cyclotoine

I have a late 80's dura ace 7402 model RD and a set of DA 8 speed shifters. the question is, can it only be used with an 8 speed dura-ace cassette of the period? Or will any 8 speed hyperglide cassette work? thanks, also can I use the 8-speed shifter with different rear derailleurs?

luker

The eight speed works best with an eight speed derailleur. I have used this successfully with a Sachs 8-speed freewheel, or with ultegra or 105 cogs on a freehub. The derailleur's travel arc is tuned to work with the serrations in the shifter, and so you can rapidly grow problems trying to mate a 7-speed derailleur with an 8-speed setup (it often works, though. Just not as well as the matched set).

Of course, you can always just turn the clicker off. Then you can use just about anything.

cyclotoine

Thanks... when you say 105 or ultegra cogs on a freehub are you talking about UG or HG? What I really want to know is can I purchase a modern 8 speed HG cassette and have have successful results using the DA RD and shifters...

Road Rash

Recently I set up a bike with Shimano 600 (8Spd) RD, Dura Ace 8/9spd Bar End shifters and an 8 spd HG Cassette and Chain with no problems.

avenan

The inter-cog spacing on the 8 speed DA was the same as other Shimano 8 speed. The differences were in the cable pull to derailleur movement. The issue was more in using a non-DA derailleur with DA shifters, and vice versa. As always, Sheldon Brown has your answer: https://www.sheldonbrown.com/dura-ace.html.

You should be able to use any HG cassette. If you're using Uniglide hubs, it gets more complex...

cyclotoine

hey thanks guys, I thought no one would answer and let the thread go to the bottom, I have been to sheldon brown's site about it since. I intend to get a new 8-speed cassette and use the shifters with the derailleur on that. Cheers!