[-dustin]

The compact D/A crank will sell like crazy.

 

[DRB]

Not at 700 bucks it won't.

The cranks are 700 (no bottom bracket).

But the most outrageous part are the shifters. 700 for the pair. That's twice the price of record.

 

[James]

Not at 700 bucks it won't.

The cranks are 700 (no bottom bracket).

But the most outrageous part are the shifters. 700 for the pair. That's twice the price of record.

I bet that's not final pricing yet, though I don't know. I think Competitive prices it a bit high, then adjusts it down as needed, rather than the other way around...

 

[DRB]

I bet that's not final pricing yet, though I don't know. I think Competitive prices it a bit high, then adjusts it down as needed, rather than the other way around...

Its the prices that Shimano release and that some websites (colorado cyclist) are already showing.

Even the brakes are showing at $150 more than the record skeletons....

I honestly believe that the pricing is more a function of catching up with the Jones then it is exchange rates and material costs. There main retail customers probably have a "its more so it must be better" mentality. All of a sudden they were the cheapest top end group..... Just looking at the list the only place I see that they might not be the highest priced is the cassette and that's because of the record ti.

 

[James]

Its the prices that Shimano release and that some websites (colorado cyclist) are already showing.

Even the brakes are showing at $150 more than the record skeletons....

I honestly believe that the pricing is more a function of catching up with the Jones then it is exchange rates and material costs. There main retail customers probably have a "its more so it must be better" mentality. All of a sudden they were the cheapest top end group..... Just looking at the list the only place I see that they might not be the highest priced is the cassette and that's because of the record ti.

I don't think it's really sunk in yet how much prices are changing for next year. Most people haven't announced '09 pricing yet, because they're still doped up from the Valium they had to take when they first figured them out.
So just wait, and I think you'll see that things are going to fall more in line with this pricing. Bikes, rubber, components, etc. Record Skeleton brakes included.

 

[ire]

The lucky bastards at Velonews got to ride the new group:

http://www.velonews.com/article/78933/dura-ace-on-test

As the bike industry continues its headlong charge for stiffer-lighter-faster hardware, Shimano is keeping up its end of the deal with the upcoming Dura-Ace road group. VeloNews got a chance to ride the 10-speed group. Here are some brief first opinions.

Although Shimano revamped the entire group, the shifters received the biggest overhaul, and feature new ergonomics and altered function. The shift cables are routed under the tape (a first for Shimano) along with the brake cables. The slimmer hoods fit more easily in the hand, and the thinner (now carbon) levers allow for more finger placement options in and out of the saddle. The carbon levers flare out sideways (can you say SRAM?), but also retain Shimano’s curve forward at the bottom of the lever.

Although the hoods are narrower, they retain most of the height of Shimano’s 7800 trademark knobs. Whether this is a good thing or not depends on your personal preference; I’ve always liked them. You can rest your hands loosely on the hoods and never worry about a big bump knocking your hands forward and off the bars. Also, they’re still easy to hold onto when ‘laying down’ over the handlebars. Again, just personal preference.

For shifting performance, Shimano claims its has reduced throw by 20 percent on rear shifts. I couldn’t tell a difference from current Dura-Ace.

I could tell a big difference in shifting on the front end, however. The front derailleur is a beefy, big-leverage affair that looks and works differently than the current piece. Unlike the current model, which has two settings for both the small and big ring, the new model has one for each. Although some problems were anticipated here (based largely on design issues with similar SRAM systems), the front derailleur works very well; there is no need for extra detents on either ring. I rode both ends of the cassette on both rings without chain rub on the derailleur.

The new cranks feature a hollow big chainring, which is supposedly much stiffer than the current option. Unless there are huge variances, determining stiffness on a ride is pretty tough. Granted, it felt plenty stiff, but then again it was tested on the 2009 Specialized Roubaix SL2, which is a high-performance frame.

A few other components are hard to immediately size up as noticeably different; the brake calipers, chain, bottom bracket, rear derailleur and cassette all work just fine.

Sensations aside, the new group does look tough. Wired products editor Mark McClusky commented that the group has taken aesthetic cues from its off-road XTR sibling. I agree; the sharp edges and two-tone accented angles are a departure from smooth-rounded, single-tone Dura-Ace groups of the past.

Two more initial impressions on the Dura-Ace shifters: there are surprisingly large openings into the internals (which could allow grit easy access), and the lever reach is pretty long. Granted, the latter often has more to do with handlebar geometry (I rode a Specialized S-Works bar). Nonetheless, coming down a fast, rattling descent, the brakes felt just a little further out than was comfortable. The good news: for 2009, the Dura-Ace levers are reach-adjustable, meaning you can move them closer to the handlebar. This is touted as a feature for people for small hands; however, I’m 6’1” and would probably take advantage of this feature, too.

All in all, Shimano has pushed the performance envelope just a bit further with the new Dura-Ace group, which will be available in October.