Classic & Vintage - I'm going to let you folks build this, Put on your thinking caps

I'm feeling a bit of a creative block........I will very likely build whatever the majority see's fit.....

HAVE: A nice 1986 lugged steel Columbus road bike that is painful to lug up and over a 14,000ft pass in CO.... 7 speed freewheel/wheelset are going off to a friend...
Bike has a simple/orig Dbl up front.... Damned Italian brakes have poor stopping power at high descent speeds......
Do not want any more downtube or bar-end shifters.... Want Brifters.

Have a top-of-the-line DT Swiss wheelset waiting patiently for a sweet rear cluster...


WANT: To spread the rear triangle/coldset, upgrade to 8 or 9 speed, am thinking triple up front but may be open to a compact Dbl if I can climb to 14,000ft w/o hurting knees or joints.....

This bike is sort of special and is deserving of a top notch Campy, Dura Ace or SRAM drivetrain and brakes... This is not a long-haul touring build. This is a roadie for riding Rocky Mtn stages.

Make it good Gearheads!!

Athena 11 in alloy finish! They are shipping some already and it is nice!!!

DO IT!

vjp

I'd say go for the compact double. You can get a pretty low climbing gear with the right setup. Get cranks with an external bearing bottom bracket. They really do stiffen everything up on old steel frames which makes climbing easier.

I assume you want to consider 10 speed drivetrains as well as 8 and 9 (especially since you mention SRAM and they only make 10sp groups). One of the things that has gotten a lot better with newer groups (say dura-ace 8sp vs DA 10sp) is the performance of shifting under load. If you're doing a lot of climbing, it really is nice to have components that shift well while climbing.

Also consider if you go campy you will have to get a special conversion cassette to work with the wheelset you are planning to use, or change the freehub bod on the rear hub if one is available (unless it's a campy wheelset). Campy 8 speed has a completely obsolete cassette spline pattern (different from 9 and 10 speed), you'll pretty much have to have a set of campy 8 speed hubs lined up if you want to use that group.

I would maybe go for an Ultegra 10sp or SRAM force group. They are both very nice.

If you want to save some money look at aftermarket cranks. Truvativ cranks for example sell on ebay for like 1/2 less than shimano cranks of similar quality, and a lot of them are every bit as good.

VJP,
OK, Thank you! I'll have a look at the Athena 11 and see where they are at price-wise.

Prof2K,
You are correct, DT Swiss rear hub will not work w/ Campy as it sits.....

I would maybe go for an Ultegra 10sp or SRAM force group. They are both very nice.

If you want to save some money look at aftermarket cranks. Truvativ cranks for example sell on ebay for like 1/2 less than shimano cranks of similar quality, and a lot of them are every bit as good.

I like the way you think! :thumb:
Lately there has been a lot of buzz in these parts about SRAM Force and SRAM Rival, which is a very good set for a bargain price....

I haven't priced Ultegra recently......

Check here for the best prices I've seen:

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/

Triple will complicate things a bit, as far as buying a complete grouppo. I would think a 13-29 with a compact 34-50 up front should do you fine, but only you can answer that.

Athena 11 is about $150 more than Centaur 10, and Centaur gives you a bigger cog in the rear.

http://cgi.ebay.com/CAMPAGNOLO-ATHENA-ALLOY-11SPEED-GROUP-1090-FREE-SHIP_W0QQitemZ270444159786QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item3ef7ba632a&_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

$1090 shipped

Compact 34-50 with a 12-25....

vjp

go with sram or ultegra 9 spd an save a grip

+1 on the compact double and external bb

Teaser for ya'......

http://http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l42/bigwoo2/IMG_0487.jpg

http://http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l42/bigwoo2/IMG_0488.jpg

http://http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l42/bigwoo2/IMG_0490.jpg

I would maybe go for an Ultegra 10sp or SRAM force group. They are both very nice.


Oops. I meant to say rival, since it is functionally the same or very similar to force, just cheaper.


