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Components Menu: Picking your BEST without constraints
For your ideal vintage road bike, what would you pick as your BEST 60s-70s-80s components? No constraints applicable, just picking your “dream team” parts without worrying about period-consistency, compatibility, money, etc. For example you might want Simplex retrofriction shifters with Suntour Cyclone rear derailleur, Campagnolo SR crankset, Shimano Dura-Ace calipers, and so on…
I’ll aggregate the votes, curious to see what comes out… ~~~~~~~~ POLL RESULTS:
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The "best"?
That seems pretty subjective, but in the interest of generating some discussion, let me toss out one candidate. This is the Stronglight Delta headset. Like the nearly identical A9, it is a lightweight but robust design based on the use of roller bearings. The bearings and some conical washers are steel, but the rest is aluminum. https://live.staticflickr.com/7070/6...d5b6d0_c_d.jpg https://live.staticflickr.com/7058/6...860edc_c_d.jpg I've got two Deltas and one A9 on my bikes, and they have been great! Two have over 50,000 miles on them, and the A9 has seen much less mileage on my Raleigh Team bike... https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...5e56e0_c_d.jpg The only downside is that there is a bit more drag when the fork turns left and right. This can be a positive if there is a shimmy issue on the bike, but it does make it less clear when the bearings are adjusted just right. These Stronglight headsets are no longer in production, but I believe there are some similar ones still being made Steve in Peoria |
Originally Posted by steelbikeguy
(Post 23047203)
The "best"?
That seems pretty subjective I will sum up the votes for each component in my initial message, hopefully we’ll see enough contributions to have a significant conclusion for the poll… |
SHIFTERS: Dura-Ace
REAR DER.: Dura-Ace FRONT DER.: Mavic SSC BRAKE LEVERS: Modolo Professional BRAKE CALIPERS: Modolo Professional (aftermarket shoes) CRANK: Super Record PEDALS: MKS Sylvan (new prod) BOTTOM BRACKET: 2000ish Chorus HEADSET: Nuovo Record HUBS: Record RIMS: Mavic GP4 tubular |
Alright, I’ll play:
SHIFTERS: Simplex retrofriction REAR DER.: Suntour Cyclone FRONT DER.: Suntour Cyclone BRAKE LEVERS: Campagnolo C-Record BRAKE CALIPERS: Suntour Superbe CRANK: TA Cyclotouriste PEDALS: Suntour Superbe, Christophe clips, Binda straps BOTTOM BRACKET: EDCO Competition HEADSET: Stronglight A9 HUBS: Campagnolo Record HF RIMS: thin and shiny, don’t care what FW: Suntour Winner Pro Had 70% of this on my Cino bike. If I ever downsize to a single bike, this would be it. Deciding on a frame would be torture, however. |
Originally Posted by panzerwagon
(Post 23047319)
Deciding on a frame would be torture, however.
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What might also be helpful would be which version (Dura Ace...7401, 7402, 7410, 7700, etc).
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A: the best to do what? I'm into touring so my components would be considered garbage to a racer.
B: the time range is just too broad to be meaningful. It is biased towards the latter years where all manufacturers kept improving components. Heck 1984 alone was a seminal year when the suntour slanted parallelogram parent expired and just about everybody jumped into that bandwagon. My vintage bikes are not better than modern bikes. I just like them better than better bikes. Same for the components. |
the Stronglight A9, best headset ever ! agreed.
other candidates for the list: : TA Carmina cranks, Campagnolo "Doppler" shifters, Dura Ace MF-7400 Freewheel etc etc /markp |
The one part I am 100% certain about: the old Campy two-bolt seat post. With the correct wrench (meaning a ratcheting 10mm closed-end, swivel head preferred but not essential), setting up the seat is a low-grade PITA (without the right wrench, it is a medium- to high-grade PITA). But it is truly micro-adjustable in a way that no one-bolt design is and once set, it will not slip, Period. When I was starting out, a Campy seatpost was the ne plus ultra, and any non-French bike worthy of attention had one. I still remember how thrilled I was to get my first one, and seeing one on one of my bikes always reminds me of that thrill. The more modern Nitto S83 (with the two allen bolts on the bottom) works as well and looks good, but it doesn't scratch that nostalgia itch the way the Campy one does. At least for me.
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The younger me already went through this with Dura Ace 7400/7401 drivetrain and brakes, pedals, and Suntour Superbe Pro hubs.
