Hi people i was looking for a bit of advice regarding da 7800/7900.firstly,apart from price and looks,whats the difference?also,my bike currently has new sora-if i got da 7800 shifters/mechs and a 10 speed cassette and chain,could i use my sora chainset;would it be compatable but also it has done 600 miles so would it run ok with a new chain and cassette?
Thats all for now,thanks in advance for any replies
Dura ace 7800 was shimanos workhorse/ top tier group set for a number of years until the 7900 came out. Depending on who you speak to they may or may not prefer 7900 for a number or reasons. Without making this into a huge post I.e research but to your questions, if you are coming from sora, dura ace will be a huge upgrade witchever model you choose. If your going to replace most of the components, just do it all and be done with it.
Thanks for replying,was really looking to get dura-ace 10 speed quality on a tight budget,thats why i asked about compatibility,planning on building up a complete groupset over winter but was looking for a quick fix just now
7800 shifters have external cable routing. This looks worse but functions better and doesn't break the cable ends inside the shifter. Guess which ones I have!
If you really feel you need Dura Ace and have the money then go for it.
But if you're new to cycling let me say that this idea doesn't make financial sense.
1. A bike with new Sora is an entry-level bike with a fairly inexpensive frame. The frame is the most important part of the bike. It can be worth it to upgrade a high-end frame but not an entry level. It is like putting gold-plated wheels on a Kia.
You'll spend as much or more than the price of the bike and it won't be twice as good. Maybe a little lighter and it will shift a little better but it won't be faster or handle better or even much more reliable.
2. If you really want to upgrade, buying the group piece by piece is the most expensive way to do it. The basic DA9000 groupset is $1300 at Merlincycles.com. If you buy that set a piece at a time it would cost much more.
3. There isn't a world of difference going from Sora all the way to DA. DA might cost 4x+ as much but it is not 4x better for most riders. I've read posts here where some have said that a well-tuned Sora group shifts 90% as well as DA.
Financially, the best way to upgrade is to ride your bike as it is now, save your money and get a higher quality bike later. Then sell the old one.
If you really must upgrade; want 10-speed for example, just get Tiagra or MicroShift levers and a new cassette. That will cost you about $150 and will show you that Sora isn't all that bad.
Check into getting a better wheelset and tires for a few hundred. That will likely make more difference than the groupset would.
7900 has a different brake cable pull ratio. Will work with 7800 but it wouldn't be optimized. Most opinions I've seen find 7900 more powerfu; and stiffer but not as good with modulation.
Cranks are supposed to be stiffer but vast majority of people can't tell. I still think 7800 is the better choice. Looks better, and external shifter cables are much better to service.
I think upgrading a Sora bike is absurd, unless you found a DA group at a steal price or if the frame is considerably "reputable" (CAAD, Allez E5, etc).
Thanks for your replies!i understand there'd be no point putting a da grouppo on my bike-a focus culebro 5-thats why i was enquiring about compatability.i plan to get the parts off ebay.i know to you guys it may seem daft but if i can get da quality for around £200 then why not!?ive already upgraded my wheels and tyres,i got cosmic elites and ultremo tyres
if i got da 7800 shifters/mechs and a 10 speed cassette and chain,could i use my sora chainset;would it be compatable but also it has done 600 miles so would it run ok with a new chain and cassette?
Since Shimano just introduced Ultegra 6800, I think you might do better to consider an Ultegra 6700 upgrade to include chainset. While DA 7900 shifters and derailleurs are a tad lighter than 7800 and shifting 10-speeds on the back is very nice , there are some (my wife included) who have trouble shifting into the big chainring due to the rather long lever throw required with the DA 7900 front shift lever and derailleur combo.
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