Nominate your favorite 'most beautiful' component
07-03-18, 07:05 PM
#1
The Huffmeister
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: The Le Grande HQ
Posts: 2,738
Bikes: '79 Trek 938, '86 Jim Merz Allez SE, '90 Miyata 1000, '68 PX-10, '80 PXN-10, '73 Super Course, '87 Guerciotti, '83 Trek 600, '80 Huffy Le Grande
Mentioned: 45 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1226 Post(s)
Liked 3,550 Times
in
1,409 Posts
Nominate your favorite 'most beautiful' component
Hey guys,
I'm working on a Fuji S10-S build right now, and my normal style of refurbishment is to pick out the absolute lightest components I can find to make for a real fast flying bike, but this latest S10-S has thrown me for a loop. It is a gorgeous bike, wearing iridescent jade paint and chrome socks both front and rear. Because the frame is, ehm, no Reynolds 853, I'm finding myself being less worried about weight. Rides fabulous.
To match the beauty of this bike, I'm searching out some of the more 'beautiful' components I can find. But because there are so many I don't know about, I need your help.
Please nominate what you consider is your favorite 'most beautiful' component. Of course, it is all in the eye of the beholder, purely subjective. But there is a good chance that due to the collective nature of this forum, many probably share your opinion. I don't care what era, what country of manufacture, cost, rarity, weight, or quality. Throw up your favorite, judged solely by your subjective view of its beauty. And let's see 'em all - cranks, pedals, brakes, levers, derailleurs, hubs, seatposts, stems, etc. Feel free to comment on your choice and its merits (or lack thereof).
I'll go first, and I'll kick things off with the Shimano 600/Arabesque headset -
Most are in this typical condition, but with the headset properly polished up, it looks absolutely stunning. I have one, and I'd like to try to find a way to adapt it to cartridge bearings, especially since mine is a little worn...but I just don't want to lose those two chainring-eque top retainer and nut. I'm thinking if there is a way to mate this to Velo Orange's threaded sealed bearing headset, I'd do it in a heartbeat.
So, what is your favorite 'most beautiful' component?
I'm working on a Fuji S10-S build right now, and my normal style of refurbishment is to pick out the absolute lightest components I can find to make for a real fast flying bike, but this latest S10-S has thrown me for a loop. It is a gorgeous bike, wearing iridescent jade paint and chrome socks both front and rear. Because the frame is, ehm, no Reynolds 853, I'm finding myself being less worried about weight. Rides fabulous.
To match the beauty of this bike, I'm searching out some of the more 'beautiful' components I can find. But because there are so many I don't know about, I need your help.
Please nominate what you consider is your favorite 'most beautiful' component. Of course, it is all in the eye of the beholder, purely subjective. But there is a good chance that due to the collective nature of this forum, many probably share your opinion. I don't care what era, what country of manufacture, cost, rarity, weight, or quality. Throw up your favorite, judged solely by your subjective view of its beauty. And let's see 'em all - cranks, pedals, brakes, levers, derailleurs, hubs, seatposts, stems, etc. Feel free to comment on your choice and its merits (or lack thereof).
I'll go first, and I'll kick things off with the Shimano 600/Arabesque headset -
Most are in this typical condition, but with the headset properly polished up, it looks absolutely stunning. I have one, and I'd like to try to find a way to adapt it to cartridge bearings, especially since mine is a little worn...but I just don't want to lose those two chainring-eque top retainer and nut. I'm thinking if there is a way to mate this to Velo Orange's threaded sealed bearing headset, I'd do it in a heartbeat.
So, what is your favorite 'most beautiful' component?
07-03-18, 08:00 PM
#2
So it goes.
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: W. Tennessee
Posts: 965
Bikes: A few. Quite a few.
Mentioned: 24 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 432 Post(s)
Liked 639 Times
in
261 Posts
Huret Jubilee long cage RD. Light, beautiful. Rest of the group is lovely as well. From Disraeli Gears:
Last edited by PilotFishBob; 07-03-18 at 08:03 PM. Reason: Attrib
07-03-18, 08:29 PM
#6
Senior Member
It’s a boat anchor, but it’s a beautiful boat anchor.
__________________
Semper fi
Semper fi
07-03-18, 08:43 PM
#7
Forum Moderator
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Kalamazoo MI
Posts: 20,650
Bikes: Fuji SL2.1 Carbon Di2 Cannondale Synapse Alloy 4 Trek Checkpoint ALR-5 Viscount Aerospace Pro Colnago Classic Rabobank Schwinn Waterford PMount Raleigh C50 Cromoly Hybrid Legnano Tipo Roma Pista
Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3090 Post(s)
Liked 6,595 Times
in
3,781 Posts
07-03-18, 08:55 PM
#9
The Huffmeister
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: The Le Grande HQ
Posts: 2,738
Bikes: '79 Trek 938, '86 Jim Merz Allez SE, '90 Miyata 1000, '68 PX-10, '80 PXN-10, '73 Super Course, '87 Guerciotti, '83 Trek 600, '80 Huffy Le Grande
Mentioned: 45 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1226 Post(s)
Liked 3,550 Times
in
1,409 Posts
What bikes originally came with the Jubilee?
