Shimano Dura Ace 7800 Chainset - Double - Hollowtech II

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

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Advantages: Great Value, great suspension, good alround bike
Disadvantages: Slightly weighty, not much else!

...is spot-on - It has got me out of a number of situations where on my old MTB I would have stacked it. Drivetrain has been a little bit hit and miss - in particular the rear mech, but a new rear mech cable has sorted the problem out (one of the teflon coated inners), and the rest of it I can't fault. The one draw back it has is that it is slightly on the heavy side, particularly noticible on long fire-road climbs, but to be honest, for £1000 you expect something that can be improved. I've set about this and have just purchased a new XT rear mech and Cassette - hopefully XT hollowtech II chainset/BB will follow, which will help greatly in this regard, as have the Kenda kevlar tyres - I recomend them too!... Read review

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Advantages: Cheap, extremely durable, abuse tolerant
Disadvantages: Poor crank choice, may not be suitble for extreme use

..., and now the latest big thing are external bottom brackets. X-type from Race Face, Hollowtech II from Shimano, and GXP from Truvativ. While they have different names they are all interchangeable, as they are all made to similar specifications and similar dimensions. Each "improvement" has led to stiffer and lighter BB's, with a marked decrease in durability. The latest BB's can last as little as 3 months on a mountain bike, if ridden in wet and muddy conditions. ISIS are particularly bad in this regard, but the new external BB's are in a class all of their own. Mounting the BB outside of the frame, makes them extremely vulnerable to water penetration and early failure. The UN54 will give you an average service life of around 18 months to 2 years, and this reason alone may be enough to persuade you to stick with square taper. My last one a UN... Read review

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