Equipment/Product Review (1987) SHIMANO 600 Ultegra (600 update preview)
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Equipment/Product Review (1987) SHIMANO 600 Ultegra (600 update preview)

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Thanks for posting this review. Just last week I picked up this Schwinn 974, which came fully equipped with 600 Tricolor, with the exception of the seatpost and stem. The performance is fantastic.

All I did was to add new bar tape and my Brooks Pro.

All I did was to add new bar tape and my Brooks Pro.
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legendary group that gave the campy chorus and athena a very serious for their money. Smoothness and SIS indexation were much better than Campy Syncroshifting
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More closeup pics of my 600 group.

Even the brake shoes still work fine (here on a
flat coastal barrier island).

Every shift is perfect. No rattle nor hesitation.

I also added my own SPD pedals peeking into the picture. Love the BioPace goodness!

Even the brake shoes still work fine (here on a


Every shift is perfect. No rattle nor hesitation.

I also added my own SPD pedals peeking into the picture. Love the BioPace goodness!
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Thanks for posting the article. The term "Tri-color" is nowhere to be found...
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Beautiful bike Pastorbob, been looking for one of those one size up, enjoy!
Tim
Tim
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I definitely enjoy seeing these parts maintained in like-new condition, Pastor. Well done!
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As purchased.
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Bob
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An amazing find!
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Very nice. Ultegra/Tricolor is my second-favorite group, although I prefer the later 8-speed components with dual pivot brake calipers, paired with a compact (for old men) crankset.
Also really like the non-aero Euro-centric brake levers.
Got a couple 640X groups in excellent condition stashed away for potential future builds, including hubs and wheelsets.
Here, on the Bob Jackson:
Also really like the non-aero Euro-centric brake levers.
Got a couple 640X groups in excellent condition stashed away for potential future builds, including hubs and wheelsets.
Here, on the Bob Jackson:

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Very nice. Ultegra/Tricolor is my second-favorite group, although I prefer the later 8-speed components with dual pivot brake calipers, paired with a compact (for old men) crankset.
Also really like the non-aero Euro-centric brake levers.
Got a couple 640X groups in excellent condition stashed away for potential future builds, including hubs and wheelsets.
Here, on the Bob Jackson:

Also really like the non-aero Euro-centric brake levers.
Got a couple 640X groups in excellent condition stashed away for potential future builds, including hubs and wheelsets.
Here, on the Bob Jackson:

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They are 50/34 on a Sugino TD series 110bcd double, 175 arms. paired with a 12-30 cassette.
I actually use a 48/34 combo more these days.
Only change was to lower the FD a bit. Shifts very smoothly.
Rode this with PastorBob and the Texas club guys down in TX hill country in April.
Lots of shifting, worked geat. And a nice bunch of guys.
I actually use a 48/34 combo more these days.
Only change was to lower the FD a bit. Shifts very smoothly.
Rode this with PastorBob and the Texas club guys down in TX hill country in April.
Lots of shifting, worked geat. And a nice bunch of guys.
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7 speed tricolor. My favorite group for just riding.

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#15
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Still my favorite groupset all times! I have now built the majority of my bikes with this groupset, cheaper than Dura Ace 740X, easier to source and understand than Campagnolo, looks good and great quality. One of my next builds will also use this superb groupset, allthough in 8 speed with aero levers l.
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My Davidson Impulse is a mix of the 600/Tri-color parts. The bike is always a joy to ride and I'm always thinking about upgrade it. Then I ride it again, the groupset works so perfectly, and I decide not to mess with perfection.





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Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
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My first experience with the Shimano 600 group was just a handful of years ago when I was gifted a Trek 600 bike that was too small for me. I completely went through the bike as it had been sitting for many years after the original owner was involved in a serious car accident just weeks after buying his bike. He never got to ride it. It was very near NOS. I had to test ride it so I put a long seat post on it and took it for ride . The 600 group was pretty amazing and the shifting was accurate and smooth , the brakes were very effective and I particularly liked the feel of the brake levers. I am , by my history , a Campy guy and go for bikes about a decade earlier than the Trek but I have to say ,that Shimano 600 stuff is top notch. I am now building a mid to late eighties Medici and am putting Shimano 600 brakes on it , they stop so much better than other side pull brakes. Oh , and I ended up giving the Trek to my son in law for him to enjoy.
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#19
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Love this groupset! (and an excuse to post it with another lovely late-'80s Schwinn)

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#20
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How is the front shifting/trimming? For use with brifters, Shimano says that you may need to change the position of the cable attachment to the lower side of the bolt. Even has a special groove for this attachment point. Also, there is a spring adjustment feature for the cage return tension.
Rear derailleur also has spring adjustment if needed to overcome the additional cable length/housing drag.
Just a FYI, if needed. See Shimano instructions for details.
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Nice bike!!
How is the front shifting/trimming? For use with brifters, Shimano says that you may need to change the position of the cable attachment to the lower side of the bolt. Even has a special groove for this attachment point. Also, there is a spring adjustment feature for the cage return tension.
Rear derailleur also has spring adjustment if needed to overcome the additional cable length/housing drag.
Just a FYI, if needed. See Shimano instructions for details.
How is the front shifting/trimming? For use with brifters, Shimano says that you may need to change the position of the cable attachment to the lower side of the bolt. Even has a special groove for this attachment point. Also, there is a spring adjustment feature for the cage return tension.
Rear derailleur also has spring adjustment if needed to overcome the additional cable length/housing drag.
Just a FYI, if needed. See Shimano instructions for details.
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Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
#22
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The FD for the early brifters (DA & Ultegra) had this option. A few of the MTB FD also had spring adjusters.
#23
Newbie
Thanks for sharing this review. All my road bikes came with this stock and I love this groupset.
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