Re: [CR]Dura Ace hub question NOW history

(Example: Framebuilding:Restoration)

Date: Fri, 13 Oct 2006 12:00:13 -0400 (EDT)
From: "jjandkk" <designzero@earthlink.net>
To: Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: Re: [CR]Dura Ace hub question NOW history


When the Dura-Ace EX freehub was announced, it had an uphill battle, racers usally had a freewheel inventory and it would require another new rear wheel, and the exchange from race to training wheels would be more complicated. Most guys I knew had carefully made sure that a wheel exchange was a "no adjustment" proposition.

The freehubs where I worked, just sat, and customers who wanted Dura-Ace just requested thread on freewheel type hubs, the original Dura-Ace were avail. concurrently with the freehub for some time.

One of the problems Shimano faced was tha by this time they were known for constant change, guys were interested but were worried about spare cogs in the future. Also, having a freewheel die was not uncommon, so investing in not just a freewheel but a possibly a whole hub at once was worrisome. Spare parts from Shimano were a problem, Shimano U.S.A. even tried an order direct from them system where the shop was billed through a distibutor of choice, that did not work well either, parts often had to be ordered in minimum qty. and took weeks to get.

For me, the lack of a 15t small cog made it a non starter, as the junior gear roadrace limit was 52 x15. I did think the design had merit, and I wondered why they did not just go to 7 cogs, although it would have meant dumping UniGlide. At the time UniGlide chains were stretch-o-matic.

John Jorgensen
a break from the toil in Torrance Ca USA