FRIEDRICHSHAFEN, Germany (BRAIN)—After years of championing its aluminum Hollowtech crank technology Shimano switches to carbon on its Dura Ace FC-7800C to save 30 grams and boost stiffness.
The crankset’s bottom bracket and left arm construction is the same design as XTR allowing for a lighter bottom bracket assembly and more precise adjustment of the bearings. Pricing is still being finalized, however the 708-gram crankset will be available in Spring 2008 in three crank arm lengths, 170-, 172.5-, 175-millimeters, and two chainring combinations, 53/39, 52/39.
Though the company resisted using carbon in its cranksets, pointing out its aluminum cranks were lighter then most makers carbon cranks, it has extensive carbon experience gained from its years manipulation carbon fiber in cycling shoe soles, rims and other components.