Also SRAM has recently come out with a 10speed mtb group with parts that are interchangable with their road groups. Imagine a road bike with a 50-34 compact crankset and a 11-36 rear cassette. I don't have a need for gears anywhere near to that low, but I imagine some people would really love that setup.

When you want STI shifting this isn't much fun when there are really only 3 choices to decide between? Er, well I guess not just 3, but 3 companies, but stuff that is more or less alike in a sense.

When you want STI shifting this isn't much fun when there are really only 3 choices to decide between? Er, well I guess not just 3, but 3 companies, but stuff that is more or less alike in a sense.

I agree w/ you Divine.... It makes my brain hurt to try to balance classic asthetics w/ a bike that can be competitive in the Mtn's....... I must be a twisted **** to want a classic bike that is "modern", but my knees and joints aren't Spring Chickens anymore........ And it would be nice to have just 1 bike w/ brifters for myself.

The good side to all of this is that I will have a smooth, fast, efficient and maybe even timeless machine that will be loved and cherished, as opposed to going down to my local bike shop for the latest $2,000.00 plastic bike that wont be around in another 20 years....

I'm guessing that at least 4 of you have already figured out the builder, because you have/had this model.......

http://cgi.ebay.com/CAMPAGNOLO-ATHENA-ALLOY-11SPEED-GROUP-1090-FREE-SHIP_W0QQitemZ270444159786QQcmdZViewItemQQptZCycling_Parts_Accessories?hash=item3ef7ba632a&_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116

$1090 shipped

Compact 34-50 with a 12-25....

vjp

Only $200+ more than Ribble

Check here for the best prices I've seen:

http://www.ribblecycles.co.uk/

Triple will complicate things a bit, as far as buying a complete grouppo. I would think a 13-29 with a compact 34-50 up front should do you fine, but only you can answer that.

Athena 11 is about $150 more than Centaur 10, and Centaur gives you a bigger cog in the rear.

Jeez OFG,
You and Neal sure do find the good UK prices!! They have some bargains there......

You know that I am a tight*ss, so my plan is to wait for the "Clearance Table" at my LBS to have a group placed on it....
Earlier this year, when I wasn't looking seriously for a group, I walked by it and saw that there was a SRAM and a D/A group marked down 40% because the packaging had been damaged...... The shop guys told me that they do that (at least) several times per year. So, you can bet that the next time it happens, I'm all over it!

I ride 50-34 13-29 in the hilly terrain in my hood and its sufficiently low for me. Love that setup.

I happen to have a complete matched Campy Veloce 9spd grouppo, wheels included and in pretty darn nice shape. Just add a frame for a complete bike. I should add that the front derailleur is for a 30+mm seat tube. I was planning a project for the grouppo but my 8spd Shimano 105 Proctor-Townsend fills the bill and I don't need the Campy stuff now.

Teaser for ya'......

http://http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l42/bigwoo2/IMG_0487.jpg



Don't them downtube-shifters look sexy on that SWEET frame though:D

I'd say go for the compact double. You can get a pretty low climbing gear with the right setup.
I agree. A triple crank on a frame with short chainstays can be problematic.

Sram Force.

-Kurt

what is your starting elevsation? how mayn feet are you climbing? I would keep that beautifule old school bike and buy something new. if that is a basic SL frame there are several much better and lighter steel bikes out here. if you really want to rebuild that frame for sentimental reasons. I agree with VIP silver finish Athena. but get record hubs and build regular wheels with nice Mavic rims

what is your starting elevsation? how mayn feet are you climbing? I would keep that beautifule old school bike and buy something new. if that is a basic SL frame there are several much better and lighter steel bikes out here. if you really want to rebuild that frame for sentimental reasons. I agree with VIP silver finish Athena. but get record hubs and build regular wheels with nice Mavic rims

Thanks BG,
It depends on how I feel.....I start in the foothills at 5300ft, and when I'm feeling like a Rock Star I start at 8314 feet and ride up to 11,022ft here: http://coloradoskihistory.com/lost/bpass.html and then I reward myself w/ a killer speed run back down.

