Dura Ace/Force/Record - Component Testing Shoot Out!
Tuesday, May 1st, 2007I had the opportunity to ride the new SRAM Force group out at Sea Otter this year. Despite the fact that whom ever set it up should be disqualified from ever working in a bike shop again, I think I got a good idea on the performance. So I can now speak with a moderate amount of wisdom regarding the ever on going great componentry debate.
This has been done to death by everyone except me, so I am going to do it and it’s going to be totally awesome. I have been in bike industry for 20 years now and I think that I have some really valuable and important things to say in regards to bike equipment.
IT’S THE SMITHERS MINNEAPOLIS HIGH END ROAD COMPONENT TESTING SHOOT OUT!
I am excited! Here goes!
• Shifters:
Dura Ace – 419 grams
Force – 303 grams
Record – 324 grams
I am going to have to give the Force levers the nod on this one. The lever hoods fit the hand really well and the shifting is really easy to get used to. The fact that they are lighter than the other two choices makes them even better. The Record levers are second best for me. They are the levers that I ride and I am totally used to them. The hood contact area is the best in the business as far as I am concerned the the combination of the thumb bottom and shift paddle have never been a problem for me. Those will small hands might not like the Record levers. Dura Ace…I hate them. The shape of the hoods does not work for me, single cog shifting when moving down the cassette is a limitation (Force shares this limitation), and the fact that after almost 20 years Shimano is still routing the shift cables in the riders face is beyond lame.
• Brake Calipers:
Dura Ace – 314 grams
Force – 279 grams
Record – 279 grams
Pretty much a draw on this one. The Force calipers have plenty of stopping power as I experienced when I locked up the rear caliper in a panic stop situation. Dura Ace calipers are a bit heavy but I don’t think brake calipers are the best place to attempt to shave weight.
• Crankset/Bottom Bracket:
Dura Ace – 664 grams
Force – 783 grams
Record – 643 grams
The Dura Ace crank is on the top as far as I am concerned. Lighter than the carbon Force set, almost as light as the Record carbon set, and proven to be very stiff. The new Record Ultra Torque crankset seems to be working well, but I have some skepticism regarding carbon cranksets. I have yet to use a carbon crank that I have not had some kind of problem with, but I have not used the Record set. If anyone can get it right Campy can. Safe bet, use the Dura Ace. SRAM has some more work to do on their crank.
• Rear Derailleur:
Dura Ace – 180 grams
Force – 178 grams
Record – 184 grams
Another draw.
• Front Derailleur:
Who cares? So long as it works.
• Cassette:
Dura Ace – 170 grams (11–23)
Force – 220 grams (11–23)
Record – 156 grams (11–23)
Sram needs to trim down the weight of their cassette. The Record cassette is way light but it’s also way expensive. Shifting quality is the same for all three brands.
• Price:
Force wins this one. You can find it about the same price as Dura Ace, Record is quite a bit more $$.
Wow, this is going really well! There is some really valuable consumer information up there.
Ok, so let’s tally up the score and see which group won! I can’t wait to see!
• Shifters
Force 3 points
Dura Ace 1 points
Record 2 points
• Brake Calipers
Force 2 points
Dura Ace 2 points
Record 2 points
• Crankset/Bottom Bracket
Force 1 points
Dura Ace 3 points
Record 2 points
• Rear Derailleur
Force 2 points
Dura Ace 2 points
Record 2 points
• Front Derailleur
Force 2 points
Dura Ace 2 points
Record 2 points
• Cassette
Force 1 points
Dura Ace 2 points
Record 3 points
• Price
Force 3 points
Dura Ace 2 points
Record 1 points
TOTAL SHOOTOUT SCORE!
Force 14 points
Dura Ace 14 points
Record 14 points
Hummm…a three way tie.
So I guess it doesn’t matter. Hummm…
OK, no one gives a shit what you put on your bike, especially me. Go ride what ever you want.
