80's Drivetrain throwdown...
 

OK, C&Vers here is the question:

If you had to choose one of the following 80's era drivetrains to hang on your classic 80's frame, which would you choose? Assume downtube shifters, indexed on the DA, and riding anything between a brisk 20 miler to a weekend 100K.

The contenders:

84-85 SunTour Superbe Pro

85-86 Shimano Dura-Ace 7400

84-85 Campagnolo Nuovo Record


Let the throwdown begin...
:beer:


stan
.

Dura Ace. Lp

There is an assumed aspect that one's choice of freewheel and chain will be the same (I assume Regina Oro) for the Nuovo Record group - and I do not believe NR lasted past '84. SR, yes.

That said, if given the option, I would choose NR over the other two provided it was equipped with a Shimano 600 UG freewheel and chain. If options are limited to the Regina Oro combination, my second choice would be Superbe Pro. If Campag Super Record were added to the list, I'd prefer it over Superbe Pro and NR.

-Kurt

If its an Italian frame, only Campagnolo.

Otherwise the Suntour, just to be different.

DA is on half of my bikes, SR on the other half. They are both good.

I pick dura-ace from these 3. (that's what I have on my bike).

But what about campy C-Record??? Is that an option??

Doug
1986 Alpine

I generally choose my vintage components for aesthetics rather than functionality unless I have a compelling reason. If functionality were a major concern then I'd be riding a modern bike so for an Italian bike I would have to pick NR although SR would be my first choice for that era and I can't think of any reason why I'd be riding anything other than an Italian bike from that period.

There you guys go...always wanting to change the rules!:D


stan
.

This one is easy.

Japanese, Superbe.

Euro, Super Record, or Record, or Nuevo Record.

D/A is really nice, just don't hang it on a sleek Italian Goddess.

7400 Dura Ace without a question. Glad I built my Rossin that way. And Italian bikes only have to have Campagnolo if how it looks is more important than how it performs.

See folks, the question was, if you HAD to choose 1 of the trio, so they are it.

For me, DA 7400, hands down. Thanks, belly.

And your point is...? ;)

When I was racing and paying for my own stuff (still pay for my own stuff, just don't race anymore) I used a non-index Suntour Sprint RD and Campy SR front (still do, on my old crit bike). Now that a Superbe FD (endless band era) has come my way I'd be leaning toward the all-Superbe option. Of course, using a New Winner FW, my all time favorite.

Campy is a close second. Pretty! Get some pantograph shift levers to match your frame like I had on my Olmo.

Shimano DA 7400 is not even in the picture. Too darn loud, shifting or just running along. Snap! Snap! Grumblegrumblegrumble.

I'd take Superbe, or change the rules and tahe SR. Never did like C-Record. I got it supplied on my team bikes and I was quite underwhelmed. Glad I didn't have to blow any $$ on it.

Based on what you said I would go with Campy. I have ridden both Campy, Sun Tour and Shimano 7400 (just sold on eBay). I switched to Campy in 87 because I was riding crits and the index shifting made a HUGE difference in those races. But, you aren't racing, you are just enjoying the ride. I would go with the Campy. Beauty, durability, heritage and damn good performance.

1. Campy
2. Suntour
3. Walk
4. Shimano :-)

Now, here is my stab at changing the questions. Don't forget the overlooked Victory group from campy. It was quite good. Also, to go a little off the beaten path, Mavic had some good stuff with the late 80's (I think it was the 801).

GG

Shimano's light action derailers shift just as good as anything else I've used FWIW. Also, older indexed shifters aren't as smooth as good friction ones. My bridgestone shifts silently and like butter with the non indexed "cheap" shimano stuff. Makes my suntour sprint feel cheap.

So my Simplex Prestige did not mke the list??

Italian=Campy only because it should be that way.

Superbe for anything else becasue it simply works the best

DA is a close third though.

Unofficial tally (ignoring OFG's middle of the road approach:D):

SunTour Superbe Pro:
4 first choice (includes 2 votes if Japanese or other non-Italian frame)
4 second choice

Shimano Dura-Ace 7400:
5 first choice
0 second choice
1 fourth choice
1 "not even in the picture"

:love:Campagnolo Nuovo Record:
7 first choice (includes 2 votes if european frame)
1 second choice


Hmmm...seems that people either love or really dislike DA, no in between...


stan
.

Dura Ace.

I've got the 7400 set up as an 8-speed and it's vastly superior to at least modern day Sora.

For functionality, it is hard to beat almost any mid-to-high-end SunTour rear derailleur.

For looks on a European bike, stay with the Campagnolo.

what about the Sachs-Huret or Mavic groups?