Thanks for the compliment, but I've got far too many "beautifule old school" bikes as it is.....

As far as buying something new, umm...... Not an option..... I'm Old School Baby......

Record hubs are fantastic, velvety and laser fast....But another Campy Record bike would be redundant for me. DT Swiss is where it's at for this build.
Most of my collection is era-accurate or all-original, but I'd like some diversity and cutting edge technology to hang on this classic frame..... But now I've got 2 votes for Athena, so I may look into that group further and see how it compares to SRAM Rival....

I'm going to cut you some slack on the "Much better and lighter than Columbus SL..." comment ;)

And Kurt, if they place a Force group on that closeout table for a fair price, it's a done deal....

7 speeds?!! What luxury! What excess! Five are plenty! And old school speed modulators...er, brakes, to adjust speed on the way down :) You realize I'm going to have to razz you for the 11-speed drive train and dual pivot brakes if I run into you on that 11,000-ft pass ;)

Here's how it's done...

http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z77/Kommisar89/BuenaVistaride003-1.jpg

Well,
After much anguish about new -vs- older group, and hanging parts all over the bike to get a feel for them..... I have ruled out a minty 600 group and ruled out a nice Campy Record gruppo.
I've got my 10 speed group, and will keep you updated :)

Pulled the fork and called Serotta..... 1986 Nova Special, made by Ben just like my '84. I'll find out if it's Nova Special X when I pull the crankset/BB.
http://http://i93.photobucket.com/albums/l42/bigwoo2/IMG_0569.jpg

I agree. A triple crank on a frame with short chainstays can be problematic.

Hasn't been for me. I've a vintage Palo Alto, a Cinelli, and a Dancelli all rigged with Campy 10 speed Cetaur triple groups, as well as a modern aluminum/CF Pinarello. Even my daughter's 80's battaglin sports that group without issue.

I can't climb fer crap, so the triple is a no-brainer for me. A compact double is a compromise, and you'll find yourself shifting a lot more up front if you have one, especially on rollers.

Hasn't been for me. I've a vintage Palo Alto, a Cinelli, and a Dancelli all rigged with Campy 10 speed Cetaur triple groups, as well as a modern aluminum/CF Pinarello. Even my daughter's 80's battaglin sports that group without issue.

I can't climb fer crap, so the triple is a no-brainer for me. A compact double is a compromise, and you'll find yourself shifting a lot more up front if you have one, especially on rollers.

+1,000,000.... My thoughts exactly. Vintage race bikes have long enough chainstays for a tri when compared to today's roadies..... I've never had a problem either.

Local CL here has a 9-sp Ultegra group, w/wheels, 12-27 cassette that can be swapped out, for $275. FD/RD/calipers/STI's/BB/cassette/chain/Ultegra hubs w/Mavic rims/Vittorio EVO tires/53/39 crankset. Chapel Hill NC.

I had a similar project and went with Dura Ace 10 speed downtube shifters. That way I still have the vintage vibe. Plus, less weight going up hill...

I like the way you think! :thumb:
Lately there has been a lot of buzz in these parts about SRAM Force and SRAM Rival, which is a very good set for a bargain price....

I haven't priced Ultegra recently......

Following this same line of thought...
Just 100 bucks gets you a sturdy classic look Sugino crankset.:thumb:
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b90/compost_bin/bicycle/IMG_2953.jpg

I live in a really hilly canyon and run a 24-34-44 with a 12-13-14-15-16-17-19-21 8 speed for a nice touring range of 31 to 99 gear inches.
http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b90/compost_bin/bicycle/IMG_2956.jpg


Greg

Local CL here has a 9-sp Ultegra group, w/wheels, 12-27 cassette that can be swapped out, for $275. FD/RD/calipers/STI's/BB/cassette/chain/Ultegra hubs w/Mavic rims/Vittorio EVO tires/53/39 crankset. Chapel Hill NC.

Cheebus! That is a smokin' hot deal....... I have been seeing great items sitting for 1/2-1/3 the fair price and they just aren't selling right now.....

Nice looking rig OldPedalPusher!