As many of you know I recently ordered a new QR Caliente frame and Ouzo Aero Pro fork. I was going to build it with '03 Dura Ace but then I saw some of the '04 Dura Ace components and I thought it might be worth it to wait. The integrated BB/crankset looks especially interesting.
I was wondering what others thought about the '04 Dura Ace components.
Mark
Why wait? Just bolt up Record 10 and you are set! You want a neat crank? Get the carbon one!
If you have deep pockets, I’d wait. Otherwise, you could probably piece together a 9 speed grouppu@ www.performancebike.com or www.nashbar.com for 1/2 as much as you will pay for '04 Dura Ace. I’m guessing 5-8 hundred dollars less. That’s quite expensive. And 9 speed DA will only get cheaper. FWIW, I have a similar crank/bottom bracket setup on my mountainbike(new XTR) and like it quite a bit. Not sure about the q-angle issues, though.
They (shimano) say that the q-angle or factor or whatever is the same on their website…
From what I have read in magazines and on the internet the Q-Factor is not the same and is about 4mm wider. But what the hell do I know…this is all 4th party information…not to be trusted.
http://dura-ace.shimano.com/publish/content/duraace/en/home/the_product0/drive_train.html
“Same “Q”-Factor As 7701”
I don’t even know what Q-Factor is, but it says it’s the same. They are pretty Daddy-looking cranks though - even as a Campy enthusiast, you’ve got to admit it…
“http://www.cyclingnews.com/tech.php?id=tech/2003/news/jul25”
About 4 mm wider than last year’s.
Looks like a “he said/she said” issue. I don’t know either way - all I was quoting was the Shimano website. Hopefully they know their own product.
Maybe they got the new Dura Ace crank confused with this crank?
That does look like their bottom bracket and their pedal 
.
I just had a look at the new DA group for '04 and was very impressed. I have yet to hit the road with the components, but they look fast! Shimano has done an excellent job with the DA 10speed this year and they have my vote.
Come on Adam…we cant have ShimaNO on fancy new Softrides…
Hey, has Chig taken up home out there in the great western lands yet?
ShimaNo, that’s funny. Whatever gets me to the finish line. My professional theory.
Launch date for Chig is 9/22. We’re all excited to have Chig here and have great plans for the future of Softride.