Re: [CR]Re: Best (most beautiful) components

(Example: Framebuilders:Masi)

From: <NortonMarg@aol.com>
Date: Tue, 25 Nov 2003 23:29:51 EST
Subject: Re: [CR]Re: Best (most beautiful) components
To: BobHoveyGa@aol.com, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org


In a message dated 11/25/03 11:57:44 AM Pacific Standard Time, BobHoveyGa@aol.com writes:
> Thanks to all who contributed on and off list with their suggestions for
> the
> best bike parts ever. I've drawn up a parts specification based on the
> comments I've received.
>
>
> Bars: SR Road Champion
>
> Stem: SR Royal

Ok, I can't sit still any longer:

Bar and stem TTT Record 84 stem and the equivalent bar. 7000 series heat treated aluminum. Stronger AND lighter than just about anything else. The SRs aren't even close.
>
> Seatpost: SR Royal

You're kidding?! Campagnolo Record 2 bolt or 1 bolt are both superior and better looking.
>
> Wheels: Suntour Superbe Pro hubs/ Mavic SSC rims

Shimano Dura Ace cassette hubs with the older pattern twist tooth (uniglide?) cogs. Bulletproof without excessive dish for the rear wheel. Campagnolo old Record low flange front hubs are the height of low flange elegance. A lot of Mavic rims from the SSC period had joints that you wouldn't want on a road bike. Spence Wolf's favorite rim for a long time was the rather pedestrian Super Champion. The best rims I ever had were Nisi Laser 28s.
>
> Gears: Suntour Cyclone derailleurs/Simplex retrofriction shifters

I'm a Campy guy, but go ahead.
>
> Cranks: Dura Ace

I'm still a Campy guy. The late series SR without the milled groove on the arm don't crack at the spider like the earlier ones.
>
> Pedals: Suntour Superbe Pro

I've seen more broken Suntour pedals than Campy. The ultimate reliable pedal is the steel cage Campy.
>
> Saddle: Brooks Team Pro

Sella Italia Turbo. If the brooks works for you, fine. They don't fit everyone and they're heavy. If you fit a Turbo, they're wonderful. If you don't fit a Turbo, you probably fit a Concor. A saddle is like a shoe, for your derriere, if it doesn't fit, it's awful.
>
> Brakes: Shimano 105

Campagnolo Monoplanar Chorus brakes with Modolo sinterized pads are the bomb!
>
>
> I doubt that this is the definitive list. Any other suggestions? >>
>
>
> Well, allow me to propose an alternate set of hubs... cannot speak for their
>
> functionality or durability, but for sheer beauty I don't believe I've ever
> seen anything to compare to the C-Record high flange "Sheriff's Star"
> hubs...
> perhaps the nicest-looking component Campy ever produced.
>
> Indeed beautiful hubs. Plagued with flange cracking? There have been persistent stories about this, but I've never owned a set.
Stevan Thomas
Alameda, CA