Modern groupset for classic frame
 

Hi I've had a Reynolds 853 OS frame make up and now have to decide what groupset to mount on it. Any suggestions?

The picture below was taken in bad light and doesn't show the beautiful colour! Its House of Kolor - Kandy Oriental Blue.

http://img704.imageshack.us/img704/715/dsc00716r.jpg

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You have vertical dropouts and what might look like a 130 spread in the rear triangle. Without any subtlety, you can install any modern road gruppo on that frame pretty much without reservation, if it's a 130 spread. Being 853, it might not be easy to cold set the frame to 130 mm; I'd consult a really good shop with a lot of cold-setting experience. The reason is that 853 is a lot different from 531 or Cyclex steels, that can be cold set. It won't be vintage, but with 853 tubing that frame is not vintage. Traditional design (horizontal top tube), yes, but not vintage.

You'll get a great bike out of it.

Very nice looking frame.

Could you tell us a little more about her when you get an opportunity?

I would go with as much performance versus cost as possible.

2009 Campy Centaur 10 speed with the harder to find alloy levers.

or

2010 Campy Athena 11 speed.

Both of these are great values. Great performance and looks as well.

+1 you can put any modern component group on it. Most of modern groups have (well) a modern look (lots of black and carbon). As fars as looks/performance goes (with a good price), on a vintage looking bike my favorites are:

Ultegra 6600 (not 2010 model), around $750ish on sale (10sp):



http://www.velokit.co.uk/productimages/ult6600gp_01.jpg

2011 Campy Athena (alloy crank), around $750ish new on sale (11sp):

http://www.tehava.com/Tehava/UserFil...2010_copia.jpg

I'm currently collecting an Ultegra + Dura Ace mix for my 74 Gazelle. The 9 speed groups look a little closer to vintage than the newer groups if you're looking for something more in line with classic parts. They're still not all that similar to older parts.... but far better than the current groups.

Thanks for your replies everyone. I should have been more descriptive in my original post. The frameset is brand new with 130mm spacing and English BB threading. I guess what I'm interested in hearing is people's opinions on what would worth aesthetically.

Ultegra 6600 and Campy Athena alloy would work well IMHO. I've got 4500 (Tiagra), 6600 and 7800 on my other bikes so I'm quite used to the Shimano system. I am very tempted to try something different however.

All the new groups are nice, but none really "go" with a classic steel frame. You'll get used to whatever you put on it, so I'd pick a modern group that 1) Performs for the money and 2) Can be repaired, especially the STI's. Shimano is now going to provide parts and support for some 10-sp STI shifters, so picking one of those supported groups may be a good decision in the long run.

With the Euro down, check out Ribbles and PBK, even for Shimano stuff. Great frame, match it up and we'll see you on the road.

There is a thread with "retro bikes with STI/Ergos..." and there are a lot of nice examples there.

For a "classic" look, IMO, the more shiny silver aluminum and the less carbon fiber, the better. I'm using Dura Ace 7700, but cobbling together an all-aluminum Campy group should also be possible.

Alloy Athena 11, White Industries hubs, box section tubular rims....

vjp

I have a DA 9 spd (or 7700?) group withour any scratches except for the Shifters I like to get rid of someday.

Yes, this sounds like a winner.

I haven't seen the alloy levers for this gruppo, although I've heard rumblings of their availability.

My wife has had very good luck with a wheelset using Record hubs/Mavic Reflex rims on her De Rosa.

This is a tubular wheelset, and she swears the Vittorias she is riding are her favorite racing tire ever.

Might be worth a look for you as well.

Personally, I am always considering budget as well. So I have used "opportunistic" modern groups on bikes. I let the deal dictate. So for instance, I picked up a mini-group of Ultegra 6501 (9 speed): brifters, both derailleurs, brake calipers, for a super low price. I then picked up a nice 8/9/10 speed wheelset at a garage sale at an even better price. So that became my group of choice. I recently picked up a couple of complete nine speed Dura Ace groups, one will probably end up on my next build.

If you have trading stock, you might find someone on the forum where you can trade some items to complete a group. I traded the wheelset from above with RobbieTunes, for a wheelset more appropriate for my added weight (compared to Robbie). IMHO, best way to share a deal is to trade value for value. No one really wants to pay full market for stuff (me neither!), but trading components of equivalent value is a great way for both parties to get a deal, without one person subsidizing the transaction.

I think the somewhat older Shimano groups look fine on a classic bike. I have Ultegra 6501 on two of my bikes. One has the Hollowtech II crankset, it doesn't look so vintage, but it is OK.

+1 The Dura Ace 7700 would look good as well.

And the tricolor Shimano 600 stuff looks great, and its eight speed, which means the brifters can be repaired.

The great thing about considering budget, is if you get the group right (attractive price), you can just install it. Ride the bike for a while. And when you get the urge to upgrade, no problem, as you should be able to get your money back out of the first group. So its almost like renting a group for a while (for free, if you buy right). Tough to beat that!!

Thanks again guys. I ended up deciding on Athena. Since its a new frame set I wanted to a new group set to put on it. Other components to go on are:

Ambrosio Excellite rims laced to Record hubs with silver DT Swiss Comp spokes - 32H F+R
Ultegra silver quill stem
Nitto classic handlebars
Nitto seat post

should be awesome

Go on Craigslist, look for a bike that has the latest equipment and a low price. You can then strip down the CL bike and put the parts on your classic bike. The only precaution is the internal parts, like the diameter of the seat post, the head set-English or Italian, the bottom bracket English or Italian. It's best to stick with ISO square tapered bottom bracket spindle, because of the diameter of the bottom bracket shell( and check the width 68mm English, 70mm Italian) Have lot of fun!


Current Stable:

1. Gios Torino Professional Columbus SL Tubing, Campagnolo Record C equipped.
2. Cinelli Super Corsa Columbus SLX Campagnolo Record Carbon equipped.
3. Orbea Onix Carbon Fiber with Shimano Ultegra and Shimano wheels.
4. Litespeed Classic Titanium, Kestrel CF Fork & Shimano Ultegra 600
5. Peugeot Mixte All French

Campy announced their new 10 speed groupsets today.

They also look like a great choice.

http://italiancyclingjournal.blogspo...psets-and.html

I can't wait to see pricing. :)

I wonder if any of their brakes will be standard (47-57mm) reach?