1987

Please forgive any of my ignorance, but so far I only like the AX stuff from Shimano. Preferably Dura-Ace AX. Character, ingenuity and style = a clear vision. And their components for track use.

The rest just seems to be copies, marketing tricks (including confusing names) or plain ugly disposable components. Brutto Brutto

Here is a reminder: VeloBase.com - Component: Shimano BR-7300, Dura-Ace AX
Those would make me turn my head or open my wallet.

rootboy 

I like their grease pretty well.

1987

+1

KonAaron Snake 

I like their Deore, XT, XTR, DX and LX stuff quite a bit...especially when it was alloy and attractive. 7700 is a decent mix between aesthetics and function, but it has the crappy Shimano front trim and it seems to jam up too often.

I'd get an AX group as a curiosity, but that's about the only interest I'd have in it.

Shimagnolo

I still have an 8s XT crankset on my mtn bike, way back from the era when they actually *polished* aluminum parts, instead of throwing a coat of black or silver paint on them.

cb400bill

I like the 600 Arabesque downtube shifters.

Wildwood 

I don't currently own ShimaNo on any of my 6 single roadies. I do like that the industry giant supports the racing scene. And most importantly that the industry giant is also an innovator. They keep challenging Campy & SRAM to improve and adapt.

Bianchigirll 

STX hubs.

Chombi

Uhmmm..,.. nothing Shimano really attracts me.
Frankly, I think I'd go Suntour Superbe or Cyclone Mk II any day, before considering anything C&V Shimano....

PatTheSlat 

I think in the late 80s-very early 90s, after the introduction of SIS but before brifters, Shimano was absolutely the best stuff out there. If you're building a bike with brifters, I'd take Campy any day, because I find it extremely irritating when expensive things are designed to be disposable (off topic, but this is also why I do not own and never plan on owning a tablet computer). And of course pre-85, Suntour was king. But from about 1985-1993ish, I feel that Shimano was objectively the best available.

1050 is an amazing group as far as functionality and value is concerned. I feel that the brakes especially are leagues ahead of what everyone else was making in the 80s.

There will probably be a lot of love for 600 Tricolor in this thread, and rightfully so- it's a good looking, good performing group.

Finally, if you can deal with the index compatibility issues, I think the Dura Ace 7400 series rear derailleurs are some of the prettiest ever made, and with a slant parallogram, centeron pulley, and sprung top pivot, they're tough to beat as far as shifting performance is concerned. I'm running one with Suntour friction bar-ends on my Super Course. The 7400 series cranksets are very nice as well.

cdale4ever 

+100 on the 1050 brakes. Things of beauty...

Narhay

M730/732 XT is the bees knees.

JohnDThompson 

I like their Dura-Ace and 600 series freewheels. Really crème de la crème for freewheels, as far as I'm concerned.

wrk101

DA 7400 STI, Tricolor 6400 STI, and late 1980s/early 1990s Deore XT, LX, and DX.

repechage

Actually, I like the freehub concept they came up with. Ahead of its time in 1979. I even have a NOS set in a box with the cassette.
The Dyna-Drive pedal and crank system, interesting thinking.
The 7400 DuraAce road group gets my respect. They finally achieved Campagnolo quality, and the first generation SIS cannot be ignored as to its impact on cycling.

thinktubes 

The shoes!

Steve Whitlatch 

Well us poor folk need to shift our bikes too. LOL

So exactly how much faster does the top Campagnolo shift over a Shimano Tiagra brifter set up?

Bogester 

I like this.. 40 years old and shifts perfectly



For the "new" stuff....these are pretty sweet.

oldskoolwrench

A105 'Golden Arrow' (the first 105 "grupo")
600 Arabesque
'Deerhead' Deore XT (and every iteration afterward, up to M738)
Deore DX & LX
STX-RC (R. DR)

ALL of their SIS Bar End shifters (exc. D/A)
The SharkFin
GritSpitt

And... the H-Ball/JT Straddle Yoke.

Lascauxcaveman 

For groovy 70s vintage looks and decent performance, 600 Arabesque anything.

Deore LX, DX, XT in the old Black+alloy combo for best mix of clean, smart looks and great shifting on wide range gearing, which is mostly what I run. The newer stuff shifts just as well, but looks kinda clunky like all modern Shimano stuff with its looks inspired by the special effects team of the "Alien" franchise or something.

"Flawless shifting, thy name is Deore."

ThermionicScott 

Yep. My not-really-that-clever line is that I prefer bike stuff from the "Cosby Show" era.

Michael Angelo 

Positron.

1987

A lot of good insights in the replies.

Yes, the Dura Ace 7400 series is nice. I wouldn't be ashamed with it, but still Dura-Ace AX would be much more fun
VeloBase.com - View Group
But what a non userfriendly name, what does 7400 refer to?

1987

Yes SIS Bar End shifters are good.
+ for SharkFin creativity

SJX426 

Giving my opion does not come with much expereince. Most of my experiences have been with the old Simplex Prestige and Campagnolo NR. The Rockhopper the original STX, which I am not happy with. Very sensitive to how much oil is on the chain and still has challenges in shifting between a couple of cogs but fine with the others.

My recent purchase of a Pinarello with 7402/3 parts has been an eye opener. I took it out for a round the block spin last night and ended up taking 3. Wow, the shifts are incredible with the DT levers. Just flick the left one and you are immediately in gear. This is an 8 sp system. Nearly everything on it is Dura Ace except post, stem and headset. I am impressed.

Although I have a near complete group of Superbe Pro, It is not installed on the intended frame yet. My tandem has 6 speed Accushift which works well too but nothing like the Dura Ace.