Dura-Ace 2009 unveiled at the Tour de France

2009 Shimano Dura Ace on the Garmin Team Bikes - Pic Chris Wallis

ProTourNews Technical Editor David Arthur takes a look at 2009 Dura Ace

There’s been a lot of talk about the unveiling of Shimano’s update for its top-flight Dura-Ace groupset, with the company slipping in various prototypes are early season racers. The Tour de France however, gave us our first proper glimpse of the production-ready replacement for Dura-Ace on the Team Garmin/Chipotle Felt Team Bikes. (We also spotted the group at the Giro)

2009 Dura Ace - Pic Chris Wallis

Dura-Ace 7900 is the evolution of 7800, and Shimano claims its latest groupset “sets a new benchmark in top-level road racing components.” With the weight savings Shimano has made and the now slicker and crisper shifting, they might just be right.

The chainset receives a radically new look that looks more futuristic than the chainset it replaces. A hollow-rim outer chainring to boost stiffness by around 20% and overall weight is down by 15g, without any reduction in stiffness.

The second component in the groupset that gets a serious makeover is the Dual Control Levers. Levers are now made from carbon fibre and have a more ergonomic shape. Shift cables are now concealed under the handlebar tape thanks to the development of a new internal mechanism that retains the familiar Shimano STI operation. Reach is now adjustable and the hoods have been redesigned for increased comfort and the shift lever has a 20% shorter stroke for faster shifting.

The rear derailleur has a wide gear ratio and can be used with sprockets up to 28 teeth. It is compatible with the use of a compact crankset without the need for a medium cage derailleur. It has a full carbon pulley plate and a carbon/resin composite P-body that helps to reduce the weight to 166 grams.

The front derailleur has a lightweight design and an optimum spring tension for feather light downshifting. Trimming the outer chainring is no longer needed to allow a better concentration on the ride. The efficiency has been improved by using a stiffer and solid wide link design. Weight is only 67 grams.

The brakes have an enhanced brake arch proportion for an increased linear response. The brakes feature new compound blocks that double brake performance in wet circumstances, improve stopping power in dry weather by 20% and offer greater durability.
The new Dura-Ace chain has an asymmetric design and features redesigned inner plates for improved contact with the cassette sprockets. Remodeled outer plates reduce the chance of chain suck. The chain sports hollow pins and perforated inner plates to make it lighter. Weight is 252 grams, saving almost 30 grams over the current version.

Website - www.dura-ace.com
Availability in the market: October 2008.