Shimano R550 Clincher Front Wheel

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: Strong, well made, functional
Disadvantages: Nothing yet.

...SPD INTRO Shimano M072 shoes are SPD cycling shoes so here's a quick explanation of what SPD is. For those who may not know SPD stands for Shimano Pedaling Dynamic. All very nice I hear you say, so to explain they are Clipless pedals. Basically you get a pair of shoes, bolt on some clips to the shoes, get a pair of SPD pedals which are like a clamp, step on the pedals and your feet are locked to the pedals. Rotating your feet to the side then releases you from the pedal. (not as dangerous as it sounds). GENERAL Shimano mountain bike shoes have been around for a number of years now and in my opinion if you are a user of SPD pedals then you can't beat Shimano PSD shoes for reliability. I have used number if different types over the years, most of which I cant remember the name off and ones that usually found the bucket because... Read review

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Advantages: Easy to fit
Disadvantages: Tricky to adjust ,at least if it's your first time

...Well, s*** in a bag and punch it, Chris has written a short(ish) one! If ever there was an item that I’ve bought purely on price, it’s my Shimano 105 ‘rear mechanism’ for the pushbike I’m currently cobbling together. The name ‘Shimano’ is now very nearly ubiquitous*, especially on new bikes bought from Halfords, the PC World of the biking fraternity! That of course is not necessarily good publicity, but since I’m only putting together a ‘hybrid’ bike, in more senses than one, I’m not into ‘Roll-Royce solutions’. A hybrid bike would I suppose have been called a ‘tourer’ the last time I was into buying a new one, it having fairly slender less knobbly tyres compared to a mountain bike, with similar gears but larger diameter wheels, (almost as large as a racing bike) and straight handlebars. When I say ‘rear mechanism’, if you... Read review

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