Bike websites around the world are now running with the pretty pix sent from Shimano Europe. The kit, now in its 30th year, won't be available on the aftermarket until late Autumn but consumers are already salivating over the CAD representations of what Shimano's top-end road kit will be like. The new gruppo is 10 percent lighter than Dura Ace 2003 and there's a 10 cog block. Oh, and a relieved outer chainring...

Shimano releases CAD drawings of Dura Ace 2004

The luminous crankset shown above uses Hollowtech II technology, as featured on this year’s XTR.

Here’s the tech info as supplied by Shimano.

FC-7800 (Crankset with integrated bottom bracket)

Hollowtech II design

Q-Factor remains same as FC-7701/BB-7700

Minimal bearing interface for smoother rolling

Outboard bearings are 82 mm apart. (BB-7700 bearings are 53.8 mm apart)

Relieved outer chainring, lightweight and very rigid with superior shifting

Weight is anticipated to be 30 grams less than current FC-7701 /BB-7700 combination.

Read what UK consumer bike websites, and their readers, think about the kit here:

http://www.singletrackworld.com/article.php?sid=958

http://www.bikemagic.com/…/article.asp?UAN=3236&SP=&v=1

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