Re: [CR]What is the worst bike component ever made?

(Example: Framebuilding:Restoration)

From: <Wdgadd@aol.com>
Date: Sun, 25 Mar 2001 22:15:37 EST
Subject: Re: [CR]What is the worst bike component ever made?
To: d.kennard@home.com, moos@penn.com
Cc: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org


Boy, looks like I stepped in it this time! I ordered a Supercronos changer set and brakes as part of a Zeus group that consisted of otherwise 2000 components in 1984. I'd never seen the Supercronos stuff, but bought it based upon what I had seen of the older Criterium 69 and 2000 pieces. When it arrived, I was very disappointed with the level of finish on the rear changer (cage plates in particular had very crudely hacked in edge chamfers) and with the crude, carved out of rectangular section arms and marginally plated cage. The brakes showed a similar indifference in finish. I dont feel that there is any comparison between these parts and Campagnolo (or earlier Zeus).Being young and foolish, I accepted them and figured I'd use them anyway, but the derailleurs never seemed to work well (stop screws were odd lengths- had to screw one WAY in and the other WAY out- the front I could never get to shift consistently) and the return spring in the calipers could barely overcome the friction in a well lubed cable. Nor were the brake pads wonderful. I ended up using NR changers and brakes, and the Zeus parts sat in a drawer until I gave them away recently. The 2000 components I did use, and I still have and use the hubs and seatpin. I have to believe that Zeus was coming apart at the seams at that time. Maybe my experience isn't typical, but especially in light of the price, I feel the quality of the Supercronos components was bad at best.

Best Regards,
Wes Gadd