Most Underrated C&V Component/Part
10-04-13 | 11:51 AM
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,982
Likes: 8
From: Alpharetta, GA
Bikes: LESS than I did a year ago!
Most Underrated C&V Component/Part
OK...so I read the thread about most Overrated...how about the most underrated C&V Component? Or have I simply missed that thread? C'mon, let's hear it...what is the one component that you quietly try to buy for nothing?
10-04-13 | 12:01 PM
#2
Banned.
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 12,292
Likes: 4,863
From: PAZ
Nuovo Record rear derailleurs 
DD
DD
10-04-13 | 12:05 PM
#3
dia-compe centerpulls.
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1 Super Record bike, 1 Nuovo Record bike, 1 Pista, 1 Road, 1 Cyclocross/Allrounder, 1 MTB, 1 Touring, 1 Fixed gear
1 Super Record bike, 1 Nuovo Record bike, 1 Pista, 1 Road, 1 Cyclocross/Allrounder, 1 MTB, 1 Touring, 1 Fixed gear
10-04-13 | 12:05 PM
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 187
Likes: 2
From: Ottawa. Canada
Bikes: Colnago • Bianchi • De Rosa
Seat Binding Bolt!
Broke mine the other day rendering the bike unrideable. Me: "... not too tight, not toooooo tight" SNAP. I found out its hard to get them at a LBSs.
Broke mine the other day rendering the bike unrideable. Me: "... not too tight, not toooooo tight" SNAP. I found out its hard to get them at a LBSs.
10-04-13 | 12:54 PM
#5
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
From: DC
Bikes: 1993 Bridgestone RB-1, 1995 Ted Wojcik Hardtail, 2012 Motobecane Le Champ Ti, 1999 Eddy Merckx Corsa 01, 1992 Colnago Master Light, 1986 Bertoni (disguised as a Swiss Military Bike) for city/gravel riding.
I broke about a half dozen Campy binder bolts before I switched to Sugino -- never broke another one.
10-04-13 | 12:57 PM
#6
Sturmey Archer Hub
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,681
Likes: 1,990
From: New England
Bikes: Old Schwinns and old Raleighs
Sturmey Archer AW 3 speed hub. Too many people write them off as impractical (gearing too high) or outdated (not enough speeds). With some tinkering and the proper rear cog, they're still relevant, solid parts not quite 80 years after their introduction.
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Classic American and British Roadsters, Utility Bikes, and Sporting Bikes (1935-1979): HERE
Classic American and British Roadsters, Utility Bikes, and Sporting Bikes (1935-1979): HERE
10-04-13 | 01:05 PM
#8
Fat Guy on a Little Bike
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 15,946
Likes: 371
From: Philadelphia, PA
Bikes: Two wheeled ones
Deore DX - stuff is flawless.
Campagnolo Ergos - LOVE.
Brooks saddles - everyone loves them, and they're STILL underrated.
Eclipse racks - great retention system, simple and smart. Just wish there were bags for them still made.
Campagnolo Delta brakes - they're great - really - just a little tougher to setup and heavy.
Michelin yellow tire levers...just so much easier to use. Unfortunately hard to find and pricey...I paid 20/set last time I bought them.
Campagnolo Ergos - LOVE.
Brooks saddles - everyone loves them, and they're STILL underrated.
Eclipse racks - great retention system, simple and smart. Just wish there were bags for them still made.
Campagnolo Delta brakes - they're great - really - just a little tougher to setup and heavy.
Michelin yellow tire levers...just so much easier to use. Unfortunately hard to find and pricey...I paid 20/set last time I bought them.
10-04-13 | 01:26 PM
#9
Machine Age Victim
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 195
Likes: 215
Bikes: Many, yet not enough
10-04-13 | 01:32 PM
#10
CL Addict
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,096
Likes: 152
From: Evanston, IL
Bikes: '50s Leon Cattrysse - late 50s Raleigh Lenton Sports - '72 Canadian Tire Company Supercycle - '74 Raleigh International - '84 Centurion Turbo - '86 v. Herwerden (Chesini) - '87 Specialized Sirrus
But how often do you read that they perform well?
I'm with Aaron though.
I'm with Aaron though.
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10-04-13 | 02:49 PM
#13
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,134
Likes: 192
From: Somerville, MA and Catskill Mtns
TA 5-pin cranks and the seemingly infinite chainring possibilities.
Shimano BR-MC70 high profile canti brakes, rock solid, no flex, look great.
Simplex retrofriction shifters.
Yes, you can occasionally find these things for dirt cheap.
Shimano BR-MC70 high profile canti brakes, rock solid, no flex, look great.
Simplex retrofriction shifters.
Yes, you can occasionally find these things for dirt cheap.
10-04-13 | 03:36 PM
#16
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,390
Likes: 207
From: Williamsburg, VA Sebastian, FL
Bikes: 1987 Centurion Ironman Master, 1992 Koga Miyata Exerciser, 1992 Schwinn Crosscut
Make me an offer!
10-04-13 | 03:47 PM
#17
Phyllo-buster
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,271
Likes: 2,696
From: Nova Scotia
Bikes: roadsters, club bikes, fixed and classic
10-04-13 | 03:50 PM
#18
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,128
Likes: 39
Bikes: 1986 Alan Record Carbonio, 1985 Vitus Plus Carbone 7, 1984 Peugeot PSV, 1972 Line Seeker, 1986(est.) Medici Aerodynamic (Project), 1985(est.) Peugeot PY10FC
Blackburn "race" water bottle cage.
Been using them since the 80's. Nicely made, simple, light and strong.
So good that they never had to do any changes to the design since the 80's and was copied by hundreds of other makers. You can buy a brand new one today and put it on a 30 year old C&V bike and it will look period correct.
I'll take it any day over those "Ciussi" cages with the fancy buttons on them....
Been using them since the 80's. Nicely made, simple, light and strong.
So good that they never had to do any changes to the design since the 80's and was copied by hundreds of other makers. You can buy a brand new one today and put it on a 30 year old C&V bike and it will look period correct.
I'll take it any day over those "Ciussi" cages with the fancy buttons on them....
10-04-13 | 03:54 PM
#19
Thrifty Bill
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,643
Likes: 1,107
From: Mans of NC & SW UT Desert
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
The stuff most of us remove:
Dork disks
Stem shifters
Kickstands
Wheel reflectors
To the average recreational rider, all of these provide benefits.
Dork disks
Stem shifters
Kickstands
Wheel reflectors
To the average recreational rider, all of these provide benefits.
Last edited by wrk101; 10-04-13 at 04:00 PM.
10-04-13 | 04:03 PM
#21
Fat Guy on a Little Bike
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 15,946
Likes: 371
From: Philadelphia, PA
Bikes: Two wheeled ones
Is that a Klingon weapon?
10-04-13 | 04:13 PM
#22
Trek 500 Kid
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2,563
Likes: 399
From: Spokane WA
Bikes: '83 Trek 970 road --- '86 Trek 500 road
When the seller doesn't know what they are you can. I just missed a pair for 50 something bucks the other day when I was at work as the bidding ended.
The seller wasn't sure what brand they were so they weren't listed in a search for "Simplex".----------------------
And yeah, I've still got a Nuovo Record RD in a box for about 30 years now.......Just in case I need it for some late '70s period correct build someday if I come accross something appropriate. But I'm really spoiled on better performing derailleurs.
10-04-13 | 06:22 PM
#25
Fat Guy on a Little Bike
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 15,946
Likes: 371
From: Philadelphia, PA
Bikes: Two wheeled ones
I really liked the Motobecane Grand Record I had - it was much nicer than any Raleigh, Gitane or Peugeot I've seen.