tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post3675508192846255953..comments2024-03-28T11:56:48.304-04:00Comments on The Retrogrouch: Component Style: Old and NewBrookshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12110998345857993287noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-11607261036229597962014-05-08T07:07:18.898-04:002014-05-08T07:07:18.898-04:00I have not noticed that to be a problem, myself. T...I have not noticed that to be a problem, myself. There is a little nylon "washer" just below the D-ring screw, and those can crack. I would imagine if that is cracked, one would need to tighten them. Replacements for the nylon piece are available. If someone is having problems with them loosening (and the nylon piece is intact) they might want to try a dab of loctite on the threads -- or beeswax.Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12110998345857993287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-50464573067129211142014-05-07T22:56:08.390-04:002014-05-07T22:56:08.390-04:00I keep hearing stories of the Silvers needing regu...I keep hearing stories of the Silvers needing regular tightening, sometimes with frustratingly regular frequency. What's your experience with them?N/Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14710395292374599493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-4720327960791397452014-05-07T17:00:57.144-04:002014-05-07T17:00:57.144-04:00I remember them -- painted in soft white and grey ...I remember them -- painted in soft white and grey -- very "smooth" looking. Functionally they were supposed to work pretty similarly to 600 (Ultegra) or 105, but they were going for a kind of "fashion" look. As I remember, it didn't last long. The real "do you remember" group would be SunTour's "Olé" group. It was painted and styled to compete with Santé, but died pretty quietly.Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12110998345857993287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-71681429818451716312014-05-07T16:51:12.082-04:002014-05-07T16:51:12.082-04:00about the bar ends, I have used the "Silver&q...about the bar ends, I have used the "Silver" brand ones with the micro ratchet mechanism, and I do like them. The Dia Compe ones are styled a little differently, but mechanically should be the same, as far as I know.Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12110998345857993287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-82675708645820384972014-05-07T15:49:52.235-04:002014-05-07T15:49:52.235-04:00Anybody remember Shimano's Sante group? It wa...Anybody remember Shimano's Sante group? It was interesting IMHO.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05920149615446131573noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-84502329342564458802014-05-06T20:50:42.028-04:002014-05-06T20:50:42.028-04:00A few years back, I caved and bought a "moder...A few years back, I caved and bought a "modern" Shimano 10-speed system with a compact crank for my mid-80's Bianchi so I could see what all the fuss was about . All Tiagra-level (first year the Tiagra level was 10 speed). While not brag-worthy, I deemed it expensive enough for my needs. While I have no specific gripes about the quality vs. price ratio, I did discover that I was totally unimpressed with it all when compared to the Sakae/Suntour components it was already sporting, particularly the "brifters". I did switch it to a Tiagra triple very soon after, and was much happier with how that worked out for me. <br />Cosmetically, I didn't mind the derailers, but they certainly lacked the class/bling that the neat older stuff had. The crank was "modern" but not obnoxious. I don't want any more of them, but I guess I don't mind it on my go-fast bike. If there's an advantage to the external crank bearing system, it's the ease of use and maintenance. <br /><br />I really like the older cranks that are reminiscent of a four-leaf clover, they look so nice on the thinner tubes of classic steel bikes. The old Dura Ace have that look. Velo Orange's new stuff has it, too, but they are a way too spendy IMO.<br /><br />For a really top-notch Fuji Touring Series that I've just gotten, I'm looking at a new Sugino XD crank. Modern, but nicely styled. It's either that, or see what turns up on Ebay that's interesting. Probably run Suntour ARX derailers on it, to start with. They shift great, and I already have a set in really great condition.<br /><br />For shifting, I favor the bar-ends for simple ergonomic reasons. I don't have a beef with stem shifters either, though I know that's horribly gauche. My current favorite out of my brifters/bar ends/ stem shifts/ clicky- mtn bike trigger shifters is my Ultegra 8-speed bar ends that I run in Friction mode on a 6 speed wheel.<br /><br />Has anybody used the Dia Compe/Gran Compe bar end shifters? I like the classic styling of them.<br /><br /><br />Also: I'm firmly in the "Sram is tacky" camp. They may work just fine, but man is it ugly stuff. <br /><br />Wolf.<br /><br /><br /><br />N/Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14710395292374599493noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-63568302239917244162014-05-06T12:46:17.138-04:002014-05-06T12:46:17.138-04:00Good deal -- I'm a big fan of the bar ends, my...Good deal -- I'm a big fan of the bar ends, myself. 8 speed versions can still be found, NOS or lightly used. The silver friction levers are nice (I assume you mean the silver brand -- micro ratchet levers). I have a pair and like them. The little nylon washer on the outside of them tends to crack but replacements are available.Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12110998345857993287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-39717272299694881722014-05-06T12:42:33.375-04:002014-05-06T12:42:33.375-04:00I almost included an example of one of those steel...I almost included an example of one of those steel cranks -- talk about delicate-looking. Thanks for mentioning them, and including the link. And I totally agree about how odd the classic parts would look on a modern frame, and vice versa. That's kind of what I was trying to say -- how the swollen, bloated parts complement the oversized proportions of today's carbon bikes. Thanks for the comments.Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12110998345857993287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-58358067054210580992014-05-06T11:29:05.052-04:002014-05-06T11:29:05.052-04:00I just scored a 7410 crankset for $65! It will com...I just scored a 7410 crankset for $65! It will complement the 7400 series drivetrain on the classic-looking Rambouillet, my sole multispeed road bike. I am debating whether to continue the system by purchasing matching 8 speed shifters (currently I have 7 speed shifters) or simply use a nice, silver friction set.Bertin753https://www.blogger.com/profile/02860648732848589740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-67313778331456819342014-05-06T11:22:34.817-04:002014-05-06T11:22:34.817-04:00Even more beautiful for their elegant, Audrey Hepb...Even more beautiful for their elegant, Audrey Hepburn-esque lines and perfect finish were the best of the old steel cottered cranks:<br /><br />https://www.flickr.com/photos/speedplaypedals/5492522365/in/photostream/<br /><br />... at least until they rusted. The Duprat even had hollow arms and, IIRC, was, at least for the arms alone, as light as many modern cranks.<br /><br />These would look odd on a modern mold-formed carbon fiber frame, just as the Sram Red would look odd on a normal-diameter-tubed classic road bike -- rather as short-back-and-sides looks odd with flowing medieval robes or plains Indian fringed tunics.Bertin753https://www.blogger.com/profile/02860648732848589740noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-13278141018423718162014-05-06T10:59:04.617-04:002014-05-06T10:59:04.617-04:00Nice post brooks. I agree the new components are u...Nice post brooks. I agree the new components are ugly. Soul-less almost I think. Like the current automotive design themes. Here's a pic of my older <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0rBPUHowlUA/TbgZBKgvkVI/AAAAAAAAA6o/QxPpWa0wmlE/s400/IMG_2419.JPG" rel="nofollow">Ultegra crankset</a> on my road bike. I'll most likely keep turning this one till the end.recumbent conspiracy theoristhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06534820082655384780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-24728647431106484922014-05-06T07:07:19.835-04:002014-05-06T07:07:19.835-04:00I'm less offended by Campy's modern groups...I'm less offended by Campy's modern groups, apart from the electronic versions that I think are pretty ugly. I like that the Athena is still available in a silver alloy finish.Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12110998345857993287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-76503044336714596032014-05-06T06:49:37.784-04:002014-05-06T06:49:37.784-04:00New Campi groups look pretty sleek though. And the...New Campi groups look pretty sleek though. And the cheaper, the better looking.Ourizohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03855595661995552023noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-53510476869465316332014-05-05T19:32:38.659-04:002014-05-05T19:32:38.659-04:00I like what you said about the "magic" o...I like what you said about the "magic" of being able to see how things work. Nicely put.Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12110998345857993287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-88666756288156241882014-05-05T19:31:06.896-04:002014-05-05T19:31:06.896-04:00That's a good one, too. I prefer the slightly ...That's a good one, too. I prefer the slightly more "creased" edges on the previous generation -- but the 7410 is still nice, and as you point out, one can still get replacement rings for it.Brookshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12110998345857993287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-10955156186214304452014-05-05T16:41:15.564-04:002014-05-05T16:41:15.564-04:00Brooks-
Once again you have clearly explained the...Brooks-<br /><br />Once again you have clearly explained the problem issues with modern bike design. Essentially a 19th century invention, the classic bicycle has that steam punk visual ethos you described with the Jubilee. All the forces involved are mechanical and can be clearly seen and traced within the functionality of the frame and the components. For example,pull a brake lever and watch the forces transmitted into the housing and then the caliper arms. Can't do that with a hydraulic disc brake, the "magic" is concealed. <br /><br />Modern bike design is, at its core, baroque in style, graphics and function. Its over elaboration of features (11 speeds?!) and labels makes the equipment goiterous in appearance and remember, goiter is a disease.bicyclebits01https://www.blogger.com/profile/17405093830772419925noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8492685525705691186.post-70429362248895409112014-05-05T16:41:00.412-04:002014-05-05T16:41:00.412-04:00My fave crankset is the mid 90's Dura-Ace 7410...My fave crankset is the mid 90's Dura-Ace 7410 low profile cranks (http://www.bikepro.com/products/cranks/shim-roadcranks.shtml). They were modern, well designed, and elegant. I still have a pair on my road bike. Though not Shimano replacements, I can still get a wide variety of chainrings at a reasonable price for them. GSorooshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07435807896023671557noreply@blogger.com