chalol

Hello,


I know Shimano says that only a Dura Ace RD (RD 7700 for 9 spd) is compatible for index shifting with Dura Ace bar end shifters. I have heard that there are others that will be index compatible, i.e. mountain RD's. I'm looking at the shimano LX 661. Sites like Rivendell say that this will work for index shifting. Yes, No? Any suggestions? I like this RD as it will acommadate an 11/34 cassette, which I hope to put on my commuter bike.

And yes, I want to use index shifting or at least try it out with bar end shifters.

Thanks for reading!

Chalol-

Bianchigirll 

Shimano always tried to keep the DA from working with other systems to keep manufacturers and customers from upgradeing to only a DA RD or downgrading after breakage or damage.

It is possible that a differetn RD would work but wether it works correctly and crisply as a DA. It might be a trial and error issue.

chalol

Thanks Bianchigirll,

According to Sheldon Brown, https://sheldonbrown.com/dura-ace.html#indexing any post '97 Shimano RD would work. Did I read that right? Should I not doubt Mr. Brown? I just want to get some first hand knowledge and recomendations from this site before I buy the LX 661 RD from Wiggle in the UK.


You have some very nice bikes, I enjoyed looking at them. Thanks Again,

Chalol-

Gonzo Bob

Which bar-end shifters? I don't think there were any labeled "Dura-Ace" prior to 9-speed so my response assumes 9- or 10-speed.

Any non-Dura-Ace SIS RD would work (even a 1986 Shimano 600 SIS would work although not with an 11-34 cassette) or a post-1997 Dura-Ace RD (7700, 7800, 7900, etc.). The LX 661 will work. Basically any Shimano EXCEPT old Dura-Ace 7400 series and the new Dyna-Sys stuff.

HillRider

Are you sure Shimano makes that claim or was it someone else like your bike shop guy? AFAIK, once past 8-speed (7400), any Dura Ace shifter is compatible with any other Shimano rear derailleur model of nearly any "speed" era from 7-speed onward. One other exception is the new Dyna-sys 10-speed MTB rear derailleurs that aren't compatible with any Shimano road derailleur or 9-speed or earlier MBT rear derailleurs.

Gonzo Bob

The 9-speed bar-end shifters (SL-BS77) have a sticker on them that says "Compatible with RD-7400 (8s) or RD-7700 (9s)". While correct, it is incomplete and implies that you need an RD-7700 to run 9-speed.

fietsbob

That is what is used on lots of touring bikes, with 9 speed Shimano drivetrains.
long cage MTB RDer, is used to get the chain wrap up of wide ratio triples.

they called the 8 speed, 'ultegra'. material quality is similar..

one use, time trial and Tri bikes with aero bars, puts the end levers
out in front..
then the short cage DA RD's are probably what they think about.

cycle_maven

The amount of cable pulled per click is the same for an 8-speed cassette with a 7400 derailleur, and a 9-speed cassette with nearly every other derailleur that Shimano makes or made. Notable exception is Dyna-sys 10-speed. So the OP's bar-end shifters will work with the derailleur he suggested and a 9-speed cassette.

Jeff Wills

That's because you're reading into it far more than it says. Shimano standardized the cable-pull/rear-derailleur-movement ratio when they introduced 9-speed. Any 9-speed Shimano shifter will index properly with most Shimano index-compatible rear derailleurs on a 9-speed cassette. The exceptions are the "8-speed" and previous Dura-Ace rear derailleurs and the new Dyna-Sys 10-speed mountain bike rear derailleurs.

chalol

Thnaks all. You guys answered all my questions. That sticker on the Dura Ace shifter is misleading. I really appreciate the feedback.

Again, thanks for all the help

Chalol-

macbobster

Just bought some of these from Jenson, Shimano instruction sheet says, "this shifting lever cannot be used with any rear derailleur other than the Dura Ace". I will soon be attempting to prove this to be "BS".

70sSanO

Not only is this an old thread, the Dura Ace compatibility issue basically ended in the mid-90’s.

My understanding is that there were never any 6, 7, 9 or 10 speed Dura Ace bar end shifter.

In the index era Shimano bar end shifters never used the “group” designation, 6400, 7400, 7700, etc.

The designation was SL-BS50, 64, 77, 78.

Dura Ace 7400-7402 were the “only” Dura Ace RD’s with a different actuation ratio than other Shimano index RD’s. It was 1.9 vs 1.7. That caused Dura Ace shifters to pull less cable for 74XX RD’s.

SL-BS50-8 was the only bar end shifter designed for Shimano Dura Ace; 7402 8 speed systems.

If you bought SL-BS77 bar end shifters, they work with any 1.7 RD.

John

Edit added: I believe the Dura Ace only is for 8 speed. The SL-BS77 will only work with an 8 speed cassette if a Dura Ace 74XX RD is used.

macbobster

Thanks John! This thread was useful as I just scored a set of SL-BS77's from Jenson for $90. FWIW they came in a Dura Ace box . Looking forward to 9 speeding the old Haluzak Horizon, the motor needs some help.
Merry Christmas, MAC

70sSanO

Nice score on the BS77’s.

Have fun and Merry Christmas back at you.

John