Road Cycling - Dura Ace compact crank in the near future?

I didn't find anything using the "Search" feature. (I figured we might as well get that out of the way.)

Have their been any rumors of a Dura Ace compact crank coming out soon? Are they substantiated rumors? Is a Dura Ace compact available in Japan or Europe?

[And, although I'm a Shimano guy, what's up with Shimano being so far behind in the compact crank thing? Did everybody else catch them asleep? Did they think it was a fad? Boggles the mind.]

Rumor is yes, but middle 08.

I have the "ultegra level" compact crank, as well as a D/A crank. I can't really see much difference. I would imagine a new D/A compact would have a slightly higher quality finish, and be a couple of grams lighter.
Unless a new D/A compact is done in CF, I don't think it will be very different from the 130 BCD D/A crank.

I
Unless a new D/A compact is done in CF, I don't think it will be very different from the 130 BCD D/A crank.

Except, of course, for the available gearing.

If the D/A compact held true to the other cranks in the series, it would be about 100g lighter than an Ultegra. And it would match the rest of a Dura Ace gruppo.

Cosmetically, there's very little difference between the 7800 crank, and the R700 crank. Other than the chainring being a bit smaller, and the absence of "Dura Ace" on the crank arm you can't see much difference when I switch cranks.

As for weight the 7800 crank weighs 740g, the R700 weighs 764. I doubt that a D/A compact crank will weigh 100 grams less than a D/A 130bcd crank.

As for weight the 7800 crank weighs 740g, the R700 weighs 764. I doubt that a D/A compact crank will weigh 100 grams less than a D/A 130bcd crank.

I'm not comparing it to the 7800. I don't care about how much more or less it weighs than the 7800. (Does anyone select their gearing based on WEIGHT?) I'm comparing it to the ULTEGRA compact crank. (That's the competition, not the conventional double.)

The weights I have on these cranks are: 7800 739g and R700 848g. A 109g difference. For reference, the 6800 double weighs in at 839g. So . . . between the D/A double and the Ultegra double is a 100g difference. There is an identical 100g difference between the two models' triple cranks. That's why I'm predicting that a D/A compact crank would be 100g lighter than an Ultegra. There's a pattern.

FYI - there's already a Dura-Ace compact crank (http://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?page=8&description=Dura%2DAce+Compact+Powermeter+Pro&vendorCode=SRM&major=3&minor=2) available. The only thing is it's attached to an SRM torque measuring spider. Cost, $3,400 US

http://www.excelsports.com/image/SRM%20Dura-Ace%20Compact%20Powermeter%20Pro.jpg

I'm not comparing it to the 7800. I don't care about how much more or less it weighs than the 7800. (Does anyone select their gearing based on WEIGHT?)




If you don't care how much it weighs, then just buy an R700 crank. Perfectly functional, shifts well, looks fine, and most importantly its available now.

Read my posts slowly. You don't seem to get it.

But I appreciate that you keep bumping the thread up.

Then you the posting should have been finished by post 2. The new Ultegra SL group has it's own compact so yes, Dura ace will also have their own too. Pictures are already available for the new ultegra crank.

Honestly, I waited to go compact until Shimano brought one out. When was that? 2005 or middle 2006? They currently have two levels of compact. I have the R700 and can't tell the difference between it and the finish on the rest of my Ultegra drivetrain. Hell, I actually think tour riders were using the current shimano compact back as far as 2004 in the TDF(Hamilton).

I got my R700 with BB cups for $170. If you want to spend probably $300+ for the "new" Dura Ace compact crank, go right ahead. 2008 model. I got blasted for using ceramic bearings but my feelings are if you want it and have the money, buy it especially if you want to match an existing group.

People on this forum spend ridiculous money all the time for lesser upgrades.





Read my posts slowly. You don't seem to get it.

But I appreciate that you keep bumping the thread up.

DA no compact for you.

Only a matter of time. There are now 3 levels: r700, r600, and r4550 (tiagra). An Ultegra labeled compact is an option in the new SL group and I've recently seen a picture of a 2008 Sora-level compact crank over in the Bike Mech. Forum.

This would mean, that instead of conventional triples in the low end lines, they would switch to double compact right? Especially for Sora? I notice that campy is ahead of Shimano in this regard, as they offer compact double for Xenon and Mirage rather than triples.


Only a matter of time. There are now 3 levels: r700, r600, and r4550 (tiagra). An Ultegra labeled compact is an option in the new SL group and I've recently seen a picture of a 2008 Sora-level compact crank over in the Bike Mech. Forum.

Perhaps...but how many bikes with Sora or Tiagra groups come spec'ed with a Shimano crank anyway? Seems like more of those types of bikes come with Bontrager, Truvativ, completely generic, or that match the bike brand (like Specialized). Just seems that Campy-equiped bikes are more likely to have a crank and brakes that match the rest of the group.

I know this is an old thread but the question remains: When will you be able to buy a Dura Ace Compact Crankset? It seems counter intuitive that the technology is being pushed up thru the line instead of down.

I know this is an old thread but the question remains: When will you be able to buy a Dura Ace Compact Crankset? It seems counter intuitive that the technology is being pushed up thru the line instead of down.