I have also run Suntour Cyclone which is great, but DA edges them out. My current road setup, on the same frame, consists of Ultegra 6503 crank, 7700 hubs, and XTR M900 derailleurs. For me the XTR M900 are DA on steroids as I’m running 14-36 8 speed with downtube shifters. John |
Race bike:
Shimano Dura-Ace 7400 7-speed ~1988 which would come with 7402 levers, my absolute favorite. Shimano 6400-era 600, 7-speed as well. Both full groups, including hubs and headsets. I have 7s 6400 on a bike right now. Beautiful aesthetically and functionally. Not that expensive either. Suntour's Superbe Pro peak would be the very early 90's with 7/8-speed Accushift Plus, which I've more or less had and really enjoyed, but for the sake of 60s/70s/80s classification, it gets left out. Touring bike: all-80s all the time SHIFTERS: Retrofriction shifters (classic looped teardrop shape) with no label/engraving REAR DER.: Suntour Mountech GTL (longest cage) or Superbe Tech GTL RD (which I've had, are wonderful, just require a weird cable routing...--honorable mention) FRONT DER.: Suntour Mountech (gotta match!) BRAKE LEVERS: Late-'80s Suntour Superbe Pro aero levers BRAKE CALIPERS: Shimano MC70 cantis (match the Suntour/Sugino/Dia-Compe gang better) CRANK: Sugino AT, 175mm length PEDALS: Shimano Dura-Ace 7810 or Ultegra 6620 SPD-SL pedals (sorry, need it for the knees!) BOTTOM BRACKET: Suntour SA (Superbe or Vx), adjustable chainline HEADSET: Suntour Superbe/Superbe Pro (Tange Levin/Campy NR-esque style) HUBS: Suntour Superbe Pro FW hubset (mid to late-'80s) FREEWHEEL/CASSETTE: Suntour Perfect/Compe/Winner wide-range 6-speed (12/13T - 28/30/32t) RIMS: Mavic MA2, 700C, 32H, polished This means I really need to find a 1983 Trek 720.... |
Originally Posted by AdventureManCO
(Post 23047632)
What might also be helpful would be which version (Dura Ace...7401, 7402, 7410, 7700, etc).
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Originally Posted by bikingshearer
(Post 23047977)
correct wrench (meaning a ratcheting 10mm closed-end, swivel head preferred but not essential)
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Originally Posted by JackJohn
(Post 23048115)
Still have to find that wrench… not that I searched much admittedly…
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Originally Posted by JackJohn
(Post 23048115)
Still have to find that wrench… not that I searched much admittedly…
Originally Posted by bikingshearer
(Post 23048171)
Most hardware stores will have one, Thye are also readily available on line. With a Brooks or Ideale saddle, you can usually work the nuts from the side. For most others, go in from the back - the range of motion will be small, but the ratchet makes quick work of it. Make sure the ratchet end is 12-point, not 6-point, to amke sure you can get the initial grip on the nut.
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Originally Posted by bikingshearer
(Post 23048171)
Most hardware stores will have one, Thye are also readily available on line. With a Brooks or Ideale saddle, you can usually work the nuts from the side. For most others, go in from the back - the range of motion will be small, but the ratchet makes quick work of it. Make sure the ratchet end is 12-point, not 6-point, to amke sure you can get the initial grip on the nut.
The post that fits the C&V style perfectly though is in production now (I believe) is the lugged steel Nitto with its ton of setback. Elegant, a lot lighter than it looks (makes the old NR feel like a boat anchor) and is a joy to set up and use. Beautifully made. My Mooney is wearing one. |
Originally Posted by bikingshearer
(Post 23048171)
Most hardware stores will have one, Thye are also readily available on line. With a Brooks or Ideale saddle, you can usually work the nuts from the side. For most others, go in from the back - the range of motion will be small, but the ratchet makes quick work of it. Make sure the ratchet end is 12-point, not 6-point, to amke sure you can get the initial grip on the nut.
Originally Posted by 79pmooney
(Post 23048192)
The Campy "Z" wrench also works well. Just not as fast. I believe it will do a Brooks Pro from the side. I think I can still find mine if somebody wants it.
