yodabiri

I love the color combination and the frame was in near perfect condition when I found it on craigslist. I am running a shimano 10 spd cassette, so shifting is not as crisp as it could be, but I'm still fiddling with the adjustments.

onesojourner

Hey guys. I am going to undertake this project in January. Am I right in assuming that most Japanese/Taiwanese steel bikes need the Shimano BB-R60 ENG and a 28.6/31.8 derailleur?

Also can any one comment when the best time to buy would be? I finally have the cash set back but the prices now are higher than I have seen all summer.

Dfrost 

You might want to describe in detail what "this project" is to get answers to your questions.

And no, a BB-R60 (one of the many, confusing, external bearing bottom brackets) is not needed on a vintage bike, regardless of origin, unless that's what is compatible with the crankset you've selected.

The size of the front derailleur clamp is dictated by the diameter of the seat tube. Many C&V bikes will use a 28.6mm clamp but measure first. Front indexed shifters, especially Shimano, can be picky about which FD to use, but Campagnolo are not.

Time to buy what?

noglider 

I used that BB for my Ultegra Hollowtech II cranks, but it depends on which cranks you'll use.

onesojourner

Sorry... details:
1991 specialized sirrus seat tube 1 5/32"
I am Looking at a complete shimano 5800 groupset. Sram rival is also on the radar.

Dfrost 

The Sirrus is a steel frame with standard size tubing, right? 1-5/32" is just over 28.6mm (1-1/8"), certainly smaller than 31.8mm (1-1/4"), typical of aluminum and OS steel frames.

kingston 

Potenza is now available in silver. Could be a great looking option for that retro roadie project you are considering for this winter.

Jeff Wills

A little wacky, but I wouldn't turn it down:
https://www.bikerumor.com/2016/12/14...lished-silver/

yipyipyip

Hefty, but definitely better looking than Shimano's current offerings. I could see this looking very well on an STI-Retro Roadie (STI-RR™).

shoota 

To each their own I guess. That crank is so fugly I can't even.

kingston 

No argument here, but Shimano is still more fugly. Especially on a steel frame.

Andy_K 

I just think it's great news that Campagnolo noticed the continued need for silver. They can work the details out over time.

yodabiri

It is funny this new Potenza groupset was brought up. I recently saw a gorgeous Colnago on Ebay (way out of price range for me, but still gorgeous).

gomango

Agreed.

Lovely example.

gomango

Looks great on the new De Rosas.

I would love to see a Chorus 11 speed version.

I can't step out on SR 11 atm, but a silver Chorus groupset would drive me to the edge.....

gomango

I think it's a coin flip.

I really like the 5800 and 6800 groupsets though.

Great value.

The crankset on both is the fly in the ointment for folks.

Plenty of alternatives in the market if you look a bit.

yipyipyip

Shimano 5800/6800 is untouchable cost--performance-wise.
Also completely agree on the crankset issue. None of the other components polarize nearly as much.
Personally, I'd look towards Sugino XD for classic-looking cranks of supreme quality at very reasonable prices. Their OX series---like Potenza---blends Classic and Modern. Prices are Dura Ace-level, though.

Stronglight is another alternative. Cheaper, but not as nice as Sugino. You get what you pay for.

athrowawaynic

Hey Folks,

Is there a frame you wouldn't bother upgrading to a modern groupset?

Obviously, a bottom of the barrel old frame wouldn't deserve new parts (unless cheap).

And obviously, a top end frame could go either way (restoration or retromodernize).

But I'm looking at my 1987 Atala. It's a mid-range vintage frame (Colombus Cromor, Campy Victory, 2x6, downtube friction). It's been modded (as an experiment in kludging a gravel-ride type bike), but I could reinstall all the parts it came with. Not sure the bike (as I bought it) would fetch more than $150 on the open market--it was mostly Campy but not full Campy. Nor would the bike (as modified) fetch more than $250.

Another way to frame the question: would $600, all told, be too much to throw at that bike to make it 2x10 indexed shifting? Veloce + Scirocco 35 wheels.

What if I'm already partway there? (In other words, if I've already spent a little less than $400 on wheels and a few parts, and it will only take another $200 or so to get the Veloce shifters, front&rear mech and cassette&chain, would that $200 be worthwhile? My justification would be: 1. as is, I rarely ride it--if I upgraded to Veloce, I would probably ride it a lot more, 2. it's really just a spare for when my father-in-law is in town, 3. I might gift it to my brother who just moved to the area. For the latter two, I feel a little weird about turning over to them a frankenkludged bike--whereas, if I threw another $200 at it, it would be a vintage frame with full Campy mixed family groupset. I mean, neither of them would complain about the bike as is, but it would be more of a treat if I finishing it out properly, no?)

mstateglfr 

Go for it. There is a 100% chance you will have more money in the bike than you could sell it for, just know that and accept it if you choose to do the modernization.

You also wont ever get all the money out of a new purchase bike. It isnt reasonable to think that you would sell a new purchase bike for the same price, so I am never really sure why its expected/hoped that one would get the full cost recouped on a modernization. I think that is an odd reason to not do it.
Sure you don’t want it to be a money pit, but if you spend $400(plus the bike being already worth $250) and end up with a bike you use for the next 3 seasons, and sell it for $300, then you got 3 seasons of riding fun for $350…and that’s on the conservative side of things.

When money is a factor, then mondernizing isnt always the best idea. But if you have the available funds, then it becomes a considerably lower priority to ensure you can sell a bike for what you have in it.

This is a hobby…hobbies typically cost money in the end.

athrowawaynic

All true. I also figure I'll have the spare bike. Supposing I sold it and bought new, I'm not sure I'd have as nice a bike at the end of the day.

yodabiri

Another aspect is that you will have a very unique bike that nobody else is going to have. I am not going to say that you would be able to break even on it after you sell it, but somebody may be willing to pay good coin for a unique bike like that. That all being said, I say upgrade it, ride it, and enjoy it until you get tired of it and then sell it. That has been my policy with almost all of my bikes. You end up losing money, but as was said before, it is a hobby and hobbies cost money. If you do end up upgrading though, make sure to post some pictures in this thread!

athrowawaynic

No, of course. If the idea is to sell it, I won't be buying any new parts. I did tell my wife I was going to sell it.

But since then... her dad has taken to riding it when he visits, so I may not be selling it after all. And my brother has moved back to the area, and he's indicated interest in riding when he's visiting the house.

So it's more, if I don't sell it, I'm thinking about finishing it out--for my father-in-law, for my brother, and for me (since I'd be inclined to ride it also). In other words, I'm just wondering if it's lipstick on a pig to put new Campy parts on an old, mid-level, but ok-shape Italian frame.

arimajol

Nothing wrong with that, and it's just Veloce, so doesn't cost too much. Biggest thing for me would be if I liked how the frame rode. If it was a clunker, I wouldn't bother, but if it is fun to ride, then upgrade I away, I say.

sumgy

Just an updated pic of my Concorde and another fine old lady of mine.

sumgy

Empi 8 spokes??