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Ultegra n Dura Ace mix - advisable, doable?

by phax71
Wed, Sep 15, 2010 14:36
8

Heh all

Back again with another noobie question ..

So the gearing on my first Roadbuild is my next consideration and I'm pretty much 99% likely to run Dura Ace front and rear .. I've just been offered some unused Ultegra SL STI shifters though at a reasonable price.

My question is: Is it doable to run these Ultegra STI's with Dura Ace mechs and if so is it advisable?

I've mixed and matched Shimano stuff in the past on my old MTB and my commuter so I'm guessing so ... anyone know any different though?

Secondly, if mixing it all up is Ok, would it be wise to skimp on the Dura Ace front and switch to Ultegra (I'm thinking more about cash than owt else as the costs are racking up quickly). I've always run higher end rears than fronts ...

Cheers all!

If you're new please join in and if you have questions pop them below and the forum regulars will answer as best we can.

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8 comments

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Ciclismo | 14 years ago
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Hi - it can be done, but requires some skill to set up as the new Ultegra 6700 and Dura-ace 7900 have different pull ratios for the front derailleur and brakes. But once set up it works flawlessly.

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richardvaltos | 14 years ago
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Dave Atkinson's advice is spot on. It's not complicated. As long as you don't mix the differing series 6700/7900 shifters/components. Stick with same series and you can mix it up with Dura Ace/105/Ultegra.

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phax71 replied to richardvaltos | 14 years ago
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Thanks again guys

Not sure I understand what is meant by "series" in this context. I have now gone ahead and purchased:

Ultegra 6700 Front Mech
Dura Ace 7900 Rear Mech
Ultegra SL 6600 STI's

My mechanic reckons no worries, are you suggesting otherwise?

Cheers, appreciate all the advice on here.

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dave atkinson | 14 years ago
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*old* dura ace (pre 7900) is fine with *old* ultegra (pre 6700) and vice versa; mixing the two is less good. Also, new Ultegra isn't designed to work with old, same for Dura Ace. 7900/6700 is the break point. specifically, if you were going to buy a new ultegra front mech to go with your SL shifters it wouldn't work so well, since they've changed the spacing on the chainset. spacing at the rear hasn't changed though so there's no real reason why your SL shifter wouldn't drive a new rear mech just fine.

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phax71 replied to dave atkinson | 14 years ago
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Cheers
Thats a little more involved than I expected, I may just run the whole Ultegra setup, lets face it .. could do worse ... 1
Cheers!

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phax71 replied to phax71 | 14 years ago
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Hello again ..

Ok was in LBS this morning speaking to mechanic, he reckons there's no problem in running DA and Ultegra componentry together, providing they're all 10spd components they'll work perfectly .. He's built two bikes for me in past and knows his onions so I trust his judgement ...

Now I'm confused .. Anyone else want to weigh in?

Cheers

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trikeman replied to phax71 | 14 years ago
0 likes

Hi, new on here but hope I can help out.
I have a Colnago CLX with both front and rear 7900 mechs and they work superb with Ultegra STI's no problems at all.
Hope this helps.... 4

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phax71 replied to trikeman | 14 years ago
0 likes

Cheers..

Yeah, think I'm gonna go ahead with original plan then.

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