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Anyway, back to the poll: updated results in the initial post…
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Two more parts have come to mind:
Saddle - San Marco Rolls, especially the Titanio, but the steel-railed version is more than fine. Rolls saddles are on all my bikes because they just work for my butt. Saddles are the ultimate YMMV component, but once I found the Rolls, I stopped looking. Shifters - Suntour barcons. They shift better than any other friction shifter I have encountered (Suntour Power-ratchet down tube shifters work as well, but they are on the down tube and I don't want to have to reach that far any more), the are easy to work on, and they look good. |
Originally Posted by JackJohn
(Post 23048115)
Still have to find that wrench… not that I searched much admittedly…
I like to set the saddle angle with the front bolt and then tighten the rear bolt till snug. as for the "best vintage components" I built this bike (853 frame by Kevin Sayles) with best of everything vintage gear including Phil hubs, Paul centerpull brakes, Campagnolo derailleurs, TA Carmina cranks, etc. I rode this bike today as a matter of fact. Very nice ride. /markp https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...1ed2033f6d.jpg |
road bikes
brifters for all other road bike projects : Dura Ace ST-7801 shifters on two bikes: Dura Ace SL-7900 brave levers for two bikes : Dura Ace BL7410 bottom bracket: Dura Ace BB7700/BB7800 crankset: FC7700/7800 on four steel road bike frame , carbon cranks on four alumnium road bike frames and one steelroad bike frame brakes: Dura Ace BR 7700 on my Peugeot Prestige, the rest of the bike BR 7800 front derailleur: Dura Ace FD 7700 on the Peugeot for therest ofthe bikes FD 7800 rear derailleur: Dura Ace RD 7800 cassette: Dura AceCS 7800 on all bikes chain: Dura Ace CN 7800 or Ultegra 6600 headset: the Grandis , the Pinarello and the Coppi have a Campy record headset, the CT Wallis a Modus headset, my Vetta a Stronglight XD94, my Peugeot a Cane creek headset,my Veneto a Campy record heaset, my Trek a Tange Levin, the Cannondale will have a Cane Creek, the Daccordi will get a Campy Record headset since the Chris King was defective saddle: Flite or Turbomatic 2/3 or Century wheels: Most of my steel road frames will get mavic Cosmic Pro, my Grandis will get my Mavic Cosmic Expert, my Vetta the Mavic CosmicCarbon first generation my CT Wallis will get the Mavic Helium,my road aluminium frames Zipp 60 and 404. pedals: older look delta seat post: Dura Ace 7402/7410/Look Carbon/ Easton Taperwall/Flite Carbon tube: slime tubes tires: conti grand prix 4 seasons mountain bikes shifters: Shimano XT SL T8000 on all of the bikes except the Gary Fisher front derailleur: Shimano XT FD T8000 L Top Swing on the Merida, Scapin, Jamis /Shimano XT FD T8000 H Down Swing on the Kona, Trek6700 SLR and Trek 6500SLR/Shimano XTR FD T980H Down Swingon the Gary Fisher rear derailleur: RD XT 780 T on all of the bikes except the Gary Fisher which gets the RD XT 980 M Shadow derailleur brake levers:XT BL 780V on all bikes V brakes: XT BR-T780 on all bikes pedals: Shimano Deore XT-PD8000T on the Trek 6700SLR, Trek 6500SLR, Gary Fisher and Giant Bronco/Shimano Deore XT-PD780T on the Kona, Scapin and Merida rims: Mavic D521 which be laced to Hope hubs with DT Aerolite spokes and Conti Race King tires for the Trek 6700SLR, Trek 6500SLR and Gary Fisher, the Giant Bronco will haveMavic Crossmax Mk 1 Wheels with Hutchninson Python Gold Tires, the Kona, Scapin and Merida have Mavic XM819 rims laced to DT hubs and fitted with Conti Mountain King cassette: XT CS 771M 10 speed on all my MTB cranks: XT-FC781T and XT -FC781M exception made of the Trek 6700, the Gary Fisher and the Giant Bronco tubes: michelin protek tires: continental race king or mountain king |
Originally Posted by JackJohn
(Post 23048455)
Thanks guys, I always had the Campy 771 “Z” wrench in mind but never crossed path, in alternative the ratchet/flexible-head one on Amazon will do. 79pmooney if you have that campy 771 I’ll be interested.
But to keep this transaction proper and above board, it should be a fair trade. Do you have anything that would look in place on a sweet Pro Miyata race bike? (Currently Campy triple cranked, Cyclone FD, RD and brakes. Not perfectly period but all totally fitting in the context of '83 race. Sewups, GP4s. I think it was Superbe in its former life.) Or maybe a sweet something you'll never actually use. (Like this wrench I've carried around almost 50 years.) |
Dura-Ace 7700 crank 7800 mechs, 7900 cassette and downtube shifters.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...926d601_3k.jpgUntitled by nemosengineer, on Flickr : Mike |
The bike that lives in my dreams:
3rensho Aerodynamics Suntour Symetric shifters Suntour Cyclone front and rear derailleurs Sugino Aero Mighty crank & pedals Sintour Superbe hubs Diacomp AGC brakes and levers Sugino stem and seat post Galli anodized rims Concor Profil saddle All based on emotion. Based on function replace all with Shimano 7400/7700. |
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