Cyclocross - Dura-Ace 9 speed vs. SRAM Rival

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View Full Version : Dura-Ace 9 speed vs. SRAM Rival

FiveThirteen
07-05-10, 08:24 PM
I'm building up a new cross frame and have two groups I could use for the build: One is a 9-speed Dura-Ace 7700 group, the other is a new 2009 SRAM Rival 10-speed group.

This will be my first venture into CX racing - I live in Northern Cal right now but am moving back to the Boston area next year.

Any advice on which group to use?

gus6464
07-05-10, 10:20 PM
Rival
FiveThirteen
07-05-10, 10:24 PM
Rival

Cool. Why?

Cynikal
07-06-10, 10:53 AM
Rebuildable. If you dump a DA shifter into the sand it will be toast.
FiveThirteen
07-06-10, 11:12 AM
Interesting, didn't know that, thanks for the info.
ImprezaDrvr
07-06-10, 01:42 PM
You can get wider gear ratios with the newer 10 speed stuff, too. With a double up front it's not a huge deal, but you can run a bigger bailout gear.
gus6464
07-06-10, 02:38 PM
Plus the Rival setup might shave a few grams compared to the older DA 9-speed and you still get a fantastic 10sp group. What cassette are you planning on going with if you went with the 10sp? Are you going to get a Rival CX crank or just a regular compact crank?
FiveThirteen
07-06-10, 02:42 PM
Plus the Rival setup might shave a few grams compared to the older DA 9-speed and you still get a fantastic 10sp group. What cassette are you planning on going with if you went with the 10sp? Are you going to get a Rival CX crank or just a regular compact crank?

For the Rival setup, I think I was going to go for a regular compact with an 11-28 in the back but I'm open to suggestions.
gus6464
07-06-10, 02:43 PM
For the Rival setup, I think I was going to go for a regular compact with an 11-28 in the back but I'm open to suggestions.

A compact with an 11-28 should be plenty for racing. If you need wider than that in a CX race you might as well get off the bike and carry it. Do you also have a road bike?
FiveThirteen
07-08-10, 10:54 PM
Yup, I am a Cat 3 roadie. I'm now thinking I should go 38-48 and 12-27...
pretzelface
07-09-10, 02:45 PM
I'd venture to say that a 46/38 with an 11-23 gives a wide enough range for racing. Save the wide-range cassettes for the single-ring setup, IMHO. Then again, I'm the wimp who tools around in his bailout gear for 80% of the race, swearing up and down that he'll never do another cross race again. Taking away the big cogs made me much faster.

Another reason to go with the Rival 10 instead of the DA 9 is that you're presumably running 10-speed on your road bike. Why not give yourself the option to switch wheels freely between the two?
FiveThirteen
07-09-10, 03:01 PM
I'd venture to say that a 46/38 with an 11-23 gives a wide enough range for racing. Save the wide-range cassettes for the single-ring setup, IMHO. Then again, I'm the wimp who tools around in his bailout gear for 80% of the race, swearing up and down that he'll never do another cross race again. Taking away the big cogs made me much faster.

Another reason to go with the Rival 10 instead of the DA 9 is that you're presumably running 10-speed on your road bike. Why not give yourself the option to switch wheels freely between the two?

Yup, all of this is true, sounds like Rival is the way to go. Interesting opinion on the gearing issue, I'll have to look into it a bit more...

Thanks to everyone for their help!