While I'm a retro-rider at heart, I'm also a geek, and I appreciate some level of modernity when it comes to my ride. So, I've been pondering what a retro-modern bike build would look like. My guidelines are simple: The component should retain some "classic" level of look or design -- say, from 25 feet away you might need to take a second look to tell if the bike is from 1968 or 2008 -- but needs to be readily available from a variety of retail sources. Here's my whack at a middle of the road build following these guidelines:

• Headset: Tange Levin Alloy - $40 @ https://store.somafab.com/taletrhe.html
• Handlebar: Nitto "Noodle" Bar - $50 @ https://www.rivbike.com/products/list...product=16-111
• Stem: Nitto Technomic Deluxe - $48 @ https://www.rivbike.com/products/list...product=16-044
• Saddle: Brooks B17 - $93 @ https://www.velo-orange.com/b17.html
• Seatpost: Nitto Crystal Fellow - $65 @ https://www.rivbike.com/products/list...product=11-031
• Brake Levers: Tektro Aero - $25 @ https://www.velo-orange.com/tebrler2r1.html
• Shifters: Dia Compe "Silver" - $38 @ https://www.velo-orange.com/diacosish.html
• Front Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra - $47 @ https://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?p...jor=1&minor=33
• Rear Derailleur: Shimano Ultegra - $77 @ https://www.excelsports.com/new.asp?p...jor=1&minor=14
• Brake Calipers: Tektro "Big Mouth" - $55 @ https://www.velo-orange.com/te52br.html
• Crankset: Sugino RD3000T - $120 @ https://store.somafab.com/surdrocr.html
• Bottom Bracket: IRD/Tange - $28 @ https://store.somafab.com/irdqubobr.html
• Pedals: MKS Road - $55 with clips and straps @ https://www.velo-orange.com/mksroadpedals.html
• Cassette: Shimano Tiagra 9s - $34 @ https://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...+Cassette.aspx
• Chain: Shimano HG-73 9s - $23 @ https://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...9Sp+Chain.aspx
• Hubset: Shimano 105 5600 - $110 @ https://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...s.aspx?sc=FRGL
• Rims: Sun CR18 Polished - $72/pr @ https://www.velo-orange.com/suncrporim.html
• Tires/Tubes: Riv Roll-y Pol-y - $90/pr @ https://www.rivbike.com/products/list...product=10-034

I think the only areas where this component selection obviously "misses" visually is with the aero brake levers, the rear derailleur, and possibly the crankset. What do you think?

Pete

The aero brake levers, fer sure. The cranks are okay. The derailleurs can't be helped if you are looking at new only. $1080 buys a lot of real vintage bike though, and you haven't even accounted for your frameset...

Aero levers were around 84 or so. So you'll be doing post 84 if you get aeros. But it makes things look a little cleaner.

I just installed Cane Creek aeros on mine (just today!) and they are quite small compared to brifters. I seem to have gotten used to brifters. My favorite aero levers are the Shimano AX.

2005 Campagnolo Centaur groupset, think that was the last year for non ultra-torque cranks, non skeleton brakes, and one you could get an all-alloy set. Throw in some NOS Campagnolo Daytona hubs, laced to Open Pros (or the rims mentioned in the original list).

I like most of your choices, although I'd try to stay all-one-brand-ish looking in the drivetrain and brakes, and I prefer Campy, so Cuda's suggestion is good. That might be a tough to source as a new gruppo, tho.

I think you could find a mix of recent silver Veloce and Centaur that still has a classic look.

I just bought a near-full Veloce 2008 gruppo for cheap at PBK.
Icycles had Centaur calipers for a steal, and also has a Record square-taper crank.
https://store.icyclesusa.com/shared/S...asp?RowID=1315

And for-sure lose the Triple.
Go compact chainrings or 26 cog in the rear if you need the low gearing.

Why not go truly retro? You can find a good Japanese cromoly bikes from the 1980s with midrange Suntour or similar components for less than just a couple of parts on this list. I bought a sweet 84 Lotus, Tange 1 frame, Suntour ARX components, etc. Add aerolevers if you want, and you will have a nice ride.

I actually had that build on one of my Waterfords. It was a 2003 Daytona 10sp with blue Mavic OP rims. All alloy and beautiful to boot. It looks just as nice on a vintage bike as a modern. Who needs carbon?

I am all for anyone doing anything they want and have considered the idea of a retro-bike build myself. The idea always boils down to the questions of Why? What is the point? What doe's it achieve?
I personally cannot answer any of those questions in a way that works. Why not just spend a quarter to half the money on a nice steel bike from the 80's? That was the answer to my retro-bike need. A real 1985 bike! I ended up finding a Panasonic team europe II on craigslist. Full Campagnolo Victory components ,tubular tires & Columbus SL frame. What a nice bike! The Victory crankset was designed as a compact & can run 36 tooth rings. Campy had a compact when compact was not cool. What more can i ask for?

Why would you spend a $$$$ to make a new bike look somewhat like an old bike? It just doesn't work for me.

I like the way Cuda is thinking! All-alloy Campy 10 speed!

Now just ditch those Open Pros for some NOS GP-4 rims, and you have something really good!

The OP was looking for a modern group to put on a vintage frame. Why, because modern groups, IMO, do perform better than our beloved vintage groups. Problem is CF and flat black powdercoating lack the elegance of a vintage Campagnolo groupsets.

I believe he wanted to get an older frame and put a vintage looking modern group on it. That's the opposite of what you said. And it isn't all that expensive to do either. I've done it on both of my Waterfords. They have classic lugged steel frames with all alloy Campy groupsets. The best of both worlds.

But there is no such thing as a vintage looking modern group. The only part of his retro package that hints back to old style is the down tube shifters.

If you plan to use downtube shifters why not choose say an Ultegra shifter that retains the index shifting? It's like mixing Law & Grace. 99% of Christians do it but makes little sense Biblically.

You can put together a pretty good set for about 2/3 of that if you just pick and choose.

Just look at this price for almost brand new complete group, 8-sp STI/600 Ultegra:
https://cgi.ebay.com/Shimano-600-8-sp...3A1%7C294%3A50

If I didn't have all that except for the STI's, I'd jump on it, but I'm thinking of just buying NOS DT shifters and staying good quality classic.

I could build 5 bikes on that budget that would kick that builds aZZZZZ.

Vintage campagnolo!

Are you talking about the Ultegra group Robbie Tunes posted from ebay?

I think he means the $1080 budget on the original list. The BIN on that Shimano 600 tri-color is fair, and I'll be surprised if it lasts much longer.