Dura Ace 7400 build with a compact crank?

[rohan]

I am putting together a Dura Ace 7400 group for a future build (just need brake levers, cranks and a freewheel!) and I was looking for some advice.

Is there a compact crank that would look nice with the group, or is my best bet to stick with a 7400 52 or 53/39 standard crank?

My rear derailleur is a 7401 7-speed derailleur, with a stated chain wrap capacity of 26t and a max cog of 26t, so any thoughts on a freewheel would also be helpful.

If I went with a 50/34 compact crank (16 tooth difference), would I be able to make a 13-26 (13 tooth difference) work? I am afraid that might be pushing it, though I imagine I could make a 13-28 work with a standard crank.

Any and all thoughts welcome.

[rccardr]

740X is remarkably wrap tolerant. My Sachs has 7400 with a 48/34 Deore crankset (that’s been polished & re-engraved with a DA logo to match) and a 12-28 cassette on a 7700 hub (with custom cog spacers), works perfectly.

Have also run 7400 with a 48/28 SR Apex crankset and a 13-28 freewheel, although it worked better in friction mode, especially in the larger cogs.

If somewhere in the 48/38 crank ring neighborhood works for you with a 28 big cog, no problemo as well.

[ripvanrando]

I used to run 180mm 53x39 and 12-28 7400 dura ace. It had no trouble shifting to the 28. Almost 30 years later, the shifters still shift perfect

[robt57]

I stuck a 46t on a 7800 39/53 to gain capacity. Just for an idea for you..

[gbcoupe]

You could try 52/38 rings and keep the 7400. Sugino or Middleburn compacts would go well.

[Ed-B]

You're in gear freaking territory now...

If you need a crank, then you have some flexibility that will only be limited by what you can find or assemble, new or used. Getting the aesthetics you seek for matching D/A 7400 is the challenge. But I think you'd like to see a nice silver square taper crank with that group. In my opinion, new Hollowtech and fluted old school cranks aren't gonna do it.

A 110 BCD (bolt circle diameter) crank will let you run compact rings down to 34 teeth. Older mtb triple cranks had 110 bcd outer rings and a 74bcd granny. If you can find a nice silver crankset like this you can run it as a double with compact rings and an x-28 tooth 7 speed freewheel. For example, find a nice old mid 80's Shimano Deore crank, get the right length bottom bracket (my guess: 113mm) and you're there...

Keep the chain ring difference 14 teeth or less and it should be okay; e.g. 34/48, 36/50, etc. Just be aware of modern rings intended to be used as matched pairs, the outer rings are typically beveled outward to allow cross chaining the inner ring and they don't always mate well with larger inner rings - the chain can slide between the rings on the downshift.

You might have to hunt for this stuff and try a few things, but if you get it right it'll be really sweet!

Ed.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by rohan

I am putting together a Dura Ace 7400 group for a future build (just need brake levers, cranks and a freewheel!) and I was looking for some advice.

Is there a compact crank that would look nice with the group, or is my best bet to stick with a 7400 52 or 53/39 standard crank?

My rear derailleur is a 7401 7-speed derailleur, with a stated chain wrap capacity of 26t and a max cog of 26t, so any thoughts on a freewheel would also be helpful.

If I went with a 50/34 compact crank (16 tooth difference), would I be able to make a 13-26 (13 tooth difference) work? I am afraid that might be pushing it, though I imagine I could make a 13-28 work with a standard crank.

Any and all thoughts welcome.

Donno..some compacts are great lookin to some and ugly to others.

Horizontal dropouts? Moving the wheel all the way back will help clear a 28t.

Compact or even a standard with 50/38 would work fine with a 13-26 or 13-28(see above). A compact crank gives you more flexibility not less. Don't be too concerned with 'numbers' or equations''. Bike frames, rear der hangers, chainstay lengths..... are all different.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by rohan

I am putting together a Dura Ace 7400 group for a future build (just need brake levers, cranks and a freewheel!) and I was looking for some advice.

Is there a compact crank that would look nice with the group, or is my best bet to stick with a 7400 52 or 53/39 standard crank?

My rear derailleur is a 7401 7-speed derailleur, with a stated chain wrap capacity of 26t and a max cog of 26t, so any thoughts on a freewheel would also be helpful.

If I went with a 50/34 compact crank (16 tooth difference), would I be able to make a 13-26 (13 tooth difference) work? I am afraid that might be pushing it, though I imagine I could make a 13-28 work with a standard crank.
Any and all thoughts welcome.

Donno..some compacts are great lookin to some and ugly to others.

Horizontal dropouts? Moving the wheel all the way back will help clear a 28t.

Compact or even a standard with 50/38 would work fine with a 13-26 or 13-28(see above). A compact crank gives you more flexibility not less. Don't be too concerned with 'numbers' or equations''. Bike frames, rear der hangers, chainstay lengths..... are all different.

I found the 34t was too small..went with a 36t. Also found the 50t too big, went to a 48t.
With any crank/cogset..when riding, 'should' be mostly in the center cogs of the cogset..if you find you are at the ends, unless going up hill or down hill..gearing probably isn't right 'for you'.

[witcombusa]

You could always go the triple route.
The later Dura Ace FC-7703 would match up well enough and give you much
more gearing range.

Or a 'tripleizer' like this 7400 set up.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/16490443951...IAAOSwMgxgwAo7

[accordvsick]

Originally Posted by rccardr

740X is remarkably wrap tolerant. My Sachs has 7400 with a 48/34 Deore crankset (that’s been polished & re-engraved with a DA logo to match) and a 12-28 cassette on a 7700 hub (with custom cog spacers), works perfectly.

Have also run 7400 with a 48/28 SR Apex crankset and a 13-28 freewheel, although it worked better in friction mode, especially in the larger cogs.

If somewhere in the 48/38 crank ring neighborhood works for you with a 28 big cog, no problemo as well.

Have a picture of what the crankset looks like?

[kingpin75s]

I use Suntour XC Pro cranks for setups like this.

[robt57]

Originally Posted by kingpin75s

I use Suntour XC Pro cranks for setups like this.

I had a stash of those for a while. 110BC Triple cold forged and good looking to boot. 26/36/46 if I recall correctly.

Another option would be an 8s XT or XTR bcak when those were 110BC. I have a 180 XT on a city hill blaster, 110BC triple. Not really to different from the Sugino XC Pro.

[cnighbor1]

You can convert a DA 7400 crankset to a triple if needed
I have done it a few times
Charles
PS I have a later DA Triple new crankset for sale
Wow that is cheekily plug

Originally Posted by rohan

I am putting together a Dura Ace 7400 group for a future build (just need brake levers, cranks and a freewheel!) and I was looking for some advice.

Is there a compact crank that would look nice with the group, or is my best bet to stick with a 7400 52 or 53/39 standard crank?

My rear derailleur is a 7401 7-speed derailleur, with a stated chain wrap capacity of 26t and a max cog of 26t, so any thoughts on a freewheel would also be helpful.

If I went with a 50/34 compact crank (16 tooth difference), would I be able to make a 13-26 (13 tooth difference) work? I am afraid that might be pushing it, though I imagine I could make a 13-28 work with a standard crank.

Any and all thoughts welcome.

[jds108]

https://www.suginoltd.co.jp/store/pr...?product_id=24

Is a pretty close match.

[rccardr]

Originally Posted by accordvsick

Have a picture of what the crankset looks like?

You betcha, one off the bike when they arrived, and one installed. Polish and engraving done by Stephen Needles in England. Since this pic was taken, replaced the FD with a 28.6 clamp on 7400: