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Shimano Date Codes (ENG) Shimano Date Codes (ENG)
If you're buying used bike parts, restoring a vintage bike, or simply want to know how old your classic derailleur really is, sooner or later you'll come across so-called Shimano Date Codes. These are a simple, two-letter code that Shimano has stamped or stickered onto many of its components since 1976 – usually near the component's serial number, for example on crank arms, derailleurs, hubs, or brakes.The principle is simple: the first letter indicates the year, the second the month. Since the 26-letter alphabet runs out faster than the years go by, Shimano simply starts the cycle over again after 26 years – which means the same code can technically stand for two different decades. In practice, the condition of the part or the model name usually helps resolve any ambiguity.
Not every part carries a code (early Dura-Ace parts from before 1976, for instance, don't), but you'll find one on most groupsets from the 1970s through the 2000s.
The Code Table
Letter Year (1st cycle) Year (2nd cycle) Month A 1976 2002 January B 1977 2003 February C 1978 2004 March D 1979 2005 April E 1980 – May F 1981 – June G 1982 – July H 1983 – August I 1984 – September J 1985 – October K 1986 – November L 1987 – December M 1988 – – N 1989 – – O 1990 – – P 1991 – – Q 1992 – – R 1993 – – S 1994 – – T 1995 – – U 1996 – – V 1997 – – W 1998 – – X 1999 – – Y 2000 – – Z 2001 – – Example: The code "DC" means year D (1979) and month C (March).
For the month letters, only A through L apply (January through December), since there are only twelve months – this pattern simply repeats every year.
If you're buying used bike parts, restoring a vintage bike, or simply want to know how old your classic derailleur really is, sooner or later you'll come across so-called Shimano Date Codes. These are a simple, two-letter code that Shimano has stamped or stickered onto many of its components since 1976 – usually near the component's serial number, for example on crank arms, derailleurs, hubs, or brakes.The principle is simple: the first letter indicates the year, the second the month. Since the 26-letter alphabet runs out faster than the years go by, Shimano simply starts the cycle over again after 26 years – which means the same code can technically stand for two different decades. In practice, the condition of the part or the model name usually helps resolve any ambiguity.
Not every part carries a code (early Dura-Ace parts from before 1976, for instance, don't), but you'll find one on most groupsets from the 1970s through the 2000s.
The Code Table
Letter Year (1st cycle) Year (2nd cycle) Month A 1976 2002 January B 1977 2003 February C 1978 2004 March D 1979 2005 April E 1980 – May F 1981 – June G 1982 – July H 1983 – August I 1984 – September J 1985 – October K 1986 – November L 1987 – December M 1988 – – N 1989 – – O 1990 – – P 1991 – – Q 1992 – – R 1993 – – S 1994 – – T 1995 – – U 1996 – – V 1997 – – W 1998 – – X 1999 – – Y 2000 – – Z 2001 – – Example: The code "DC" means year D (1979) and month C (March).
For the month letters, only A through L apply (January through December), since there are only twelve months – this pattern simply repeats every year.
