Road Cycling - group advice

I have an older Serotta frame that I am going to be building up.
I've found a good deal on a Campy Super Record gruppo but was also thinking about Daytona/Centaur and doing the ergo thing.
Ok, what do you think? Pros and Cons of each would be appreciated.

TIA
Marty :confused:

Ah, the sweet dilemma - fix the luscious quality vintage frame up with modern components for "serious" riding or treat it like a valued and respected "antique" by dressing it up with appropriate "period" attire? I face the same issue with my semi-vintage Bianchi. It originally wore 105 12-speed dress, but I changed it to modern Dura Ace STI since it was my only true road bike. Then I got a more appropriate road frame and transferred the DA stuff to it. Now, do I put the downtube shifters back on or put on the bar end shifters I picked up along the way? I have never gotten entirely comfortable with downtube when something closer to the bar was available, but I feel like the downtube rig is more appropriate and respectful to the old girl's age. I can see swapping back and forth from time to time, but then I have that luxury since I already own both sets of bits.

Ask yourself what you are going to do with the bike. Are you going to race it? Put on the ergo. But if you already have a racing machine and this will be a recreational vehicle I would go with the vintage stuff. Just one way to look at it. Enjoy the sweet agony.
Regards,
Raymond

I think Rainman hit the two key points:

1) What do YOU enjoy riding? I like Campy friction downtube shifters, but many riders do not.

2) Either way, you will end up with something worthwhile.

I think it may depend upon how much of a purist you are. Since you asked in the first place, I guess you aren't one (though I think I am). ;)

I recently went through an interesting investigative process with the idea that I would like to have a Maserati bike - strictly because my favorite car for 45 years has been that marque.

Then I discovered the existence of Hetchins and Flying Scot bikes. Just incredibly beautiful stuff! Art, actually. And there are many others to somewhat lesser degrees as well. Then I asked your question of myself.

My conclusion - which is going to save me lots of money - is that a bike with that kind of heritage should be dressed as it was born. That meant downtube shifters in almost every case. But I enjoy my current (easy, if you will) Centaur hardware, and really don't want to make my life more difficult with retro-gear. I am in this for the ride.

So my short-lived foray into historic bicycles was over before it really began. I will leave those historic gems to those who want to, and are perfectly capable to, nurture them. Fortunately, there are many of those good people around.

Meanwhile, I will continue to drool over these beauties from afar, while not bankrupting myself to recreate and own one of them. And at the same time taking the easier road with my ErgoPowers.

BTW - BTDT with automobiles in a fairly minor way, so that experience helped bring me back to reality before it was too late.

Cheers...Gary

If I ever persuade my wife that there is room in the house for another bike (or scrape together enough to buy a decent shed) I fancy having a go with a road bike, and it will probably end up being 'a model with some history' (cheap and second-hand ;) ) and might therefore come with those strange things that look like groin torture on a sudden stop. How easy are they to get to grips with - bearing in mind I'm of the opinion that thumb-shifters are un-natural and find gripshift the most natural action in the world? I suppose I could always commit heresy and fit a straight bar with a pair of Sram Rockets...

Richard

Well, after my post yesterday I decided it was time to put the downtube shifters back on the lovely Dolce with her beautiful lugged steel frame. She enjoyed her flirtation with modern fashion (DA STI and ders), but is glad to have her comfy old clothes back. She is still sort of an eclectic mix right now with a couple of modern components left, but they will be restored when I get the time.

I put together a Basso with S. Record and one thing you'll notice is that it will roll as smoothly as any of the modern stuff. I also have a Colnago Gilco Master with a mix of Record/Chorus for comparison.

How old is the Serotta? Does it have 130mm spread between the dropouts? If it doesn't its not fatal to the new stuff since a steel rear triangle can be spread but it will have to be done by a GOOD shop.

Since the old stuff will roll beautifully the main difference lies in shifting. D/T shifters aren't tough and my .02 is that an older Serotta with S Record would be a beautiful machine. From my experience though I have to tell you the S. Record brakes aren't that hot. There are better pads available such as Kool Stops or Matthausers which will help. I'm pretty sure John E. rides the older style calipers. To be honest I installed some newer Record dual pivots on my Basso and am content. It did create some other issues though such as quick release placement. If you go the vintage route and need some more brake advice email and I'll be happy to tell you what I did. Either way with that frame you'll be fine, unless you decide to go Shimano. :mad:

:beer:

Get the new stuff, if you're going to ride it much, replacement parts, for the old stuff, are getting harder and harder to find. I like the old stuff and the new stuff but, I don't ride my bikes with the old stuff very often. If you're going to compete at all you will NEED the new stuff for sure.
About 1998 or '99 Campagnolo promised to make parts for the Nouvo/Super Record Gruppos for twenty years but, I don't see it imported to this country, I hope I'm wrong.

