My all-time favorite component group is the 80's Mavic SSC group, Although admittedly there was a lot of it contracted out to other Italian and in one case (brakes) Japanese companies with the magic of re-branding, there was enough French DNA in the group through the years it was issued that it works nicely on "Tout French" builds. Add to that the uniqueness of the derailleur and crank designs (Most notably the "Erector" style RD, Mektronic RD and the "Starfish" cranks) so that unique and awesome builds can be easy to achieve with them.

Second to the Mavic SSC Group, I love the Spidels. My ideal Spidel group would have the following:
Spidel/Stronglight 106 crankset (Much nicer than the higher model 107, IMO)
Spidel/Stronglight A9 headset
Spidel/Mafac LS sidepull brakes
Spidel/Simplex fluted seatpost
Spidel/Maillard 700 hubs
Spidel/Maillard 700 7S super compact Freewheel
Spidel/Simplex SLJ6600 derailleur set
Spidel/Maillard 700 pedals
Not sure if there ever was a Spidel (Atax?) stem.....or a Spidel (Stronglight?) BB, but I'd take one of each too...

Slap these Spidel components on any top line mid 80's French racing bike and you will have a masterpiece! Tout French!


Chombi