K. Legaspi

Hey, everyone.

I'm sorry if this is a repost. I've searched for a good couple of hours but couldn't find anything on this topic. Sorry in advance.

The situation is, I have a spare bike which is a Trek 5200 OCLV from 2002 or 2004, I can't remember which. It has a 9 speed Ultegra componentry except for the FD which is a DA but I am not sure of exact models. I'm sure it is whatever model they were selling back in '02 or '04. I want to make it a 10 speed and upgrade the shifters and rear derailleur since the shifting on my components are kinda iffy at this point.

I got a really good deal on Ultegra 6700 shifters and was wondering if it's compatible with the 105 5700 rear derailleur. And will it also work with the older DA front derailleur and older Ultegra brake calipers? What cable set should I get for all these to work together? Is there anything special I'd need done to make this work other than:

6700 Shifter + 5700 RD + 10 Speed Cassette + 10 Speed Chain + Cables ???

Sorry for the noobish question but thank you for being patient.

Cheers and happy riding!

Bah Humbug

Yeah, 6700 and 5700 are fully compatible.

sfrider 

You might even be able to use 10spd shifter + 10spd cassette with a 9spd derailleur... I *think* the pull ratio is the same.

K. Legaspi

Thank you, now to find out if it will work with the older Ultegra brake calipers, Dura Ace front derailleur, etc.

Hmm... Can anyone confirm this?

After doing more research it seems as if I currently have the Ultegra 6500 9 speed Groupset but still unsure of the Dura Ace F/D. It could be 9 speed 7700 Front Derailleur or 7800 10 speed Front Derailleur.

liquefied

You can definitely use 9-speed DA or Ultegra derailleurs and cranks with 10-speed shifters. The only limitation I know of is tooth capacity in the rear. I think 9-speed derailleurs are limited to 26 or 27-tooth cassettes.

I had a bike set up with 6700 shifters, 7700 RD and 7700 crankset and it worked flawlessly.

K. Legaspi

It will still shift through all 10 gears with the 6500 9 Speed?

My spare 10 speed cassette is an 11-25 so I think it's clear of that and the crankset that is currently on the bike is a FSA Gossamer Compact 50-34.

AdelaaR

You can basically do anything with Shimano as long as the shifters match the cassette and chain wheels.
On my hybrid I have a mix of SRAM, 105, SLX, Ultegra & XT.

liquefied

Assuming your RD is not toast, it will work.

K. Legaspi

Awesome, it's definitely not toast as it still shifts. All the iffyness is probably just a tuning problem.

Is there a certain cable set I need to use to make the shifters work or could I just use the same cables? What about the brake cables?

AdelaaR

Cables are cables as long as they're long enough it'll work.

bigfred 

I have no problem using an Ultegra 6500 RD with DA 7900 Brifters. However, with 7900 Shimano did use a different pull ratio for the FD. Nothing a bit of handy work with a file can't fix by removing a bit of the cable positioning point on the deraileur.

Otherwise I believ they have been realatively consistant in the cable pull ratios.

K. Legaspi

Thanks for the help, everyone. It was much appreciated.

If the 6500 RD doesn't want to work with the 6700 shifter then I'll probably just pick up a 5700 RD.

Cheers and happy riding!

longbeachgary

I had heard that the 7900 will not work well with any other brake set.

bigfred 

This is true, depending on one's definition of "well". Correction on my part, the 7900 levers are paired with 6600 series Ultegra. My 6500 series Ultegra is using the 6600 levers.

With regard to brakes: The 7900 levers are designed with more cable pull and are designed to be paired to calipers with longer arms (required more cable movement). Paired to the 6600 calipers as mine are, you can leave a bit of extra clearance between pads and rim because you have cable pull to spare. But, the reduced mechanical advantage of long cable pull means the braking feel is "Firm". Not an issue for myself, as I am quite large and have XXL hands to match, which also happen to be reasonably strong. It's not a pairing I would recommend for women, those with small hands or who like light brake modulation.