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darkmoon

rear mech


7700







25th

smd4

Ah, the soul of the groupset—the rear derailleur. The regular version is nice. The lettering can look almost purple in some light. I’ve also seen examples where it seems the lettering is Sun-faded to near invisibility.

The 25th Anniversary version does not have that problem. The white lettering stands out beautifully against the mirror-polished side plate. The lettering on the pulleys is nice too.

I was somehow in the right place at the right time, and picked up a near-mint 25th Anniversary version earlier this year for US$149. Now I can’t find them for less than $350, often with noticeable scuffs and scratches.

I swapped the DA pulleys on mine for Omni Racer aluminum ones. Didn’t have to make any other changes—the mounting bolt and cable fixing bolt are already titanium (as is the other pivot bolt, I suspect, since the color is different than on a standard model—though this isn’t advertised). And of course it has stainless steel parallelogram pivots, also noticeably different from standard issue.

Thanks for posting these comparisons, darkmoon!

smd4

Something interesting (well, maybe not really), is there are no date codes on the 25th Anniversary parts. Maybe they weren’t necessary since the parts came out in 1998.

georges1

The rear derailleur dura ace RD 7700 was superior to the campy record for me,I have ordered two RD 7800 because I wanted twenty speeds. Yet my fave cranks are the FC7700 with the BB7700 bottom bracket and probably the FD 7700/FD 7800 front derailleurs.

smd4

I stayed away from the 7700 bottom bracket, using a 6500 one instead. From everything I’ve read, I’m glad I made that swap.

darkmoon

hubs



7700
Front hub is 7400, using since 1985
(7700 rear has been used since 2000)
But QR skewer is changed to 7700.
7400 skewer isn't good.







7400 front, Dura Ace logo is engraved.









25th

smd4

I always liked the 7400 quick releases, with their blind lever end. If they weren’t mostly steel l’d still be using them.

I also liked the fact that the lettering was engraved on the 7400 stuff.

The 25th Anniversary stuff is gorgeous as usual.

georges1

Shimano dura ace hubs are for me among the nicest in design, the very best in quality and the most reliable on the market

darkmoon

Dura Ace hubs are clearly improved since 7400.
They are very good in design and quality as georges1 wrote.
Of course, they look cool, hahaha.

But 1 problem, chrome.

Until Dura Ace EX, 7200, hub lock nuts were chromed.
Chrome, it looks good really, but in case of practicality it isn't.
When secure the lock nut and cone after the adjustment or maintenance of the bearing, the lock nut slips slightly.
Because of the smooth surface of chrome.
The bearing best condition, smooth moving and no play, is broken.
Another adjustment and securing of them is needed.
Usually it needs some times.

But Campy 1st gen Record hubs, I don't wanna admit, hahaha, are uncontestably better.
Lock nuts are black oxidized.
They look cheap but are very practical.
When the lock nut and cone are secured, the lock nut doesn't slip and the bearing condition stays best.

Campy have learned what is needed and isn't, in the long bike race history.

As for Shimano, they started the black oxidized hub lock nut since 7400.
But, 7400 chrome of the QR lever and adjuster isn't good and strong against Japan's high-temp + high-humidity summer.
It is prone to rust and peel off.
Again, I don't wanna admit, hahaha, Campy 1st gen Record chrome of QR lever, housing and adjuster is much better and stronger.

I haven't used 8speed Dura Ace, 7410, but 7700 hubs are improved at every problem, major and minor, until 7400.

georges1

I never realled cared about Dura Ace until the 7700-7800. 7900 went with the darker finish which wasn't very Dura Ace like. The price tag on Campagnolo Record and Chrous is generally more expensive of 35% to 45% compared to Shimano and for older models spare parts availability is much lower than Shimano.I prefer Shimano for many reasons,better quality price ratio, great reliability and durability as well as enough spare parts for older models of transmissions.

Classtime 

If somehow you have or will have a 7700 BB, give it a try. So smooth and not too much trouble to maintain for such smoothness.

smd4

I believe the main benefit of the 7700 bottom bracket was its light weight. There’s nothing really “unsmooth” about the 6500 BB, but there is a slight weight penalty. I think this is outweighed by its robustness.

Classtime 

In the hand, the 7700 is smoother than a 6500. On the bike, with cranks installed? Hard to tell the difference. I like that I can rebuild my 7700 while the 6500 is disposable/consumable.

smd4

I’d get one just to tinker with it.

Keefusb

If you want a sealed BB unit and it must be Dura Ace, Shimano makes a track version, the BB-7710. I have seen it for about $60 bucks.

masi61

‘I’ve seen those 7710 ones and wondered if they would be compatible with a 7700 double crank. Would the chain line be the same (or close enough) to work with 7700 or 7701 double road cranks?

Keefusb

My understanding is that the BB-7710 only comes in the 109.5 spindle length which would support a double or single chainring setup. I believe that the lock rings are also made out of steel instead of aluminium. So it would be heavier than the BB-7700.

I have stashed a few new in the box BB-5500's in case of future failures since 3 of the family bikes use 7700 and 6500 components.

I have had excellent service from the BB-6500 and BB-5500 units, the first failure I have had was a BB-6500 that was installed in 2002, and it didn't give up the ghost until the last 5 miles of a metric century charity ride last summer, with somewhere north of 20k miles on it. If I get the same level of service from the currently installed BB's, I will be in my 80's and looking to taper down my bike habit a bit by the time the current round of BB units begin to fail.

smd4

This seems to be an excellent compromise.

BMC_Kid 

Same here. When I built up my last Dura Ace bike, a titanium Quattro Assi, I went with 7800 10 speed, except for the crankset which I prefer the 7700. To me, it is tied with 7410 as the best looking crankset. I hope it’s ok to post this here even though 10 speed. Since this time, I dabbled in SRAM 10 speed and now Campy 11.



Taking it out today with new tires and fresh handlebar tape.

smd4

A gorgeous bike, for sure. But I think the overall looks of the 7800 group definitely signaled the beginning of the end; just not quite as elegant looking as 7700. For me, 7700 is the pinnacle.

Wish my cranks had the "Octalink" logo.

BMC_Kid 

I don’t disagree with you. I have 9 speed DA 7700 on other builds but wanted 10 speed for this particular build. Heading out for a nice ride.





I have some 25th DA that I removed from a bike that I have converted to Campy 11 recently and I and don’t plan on using it. Message me if you’d be interested in it.

Eric F 

Still shifts just as crisply and reliably as it always has...

smd4

Beautiful Miyata and Colnago!

georges1

very fine fine bikeI am not muchafan of the 7900 and later dura ace series which are not very dura ace like , with the rear shadow derailleurs, Dura Ace became ugly