stockae92

Just making sure that if Ultegra 9 speed shift compatible to Dura Ace 9 speed cassette? I imagine they should.

I am current running Ultegra 12-23 cassette, and don't do a lot of mountain, but as I am getting any younger, I am thinking have 12-25 cassette may make the different of having to shift to the small front or power it through when I need it?

And pro and con for 12-23 vs 12-25?

Drew Eckhardt 

12-23 has cogs which run 15-16-17-19. 12-25 goes 15-17-19. I'd run 14-25 15-16-17-18-19 if I wanted that big cog with 9 to choose from or 13-25 15-16-17-19 if really pressed - 52x13 was a big enough large gear for Eddy Merckx to dominate the spring classics, 50x13 is a 30 MPH cruising gear and 40+ MPH sprinting gear, and 53x14 is like 50x13.

I used 13-21 i the 8 cog era with a triple crank providing range without compromising spacing, and 13-23 with 9 cogs.

stockae92

You got a point, maybe I will stick to 12-23 if I can't find 13-25

btw, does Ultegra 9 sp brake levers works with dura ace brake calipers of all years?

shelbyfv

You may have trouble finding a NOS Dura Ace 7700 cassette. If you find one you will certainly pay a premium. 6500 cassettes are still easily found. 7700 and 7800 DA brakes will work fine with your shifters. Older models probably and newer models possibly. Personally, I like the 12-27 because I'm old and ride lots of hills.

Stucky

I just switched my 7700 Dura Ace 11-23 for a Tiagra 12-27...Hmmmmm, now that Shelby mentions it, even used DA cassettes are worth a few bucks...not sure what shape mine is in- maybe I can post pics- might be worth selling.....

mrvrsick

12-23 is the widest range cassette I use, I wasn't happy with the 12-25, and needed something bigger than the 11-21.

That said, while the DA cassettes are nice, it seems like the titanium cogs wear a bit differently than the steel cogs. I don't feel like I've put too many miles on mine and they seem quite a bit more worn. They are also very hard to find NOS, so I'm using it with a few chains that I rotate through. It won't be long before I have to jump down to Ultegra cassettes, or from full 7700 to 6800.

goenrdoug

the SRAM PG 9xx series would also be compatible.

I run Ultegra 9-speed shifters with a 52/42/30 and a PG-950 (11-26) comfortably.

caloso

I always thought the DA cassettes wore out way too fast, particularly if you live in a flat area and spend a lot of time on the 13-14-15 part of the cassette.

Secret Squirrel

Dura Ace wear out fast. I tried SRAM 9 speed and it didn't shift as well as Shimano. Ended up using Ultegra 9 speed as a direct replacement for Dura Ace. Shifting was equivalent to Dura Ace, but at a much better price. You should be able to find Ultegra at around $54.00

goenrdoug

Maybe I don't know what I'm missing, but my shifts are like buttah...

Doge

The shifting cassettes are interchangeable. Dura Ace calipers and brakes are not with their other lines. Of course they work, but the throw is a bit different even between years of Dura Ace.

stockae92

Thanks for the info

achoo

It gets you fat? And if you leave it out it gets all soft and gooey?

Seriously, buy a 9-speed Shimano HG50 for $13 then slap yourself for spending all that money on Dura Ace cassettes:

Shimano 9 Spd HG50 (Sora/Tiagra) Cassette, Cassettes, CASSETTES

Secret Squirrel

HG50 sounds like a great value ($13). If the cogs are cut the same as Dura Ace and Ultegra, it would an inexpensive way to try different gearing combinations.