When the 7900 comes out this fall "For the first time in Dura-Ace history, Shimano will finally offer a compact version."

http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=tech/2008/features/shimano_da09_rumours_mar08

Am I the only one who thinks if you ride compact you don't deserve DA?

***flame suit on***

Am I the only one who thinks if you ride compact you don't deserve DA?

***flame suit on***

Hasn't that been Shimano's line all along? That Dura-Ace is intended for racers, and racers don't need compact cranksets, therefore DA won't get a compact crankset?

Am I the only one who thinks if you ride compact you don't deserve DA?

***flame suit on***

If you ride anything more than 9sp, you don't deserve compact or weight savings :D

DA comes in triple btw, so why not a compact?

Am I the only one who thinks if you ride compact you don't deserve DA?

***flame suit on***
Yes.:)
While I don't have compact yet as I age they start to seem like a good choice.
I paid my dues years ago racing with a 42/21 and downtube shifters.
I deserve anything I can afford to buy.:D

I would much rather see a compact Dura Ace than a triple. And some of you may remember in 2002 there were some pros that put triples on there bikes, I think it was the Dauphine Libere. The winner of the stage had a triple.

There were pros who had triples in the Giro when DiLuca won. It's a better plan if you want to have more gears, instead of impressing people at coffee shops with the fact that you still have a double. Just sayin'...

The lesson being that a professional probably doesn't care what you think when you count the rings, and figures you won't have long to check them out as they pass you anyway.

This from a slow dude who can't climb who rides a triple, based on a completely accurate assessment of my own capacity.

Compacts are as old as dirt, certainly older than my 1987 Campagnolo Super Record 50-42

http://gallery.mac.com/bbattle/100121/100_0794/web.jpg

With modern wide range cassettes, the compact comeback makes a lot of sense.

When you got it, flaunt it. Nice Campy.

I thought the reason for the bottom up introduction of Compact Cranks is a common tendency to drop a shift now and then and Dura Ace is waiting (development and to grab the crest of the demand) to introduce their crank/derailluer combo before agressive marketing this niche.

As well, many cyclocross racers prefer compact cranks. We all know how CX is blowing up in America and abroad, and it would be foolish of Shimano not to capitalize on that.

Compacts are as old as dirt, certainly older than my 1987 Campagnolo Super Record 50-42

Are you implying that a 42 is a compact?!? Wouldn't a 39-53 be more compact than a 50-42?

FWIW, Shimano missed out on more of my money when I opted for an Ultegra compact to go with the rest of my DA kit.

-murray

Wouldn't the r700 compact match the rest of your dura ace equipped bike better than the ultegra compact crank? It just says SHIMANO, not ULTEGRA .

Wouldn't the r700 compact match the rest of your dura ace equipped bike better than the ultegra compact crank? It just says SHIMANO, not ULTEGRA .

Actually, I think the black finish (dark gray) looks great on my bike.

http://gallery.mac.com/mcmurman/100006/DSC_4477/web.jpg

(those are borrowed wheels BTW)

-murray

Are you implying that a 42 is a compact?!? Wouldn't a 39-53 be more compact than a 50-42?

FWIW, Shimano missed out on more of my money when I opted for an Ultegra compact to go with the rest of my DA kit.

-murray

Compact simply refers to the BCD being 110mm instead of 130mm.

Compact simply refers to the BCD being 110mm instead of 130mm.

Ahh, gotcha :o

-murray

Hasn't that been Shimano's line all along? That Dura-Ace is intended for racers, and racers don't need compact cranksets, therefore DA won't get a compact crankset?

Yep, which is why there will never be a DA triple...
Oh wait...
:rolleyes:

I think it is pretty much a guarantee at this point, cyclocross alone should be enough to guarantee that.

I don't understand the compact hate. With an 11-23 you actually have a bigger gear than 53-12 (we know you are running a 12-25 & some of you actually have a 12-27). If you are scared of being able to come closer to spinning up the steep stuff instead of standing, cranking and nearly blowing a gasket (yes, I noticed how hard you were working), run an 11-21. The R700's shift as nice as your standard double. There is a bit of a funny big/little thing at 16-17mph, but you ride faster than that anyway (at least I do). You can actually shift the front less because you don't have to come out of the 53 as often. If they do go to DA, it should be plenty light. I also don't buy the lack of stiffness. /End of rant/

Wouldn't the r700 compact match the rest of your dura ace equipped bike better than the ultegra compact crank? It just says SHIMANO, not ULTEGRA .

I returned an R700 that I bought last year. It was advertised at universalcycles.com as Ultegra level, but the big ring says 105 on it.

I returned an R700 that I bought last year. It was advertised at universalcycles.com as Ultegra level, but the big ring says 105 on it.

It doesnt say 105, it says 10S, for 10 speed.

This thread is awesome.

It doesnt say 105, it says 10S, for 10 speed.

No *****? LOL
No wonder the guy on the phone didn't want to take it back, but I convinced him. I guess his eyes are as bad as mine. :D

It doesnt say 105, it says 10S, for 10 speed.

!!!

It doesnt say 105, it says 10S, for 10 speed.

:roflmao: