Euclid?!
 

Servus!

Anyone remember the ill-fated attempt by Campagnolo to break into the MTB scene with Euclid, their off-raod gruppo?

Oh, how I lusted (still do) after that stuff. I am a roadie at my deepest core and would kill to have Campy componentry.

The questionI pose to you all is this - Who would you like to see make a component system for mountain biking?

I leave the choice up to you ...

Hi Ranger,

I used to have a dreamy Campag Centaur Chainset on my Trek with a 50 tooth chainring...I loved it to bits!!!

The problem with Campy stuff *or it used to be* is that it's just too darn heavy!!

Still it's the best looking componentry around I reckon...

Max and relax

Rich :D

Servus,

Yeah Rich, I heard that the Campy MTB stuff was akin to bolting bricks to your frame. Nonetheless, I still lust after it.

Another shame is when Mavic stopped producing their MTB stuff. Now, don't get me wrong here, I am a BIG Shimano fan for MTB (i got full XT, shifts like a dream...) and SRAM puts out really good stuff, it's just that I like to have something that is a bit more elegant and simply different.

Hey Badger, The new Record stuff is clearly lighter than Dura Ace. Carbon inserts on the derailleur....mmmmmmmm. What is YOUR opinion on MTB components?

If you want a chainset to die for, the Specialities-TA Zephyr is one to seek out. It is forged by the same guys that Campag use, and the finish is superb. It has 2 sets of threads for a granny ring (that is a choice of 2 BCDs as well as the 130mm for the 2 large rings) and comes in any size you want.

Their chainrings are also much tougher than Shimano, any BCD any size. A lot of road pro teams use them.

Quality doesnt come cheap, but Ill get a TA chainset one of these days.

I'm not too sure about the Road Equipment that Campag make, but it sure does look pretty.

I'm a little unsure as to the durability of carbon made drivechains and rear mechs, but I guess the guys at Gripshift haven't has any problems with it.

I think Ba-dg-er's right to say if it works...so be it!

With regard to your post Ranger, I do remember Mavic making a MTB shifting system..I used to lust after the Paris-Dakar wheelsets...mmmmmm, sexy.

Do you think electronic gear shifting will ever make it into MTB's mainstream?

Rich :)

Yeah...maybe only time will tell eh...

I'm still waiting on the gear system which allows you to telepathically change gears...

Wouldn't that be cool!!!!

He he...Rich :rolleyes:

I'm just the opposite of Rich on this shifting business--I love the friction shifters, downtube mounted, on my road bike and would be pleased as can be if I could have friction shift on my mountain bike. Index shifting is nothing but trouble in my experience, and if it ever comes to electronics moving me out of the equation, I think I'd almost as soon give up riding!

But then I long for the days of DOS, even....

He he Jon,

I'm no techno-weenie...there'll always be a place in my heart for Friction shifters...DOS maybe not.

Rich ;)

Wanted to report in on Mavic's attempt to wireless shifting. BAAAAAADDDDDD Idea!! My wife has the Mek-Tronic shifting on her road bike and I can't get it to work for more than about 50 miles. It starts ghost-shifting, or gets hung up and won't shift. I've tried everything to get it dialed in, but just can't get it to stay adjusted. Any ideas?

Maybe Cannondale will take some of their technology and make a battery powered shifting system like their ELO fork lockout.

Oh yeah, I'd love to see some derailleur parts made from Carbon fiber or some exotic thermo plastic material. Kinda like what SRAM did, but real carbon fiber not just the faux stuff.

Another thought, I hate cleaning my drivetrain. Maybe a company like Spinergy could use their spox material and make some type of chain out of it. Kinda like a fan belt on your car. That would definately be different. That way you wouldn't have to lube your chain all the time. I live in FL and sugar sand is a major hassel on drivetrain parts. Lube+Sand=Worn Parts

I'd also like to see Shimano or SRAM try to produce a "serious" internally geared hub like the Rohloff for mountain bikes. I know that Shimano makes the "Nexave" stuff for overpriced comfort bikes, but it would be nice to have a drive train that doesn't get hung up and torn off by a rampant stick and looks cleaner like a single-speed.

Just some ideas floating around in my head.:beer: