msherman

Hi, Just bought a KG-66 frame set and am curious what type of components I should be looking at. I am new to this, first time to build a bike. Here is the frame.

I am looking at this group. Campagnolo Chorus 7 Speed Group 1988 C Record Era | eBay

Chombi

If I owned that frameset, I'd most likely go with a full late 80's/early 90's French Group like later Mavic SSC (840 RD, 460 Brakeset, 2nd gen "starfish" crankset....etc.)....... but then, pretty much all my French bikes, except one, is set up with Mavic SSC stuff, so I am very biased towards the group.

jetboy 

My Japanese market kg96 (ex college level race bike) came with dura-ace 7400 and it was lovely. I am not sure you can really beat early dura-ace - though others will disagree.

its fun to go with all Mavic just to keep it french.. but they did not actually come that way. so its sort of up to you.

PS: pretty envious of your buy- did you get it off ebay? I would have but it was too small. - hope you post more when you build her up.

gaucho777 

Cool project! I noticed this frame when it was on ebay. I don't remember this model. Did the KG66 model pre-date the KG86 frame (used by the '86 La Vie Claire team)? Was this the original Look carbon frame?

I think that Chorus group would be a great choice. Not sure if the group you linked is the best deal though. Adding the rest of the parts will make it a fairly costly build, if that's a concern. Might be better off looking for a donor bike with a similar group and swap out the parts. I assume the frame is 126mm rear spacing? If that's the case, you don't want to squeeze in a 130mm rear wheel (though the cable pods suggest the previous have done so). That chorus derailleur is a great option in this case because it can handle pretty wide range of gears.

I have a Look KG86 I plan to build up once I decide on my own build plan (and save for parts).

msherman

Thanks @jetboy! I also think I can find a better deal with dura-ace. And yes, ebay! How tall are you? This is a pretty big frame... haha. Thanks for the info! If this were a more rare/collector's type frame I would definitely keep it french and original, but this is something I hope to ride and have fun with.
@Gaucho77 the rear spacing is actually 130, so this would work, but what do you mean by "donor bike"? Also, what gearing do you think this originally came with? 8-speed?

gaucho777 

Food for thought: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vi...edition-3.html

jetboy 

I do not think dura-ace is any less expensive than chorus.. anyway you turn for quality vintage its going to cost you. and I would count that frame as rare/collector. how many others are on ebay right now? (0) how many on Craigslist.. in every state and country? (0) Kijiji? (0)

how about ebay international?? (0)

it is one of the first carbon fibre road bikes ever made - by the company that put CF on the racing and road riding map.

(I am 6'2")

gaucho777 

A "donor bike" is a bike you buy for the parts. It's much easier on the wallet to get a complete bike worth of parts this way ratehr than buying each part separately or even in mini-groups and then adding wheels, stem, saddle, etc. Sometimes you can take advantage of the fact the "donor bike" may have a defect such as dent or lots of scratches, or maybe it's just very large/small frame which limits the potential buyers. You can then resell the frame to mitigate your total cost.

Again, I'm not familiar with the KG66 model. My hunch tells me that it may have been a precursor to the KG86 frame built in 1986. It certainly shares a lot of characteristics of the KG86 frame. But that was before 130mm spacing became common (around 1987-1988). There was a sort of in between period when some builders put our frames that were 128mm in order to accommodate both 6/7-speed (126mm) and 8-speed (130mm). My Look KG86 is such a frame, so maybe yours is, too. I notice your frame has the cable pods on the DT which indicates it is likely the previous owner used this with brifters and presumably a 130mm rear wheel. It's not recommended to re-space a bonded CF frame, but if it started at 128mm then the extra 2mm is likely not a big deal. Anyway, you asked what gearing came on this originally, and this is a long-winded way of saying I Don't Know.

gaucho777 

Also, I suspect your frame takes a 25mm seat post. They are available, but aren't as common as some of the larger diameter posts.

msherman

Thank all of you for all of the information! You guys are good! Haha. Another question... How can I tell if something like this would fit? https://boston.craigslist.org/bmw/bop/5007206162.html

Chombi

The GL330 wheel is great. It's a nice strong and stable rim that is also quite light, but it would be nice if there was a matching front....

sd6396

I saw your group and thought you all may know the answer. I'm searching for a seat post bolt for a KG66. My brother owns the bike and can't locate the bolt. The bike is in pristine condition. He'd rather not purchase an entire frame for several hundred dollars and before he tries to "Macgyver" a solution I thought I'd see if any Look enthusiasts may know where I may get one. Or, if you know of alternative that does not ruin the integrity of the bike. thanks

jetboy 

I have never had a kg66 so not sure about the seatpost bolt..if its the same as the later ones its 2 wedges, one with a bevel in it to fit the post and a bolt through. whatever you do don't buy the one on ebay for $99. they have it for $10 at

LOOK Frame Seat Post Bolt KG 451/361/381/481 | JE James Cycles

the picture does not show the 2nd wedge though...

sd6396

Thanks Jetboy. I'm not sure that will work...I will contact them to see...I'll let you and group know how I get on

sd6396

Thanks Jetboy...not sure this will work. I'll contact them to ask and let you and the group know how I get on...cheers