What are the best looking vintage components?
10-11-16, 05:53 PM
#27
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Also, Phil Woods hubs.
Nummy, even when grubby. I ride my CSI constantly.
CSI rebuild. Fun. by gomango1849, on Flickr
Nummy, even when grubby. I ride my CSI constantly.
CSI rebuild. Fun. by gomango1849, on Flickr
10-11-16, 06:04 PM
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10-11-16, 06:12 PM
#31
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didn't read the whole thread
I may have to throw my .02 cents in both modern a nd vintage threads with these 2 choices, because I think they are riding the fence between eras
--- but has anyone mentioned the Starfish Mavic group yet?
Also --- this may seem controversial because its not the highest end group, but I truly like 600 tri color when its in good condition- love the polished aluminum off set with the anodized battleship grey accents --- looks oh so good on any color frame IMO
I re-count the story of my first titanium bike crush on occasion, --- but when a guy at the local club in '92 showed up with a Merlin with 600 tri color , I was in love. As was the custom of the time, the cranks had been replaced with purple anodized Top Lines, and anything else available in purple had been tossed on there (derailleur pulleys, spoke nipples, etc )
His buddy had the same bike with the 600 groupset but no purple
I may have to throw my .02 cents in both modern a nd vintage threads with these 2 choices, because I think they are riding the fence between eras
--- but has anyone mentioned the Starfish Mavic group yet?
Also --- this may seem controversial because its not the highest end group, but I truly like 600 tri color when its in good condition- love the polished aluminum off set with the anodized battleship grey accents --- looks oh so good on any color frame IMO
I re-count the story of my first titanium bike crush on occasion, --- but when a guy at the local club in '92 showed up with a Merlin with 600 tri color , I was in love. As was the custom of the time, the cranks had been replaced with purple anodized Top Lines, and anything else available in purple had been tossed on there (derailleur pulleys, spoke nipples, etc )
His buddy had the same bike with the 600 groupset but no purple
10-11-16, 06:21 PM
#32
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10-11-16, 07:15 PM
#33
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well then, thank you for the high quality image!
And since im posting again, these golf ball style Soubitez headlights with all the wires routed through the front rack look so awesome:
ReneHerseRack_lg.jpg
And since im posting again, these golf ball style Soubitez headlights with all the wires routed through the front rack look so awesome:
ReneHerseRack_lg.jpg
10-11-16, 07:47 PM
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Simplex Gold edition looks nice.
Sorry for the ugly pictures
Sorry for the ugly pictures
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10-11-16, 07:59 PM
#35
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Despite the OPs distaste for them, I have such a soft spot in my heart for NR and SR Campy components. They fill one of the primary tenets of engineering that a professor drummed into us at university, Simple Elegance. Even the Superlegerra quill pedals look purposeful and efficient, and Hi flange or Lo flange hubs, either type is so cleanly designed and crafted.
They don't have extraneous metal anywhere, just good work on the various parts of each component, and they do their job quite well, in my experience. Does not matter whether a crankset has NR or SR rings to me, they both fit the bill to me. YMMV.
Bill
They don't have extraneous metal anywhere, just good work on the various parts of each component, and they do their job quite well, in my experience. Does not matter whether a crankset has NR or SR rings to me, they both fit the bill to me. YMMV.
Bill
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10-11-16, 08:18 PM
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+1
I'd put a chain through that derailleur and wear it as jewelery.
I'd put a chain through that derailleur and wear it as jewelery.
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10-11-16, 10:20 PM
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10-12-16, 05:49 AM
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I have 5500-series components on a '92 Trek 1000 that I really like. Brakes, FD, RD, shifters. I haven't installed the brake levers, yet, 'cause I don't want to re-wrap the bars, and they came with white hoods, which I won't use. Once I get the urge to put some new tape on the bars, I'll find some black hoods, and complete that part of the upgrade. I don't know if I'll ever go so far as to swap the crankset or hubs, unless something breaks. I have some newer 105 hubs that I might consider using, someday. I think they're 5800 (11-speed?), and I'm already using friction shifting, and the dropouts measured at 128.5 mm, so I may be able to get a few more cogs on there. The hubs are black, though, so I'll probably just build those wheels for my newer road bike, which is Sora 9-speed, and already mostly black. Thinking about it, I guess I should start looking for some 105 hubs in silver!
10-12-16, 05:50 AM
#43
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10-12-16, 06:22 AM
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I agree. I also recognize that the NR derailleur was important and would like to have a bike with a NR group. But I do not find it a good looking part.
10-12-16, 06:26 AM
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Aesthetically, Dura-Ace AX has always been my favourite group.
10-12-16, 08:05 AM
#46
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Funny this thread should pop up at this time. Though it has taken me a while to understand it, my interest in vintage bicycles focuses on their visual appeal. I no longer kid myself that a late sixties Atala Professional, fitted with period correct components, can offer the ride quality or user friendly appeal of some of the top dogs offered today. With that in mind, and that is my opinion, based on personal experience only...
The important thing I seek now, when considering my next vintage bicycle street restoration is how much visual and vintage appeal the bike will present. I guess this is the thinking that powered my recent all chrome Torpado build...
Carnelli steering stem...
Balilla brakes...
Campy chrome transmission...
Chrome cottered cranks...
Nothing on this puppy is high end, but it reeks of vintage appeal. Everything works pretty good, compared to what I prefer to ride these days, and the ride quality is just fine, but no as fine as a couple of other bikes in my mini-collection.
The important thing I seek now, when considering my next vintage bicycle street restoration is how much visual and vintage appeal the bike will present. I guess this is the thinking that powered my recent all chrome Torpado build...
Carnelli steering stem...
Balilla brakes...
Campy chrome transmission...
Chrome cottered cranks...
Nothing on this puppy is high end, but it reeks of vintage appeal. Everything works pretty good, compared to what I prefer to ride these days, and the ride quality is just fine, but no as fine as a couple of other bikes in my mini-collection.
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10-12-16, 08:11 AM
#47
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Campagnolo Nuovo Record, the whole group. They had a singular vision and looked like jewels compared to most everything else at the time. Hand carved patterns led to a much different look than the CAD/CNC everything we are accustomed to today.
Stronglight 93 cranksets as well as the later 105 are quite pretty and underappreciated IMO. Also add my vote for the Huret Jubilee derailleurs.
Stronglight 93 cranksets as well as the later 105 are quite pretty and underappreciated IMO. Also add my vote for the Huret Jubilee derailleurs.
10-12-16, 08:27 AM
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What I love about them is that they kept early-60's design and aesthetics pretty much unchanged through about 1986. That's part of what makes them iconic. I also happen to love their looks and function. Good enough for 80% of my bikes.
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10-12-16, 08:45 AM
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Although the function of the RD, especially with Synchro, wasn't what it could be I have to vote for the original Chorus from '88. Not too vintage but beautiful nonetheless. Those beautiful arched Monoplanor brakes and that low profile crank were simply fabulous! The C-Record was beautiful and had my attention until Chorus came along. The graceful lines made the C-Rec look over built like a Russian apartment block.
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10-12-16, 08:57 AM
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These Campagnolo brake levers with any series Monoplanar brakes. Not sure what levers these are as found them at a swap meet.
Also some Zeus downtube shifters, but I can't find a picture. Will have to get one when next I visit my oldest son & edit them in. Don
Also some Zeus downtube shifters, but I can't find a picture. Will have to get one when next I visit my oldest son & edit them in. Don