wider and dishing them more squeezed on another gear. 9 speed and above needed thinner cogs, and ever narrower chains. If you read the reviews on 8 speed chains, there are virtually no complaints about chains snapping. Read the reviews for 9 speed chains used on mountain bikes and you get problems with chains snapping. They typically break under low pedalling pressure, and after the chain has been in use for a few months. I have not read a satisfactory explanation as to how a chain could snap like that. You can not break a chain simply... 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