It sounds like Rick is describing the first type of DA hub, which I believe dates back to around 1974. I first saw the later hubs that John describes, the later fully-polished hubs that were engraved "Dura Ace," in the spring of 1984. In between Shimano introduced the Dura Ace EX, the EX Direction 6 and the AX hub sets. I don't know the exact years for all of those, but my point is that there are more than two major variants on DA hubs. There are 4 in the CR timeframe and 6 beyond it. Then there are at least a couple of track hubs.
There is one date I remember. I can remember seeing an ad for the new EX cassette hubs in Bicycling while in my elementary school library, which would have been late 78 or 79. Without seeing your hub, and assuming that Shimano discontinued fist gen. Dura Ace production once EX came out, your hubs are no later than 1979.
Tom Dalton Bethlehem PA USA
To: "CR" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>, <>
Subject: Re: [CR]Message-ID: <001101c6ee30$0f12f7a0$6500a8c0@w1k7q8>
Content-Type: text/plain;charset="iso-8859-1"
MIME-Version: 1.0
Precedence: list
Message: 12
> I have appear to be an earlier set of Dura Ace low flange road hubs
> complete. They have the small "Shimano" logo along with "Shimano"
in
> small letters stamped below the logo. They have the chrome oil clip
> along with chrome axle lock nuts and "Dura Ace" stamped steel
dustcaps.
> I was pretty sure they were 70s/early 80s but they have a a TA and TH
> code stamped on them which would make them 1995 (?)
Rick,
I don't know the Shimano date code pattern, but I have a similar hubset that might help.
Mine came on a 1980 Raleigh Pro, so are certainly 1980 or earlier. Mine match your description, except that the date codes are "YG" on both. Two additional aesthetic notes: the finish is a very nice anodized satin, not the shiny ano finish of later DA hubs (my guess is mid-80's for the transition - these later hubs I believe also would have no Shimano logo, and an embossed "Dura-Ace"); and the front hubshell shape is different. Later hubshells had a smooth trumpet shape from the center to the flange. Mine have a pretty abrupt cup shape behind the flange (more so than NR hubs) that quickly sweeps down to the center, a little more like a typical steel hubshell shape, but still more curvy. The rear hub is closer to a NR copy in shape. The skewer levers are slightly curved, just say "Shimano", and have "D" ring nuts.
Jon Schaer Columbus, OH USA
---------------------------------
All-new Yahoo! Mail - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster.