Yet another Dura Ace question.

[bugloss]

Has anyone managed to get a 7401 rear derailleur working with a 12-28, 10 speed Dura Ace cassette ?

I'm looking at the DA 10 speed down tube shifters and chain and I already have a pair of 9/10 speed chain rings that fit my 7401 cranks. I assume the 7401 front derailleur will work ok with a 10 speed chain.

The reason for this is that I bought an 11 speed Ultegra group set, but I thought it was so pig ugly that I was compelled to send it straight back.

But, in the time between me ordering it and clapping eyes on it I got a nice set of Mavic Open Pro on Ultegra 11 speed wheels built up. The hubs will take a 10 speed cassette no problem, but I want to keep my nice shiny 7401 group set.

I doubt that I will get my money back for the wheels if I sold them, so I might as well use them.

 

[pigman]

Re:

I have successfully used a late 80's Deore (before the days of Deore DX/LX/XT etc) with 10 speed chain, STIs and cassette. All worked successfully, no issues or mods needed for indexing or mech-throw.

This may not be the exact question you asked, but it proves old shimano should (could?) work with 10 speed.

 

[mattr]

IIRC The 7401 was limited to a smaller sprocket than the other rear mechs of that era.
Maybe a 26? Depending on your frame/drop out/chain length/chainring sizes it *might* work.
The leverage ratios are all the same, so the only issue is likely to be the top jockey wheel scraping on the 28t sprocket.

 

[bugloss]

Thanks.
The 7401 rear derailleur works well with an 8 speed 28 rear sprocket as I have that on the bike already, so if the throw is large enough it should work ok.

I guess the width of a 10 speed cassette must be similar to the width of an 8 speed cassette, just with more thinner sprockets and spacers.

 

[mattr]

Think the cassette may be a couple of mm longer, at most.