1. Mirror Mirror on the wall, what is the prettiest combination of a gruppo? They might look like the devil all together. I just suggest my individual component preferences. I don't necessarily follow them because I like the continuity of component appearance together as a group. I am currently doing an 80s Italian frame with Gipiemme and will convert my ItalVega to Ofmega for fun and store away the Campagnolo group or trade it back to whichever of my other bikes I traded it from. I hate to trade sell or give away any part of a complete bike I ever had.
Clamp-on front derailleur: I love the Suntour Cyclone/Superbe II front derailleur with the stainless band. I also like the Huret Jubilee, it has a bit different look and action to it.
Braze-on front derailleur: I don't have any, so I don't have any preference.
Rear Derailleur: I just can't commit. I appreciate the revolutionary Suntour deraileurs but the looks are less than the performance. The Galli "knockoff of the NR is smoother than the Campy and came in colors. this is my toughest choice to make. I have no hands down favorite. The superlight Jubilee is a good choice, especially it unique look as well as its lightness.
Clamp-on down tube shifter I stay with Suntour for the symetric stainless band.
Bar-Con shifter: Suntour barcon for its "clicker" adjustments. I also like the down tube shifters with their clicker adjustments also, but they are somewhat clunky looking in appearance. the suntours for their function not aesthetics.
Braze-on shifter: I don't have any, so I don't care.
Cables and housing: Campagnolo wires for their braiding and non-stretcvh nature or the bare non plastic covered housings of Suntours contemporary for its early era cables that came with their barcons.
Chain: Old school Regina Oro, pretty, next maybe a Shimano UG with "gold" plates
Freewheel: Everest or Suntour Winner with "gold" cog wheels. the Suntour for the vast selection to tailor it to your needs it offerred in its time.
Bars: SR or Nitto radonneurs. Obviously I favor touring over racing. In a traditional bar I like all the engraved bars and favor the Atax Phillipe for the art. I like the TTT and Cinelli just as well and also don't turn my nose up at the GBs.
Stem I prefer the TTT with the slightly triangular shape. That is not the older model with the lettering in the long inset slot. I refer to the second model contemporary to Cinelli 1A. It is so much "lighter" in appearance with its tapering bottom to top.
Head set; I like the smoother looking and load bearing roller bearing Stronlights. I know its French, but to know me is to appreciate my quirks.
Side Pull Brakes; The Campy Delta. on its looks not its performance, unfortunately.
Center Pull Brakes I love the Gran Compe for its satiny finish and overall smooth look.
Crankset I go out on a limb with the Stronlight 93. The strong industrial look is so different from anyone else. Sure I am somewhat of a lover of French components. I have cranksets of many brand but this is my hands down favorite. It is not aero but I love it neverheless. In a more Aero look probably the Mavic "starfish."
Bits: includes various clamps and guides; Here I am a sheep. I go with Campagnolo without hesitation for their quality.
Not part of any group: Tubing:531 double butted or Columbus, I am not picky, but I do have tradition Lugs: anything well finished is good. The ornateness of Nervex for off the shelf. I certainly appreciate Hetchins but the cost is prohibitive for me. I did fall in love in the 80's during a working trip to the beach town of Santa Cruz in Northern California. I stopped in a bike shop that bontrager was then connected to and saw a dark metallic green Hetchins, my first in person view of one. I was smitten and have lusted quietly for one ever since. Someday!!!
Have I forgotten any thing? probably but feel free to list your dream parts for the various components. They might not all look right together. I just have preferences for each different part.
2. For my Raleigh Pro seat post fixing bolt I had the most trouble, not with the threading but with a bolt that was compatible both for the threaded portion and the head size. Easy to find a match for the threading but most heads were then too big. I have had my Pro apart for about 20 years and only lost that one part. I acquired mine in the same manner of the International in an article in the current Bicycling magazine. It was laying in the gutter, complete except wheels.
3. does anyone have a reasonable source for a 22mm x 1 bottoming tap? I have a 22mm chaser but need a bottoming tap to really clean up some crank arm "pulling" threads. Thank you for the help.
J. Strizek Sacratomato, California USA
P.S. anyone have any interest in a dirt cheap 19 inch Lambert/Yamaha Viscount? It is complete except for wheels. I can also include an earlier death fork. It is too small for me and I am loath to part it. You would only pay my cost. It is at the co-op I volunteer at.