Bruce,
Interesting question. However, you didn't specify what "best" means to you. If it's reliability and longevity, many of the French cyclotouring stuff is hard to beat. If it is light weight, check out Hi-E and other small-scale efforts. If it's history and mystique, Campagnolo comes to mind. Performance is another possible factor, and of course, then we get into a discussion how you measure that. And then there is looks and style, which is entirely in the eye of the beholder. And what about historic significance?
My "best bike ever" probably does not look anywhere near the same as
the next person's "best bike ever."
--
Jan Heine, Seattle
Editor/Publisher
Vintage Bicycle Quarterly
http://www.mindspring.com/
>I was thinking of getting a good frame and equipping it, as far as
>possible, with the best components ever made (a bit ambitious
>maybe?), regardless of whether or not they formed a groupset. I'd be
>looking to build a 10 or 12-speed for all-round use.
>
>Is there any sort of general consensus about what was the best
>derailleur, the best brakes, best hubs, etc, within our time frame?
>My exposure to bike parts is limited mainly to pre-1970s stuff so
>any thoughts on the subject would be much-appreciated.
>
>This wouldn't be about the frame so it's not necessary to have
>Italian parts on an Italian fame or French parts on a French frame.
>I have no prejudices when it comes to marque or country of origin so
>Shimano or even Campagnolo would be acceptable. ;->
>
>Bruce
>Dundee
>Scotland
>
>
>
>--
>
>
>
>Signup to supanet at http://www.supanet.com/