Ride Both Ways
Pat

Thanks for all the responses, so here's where we stand.
I let the SR stuff go. Yeah it was gorgeous but I have one
retro bike, and If I do another its going to be Colnago Super,
or Mexico.
The Serotta is mid 80's vintage. I'm told it was originally kitted out
with early Chorus gear (not sure tho, never saw pics etc.).
I plan to use it for all round rides, centuries etc.
I will probably go with Centaur/Daytona groupo.
My only concession to "retro" will be riding sewups.
Might even get a set of high zoot wheels too
(would that be Clement Silks on Nisi Sludi rims?).

Cheers,
Marty

Does Clement still make silks??
Tufo has some nice, lite tyres, though!

I Wish.....
I believe Clement went out of business late 80's early 90's?
Sometimes I've seen Clement Seta Silks (NOS) for sale but they
are VERY pricey (200 bucks for a tire).
I haven't ridden the tufo's, I've been using Conti Sprinters.
Of course it being winter and all I've got Axial Comps (?) on while I spin madly on the trainer........

Marty

Lotek,
The Sludis I've tried seemed not to be very durable, ( weak ferrules).
You've found silks? Man, I'd love to have some more of 'em, the ride is SOOOO Smooth, they CORNER!, and they're tough too. NOTHING comes close to 'em.

Ride Smooth
Pat

Pat,

I haven't had much problem with the Sludi's.
I'm currently on a pair of Mavic Gel330s which I like.
I'm looking at some FIRs for the Serotta.
I've seen Silks advertised on occaision, Try Campy Only board,
Classic Rendezvous, and believe it or not E-bay.
They are NOT cheap, anyone who has em knows what they are worth.
I would love to find a new Tub that rides as smooth.....:p

Marty

Originally posted by Walter
Since the old stuff will roll beautifully the main difference lies in shifting. D/T shifters aren't tough and my .02 is that an older Serotta with S Record would be a beautiful machine. From my experience though I have to tell you the S. Record brakes aren't that hot. There are better pads available such as Kool Stops or Matthausers which will help. I'm pretty sure John E. rides the older style calipers. To be honest I installed some newer Record dual pivots on my Basso and am content.


My experience with old brakes, all using KoolStop pads and aluminum rims:
1) First-generation (c. 1970) Campy calipers with Shimano aero levers -- despite the relatively short reach of the Bianchi frame, these are some of the worst brakes I have ever owned. I will probably switch to Campy or Shimano dual-pivots (the 7-speed SRAM freewheel and Shimano aero levers are already wrong-country and wrong-period!).
FRONT: fair; REAR: poor

2) 1980 Galli sidepulls with DiaCompe areo levers -- Possibly because of differences in handle shape/reach and/or spring tension, I can generate significantly more braking force with these than with the Campys, even though the Peugeot's frame reach is a bit longer than the Bianchi's. (The difference is not in the rims, since I currently use the Bianchi's original Ofmega/Nisi wheelset on the Peugeot, or in the caliper leverages, which differ by less than 10 percent.)
FRONT: very good; REAR: good

3) First-generation (c. 1960) Weinmann centerpulls with original nonaero levers, on a longer-reach 1960 frame -- the rear is somewhat better than the Campy; the front is much better. Another factor: these handles fit my hands perfectly.
FRONT: very good; REAR: good

4) [Mountain bike] 1988 SunTour RollerCam front / Shimano U-Brake rear with Shimano 4-finger motorcycle-style handles -- This is the highest-performance (and heaviest) braking system I have ever owned. I can even stop quickly by pulling the ends of brake levers with my 4th and/or 5th fingers while holding the climbing extensions.
FRONT: outstanding; REAR: very good

John,

Agree re campy brakes.
I've been using Modolo on my Trek, not all that expensive,
and they work better than the Campys.
I've seen the 80s vintage stuff (equipe, speedy etc.) going for
next to nothing on e-bay.
I'm not too sure about the scinterized pads tho, someone mentioned they used asbestos?

Marty

Pat,

there's someone on the Campy only site thats selling a pair of
NOS Clement Silks for a cool USD200.
a little too rich for my blood at the moment (or until I win the lottery).

Cheers,
Marty