How to Install a Dura-Ace Rear Derailleur

The derailleur allows the shifting between cogs on the gear cassette of bicycles. Shimano, the Japanese bicycle component maker, manufactures the Dura-Ace line of road bicycling gear. Dura-Ace is the top-of- the-line offering from the company and is often seen hanging on bicycles in major races such as the Tour de France or Giro D'Italia. You can install a Dura-Ace rear derailleur in a home workshop.

Things You'll Need

  • Bike work stand
  • Phillip's screwdriver
  • Derailleur cable
  • Cable housing
  • Cable cutter
  • Ferrules
  • Bicycle grease
  • Allen keys
  • Chain tool
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Instructions

    • 1

      Place the bicycle into the work stand.

    • 2

      Screw the Dura Ace rear derailleur onto the frame derailleur tab found on the right-hand side of the rear fork on the bicycle. Use the Phillip's screwdriver to attach the derailleur to the frame.

    • 3

      Measure out the cable distance by running the derailleur cable from the back of the Dura Ace derailleur, under the frame and along the special cable guides on the frame. Go to the right-hand side of the drop bars where the shifter rests. Cut the cable at this length.

    • 4

      Cut the cable housing the same length, minus two inches on both sides. Grease the cable and slide it through the cable housing. Slide a ferrule onto each end of the cable/housing combination.

    • 5

      Slide the barrel adjuster that came with the Dura Ace derailleur over the cable. Thread the cable into the cable set-screw off the Dura Ace derailleur. Tighten it down with the screwdriver. Turn the barrel adjuster so it screws onto the derailleur at the back end.

    • 6

      Feed the cable/housing unit through the frame cable guides and up onto the shifter on the right side of the handlebar. Thread the cable into the shifter at the cable guide point. Thread it through the barrel adjuster off the shifter and tighten the set screw to attach the cable wire to the shifter.

    • 7

      Thread the chain over the rear cassette--sprockets--on the rear wheel. Use the chain tool to break the kink-pin on one link, then remove two links form the chain. Run the chain around the large chain-ring in the center of the bicycle and reconnect the chain with the chain tool. Adjust the barrel adjuster on the Dura Ace derailleur by turing one quarter turn to the right while shifting through the gears with the pedals turning. Stop adjusting when the derailleur provides smooth shifts with no missed gears.