07-03-18, 09:40 PM
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,041
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 267 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4511 Post(s)
Liked 6,378 Times
in
3,667 Posts
07-03-18, 09:46 PM
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: PDX
Posts: 13,041
Bikes: Merz x 5 + Specialized Merz Allez x 2, Strawberry/Newlands/DiNucci/Ti x3, Gordon, Fuso/Moulton x2, Bornstein, Paisley,1958-74 Paramounts x3, 3rensho, 74 Moto TC, 73-78 Raleigh Pro's x5, Marinoni x2, 1960 Cinelli SC, 1980 Bianchi SC, PX-10 X 2
Mentioned: 267 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4511 Post(s)
Liked 6,378 Times
in
3,667 Posts
07-03-18, 09:56 PM
#13
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 3,332
Bikes: '72 Motobecane Grand Record, '72 Gitane tandem, '72 Raleigh Super Course, '73 Raleigh Gran Sport, '73 Colnago Super, '76 Fiorelli Coppi, '78 Raleigh SBDU Team Pro, '78 Trek 930, '81 Holdsworth Special 650B, '86 Masi GC, ’94 Bridgestone RB-T
Mentioned: 67 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 786 Post(s)
Liked 520 Times
in
281 Posts
__________________
The man who dies with the most toys…is dead. - Rootboy
The man who dies with the most toys…is dead. - Rootboy
07-03-18, 10:01 PM
#14
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,328
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3898 Post(s)
Liked 4,833 Times
in
2,229 Posts
There are those who believe True Beauty comes only thru Collective Beauty and Originality.
Needs the Right Original Frameset to pull it off.
Here's one that got away.
Now belongs to a friend + BF member.
Needs the Right Original Frameset to pull it off.
Here's one that got away.
Now belongs to a friend + BF member.
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Last edited by Wildwood; 07-03-18 at 10:04 PM.
07-03-18, 10:03 PM
#15
Bike Butcher of Portland
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 11,639
Bikes: It's complicated.
Mentioned: 1299 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4682 Post(s)
Liked 5,799 Times
in
2,284 Posts
+1, althought I think the short cages are prettier.
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
07-03-18, 10:34 PM
#16
Veteran, Pacifist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Seattle area
Posts: 13,328
Bikes: Bikes??? Thought this was social media?!?
Mentioned: 284 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3898 Post(s)
Liked 4,833 Times
in
2,229 Posts
Most stylistic RD
__________________
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
07-03-18, 11:36 PM
#17
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Hervey Bay, Qld, Australia.
Posts: 2,928
Bikes: Colnago (82, 85, 89, 90, 91, 96, 03), 85 Cinelli, 90 Rossin, 83 Alan, 82 Bianchi, 78 Fountain, 2 x Pinarello, Malvern Star (37), Hillman (70's), 80's Beretto Lo-Pro Track, 80's Kenevans Lo-Pro, Columbus Max (95), DeGrandi (80's) Track.
Mentioned: 12 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 179 Post(s)
Liked 198 Times
in
124 Posts
There's just 'something' about that little piece of blue plastic!
07-04-18, 12:34 AM
#19
Señor Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Hardy, VA
Posts: 17,923
Bikes: Mostly English - predominantly Raleighs
Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1491 Post(s)
Liked 1,090 Times
in
638 Posts
My offering. Very functionally designed, imo.
__________________
In search of what to search for.
In search of what to search for.
07-04-18, 12:52 AM
#20
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 2,701
Mentioned: 52 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1136 Post(s)
Liked 650 Times
in
336 Posts
Paul Powerglide RD. Peak CNC style.
Curtis Odom hubs. One man operation.
Nitto Crystal Fellow seatpost and variations
Curtis Odom hubs. One man operation.
Nitto Crystal Fellow seatpost and variations
07-04-18, 12:57 AM
#21
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 96
Bikes: 1973 Raleigh Competition, 2010 Rivendell A. Homer Hilsen, 2010's Bike Friday Pocket Companion
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 19 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Cheers!
07-04-18, 01:16 AM
#22
Steel is real
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Posts: 1,105
Bikes: 40 - accumulated over 40 years
Mentioned: 47 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 375 Post(s)
Liked 1,081 Times
in
303 Posts
C-Record high flange hubs
And this part of the C-Record rear derraileur. It is organic, it is futuristic, it has some form of "alien-ish" air about it
And this part of the C-Record rear derraileur. It is organic, it is futuristic, it has some form of "alien-ish" air about it
07-04-18, 07:18 AM
#23
Extraordinary Magnitude
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waukesha WI
Posts: 13,646
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
Mentioned: 84 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2608 Post(s)
Liked 1,700 Times
in
936 Posts
That was my first thought
"Like jewelry."
Nice to see you posting again, Paul!
"Like jewelry."
Nice to see you posting again, Paul!
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
07-04-18, 07:40 AM
#24
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Richmond VA area
Posts: 2,618
Bikes: '00 Koga Miyata Full Pro Oval Road bike.
Mentioned: 17 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 475 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 8 Times
in
7 Posts
Pretty much anything 70's era Record or Super Record Campy makes a list like this, imo.
07-04-18, 07:48 AM
#25
Extraordinary Magnitude
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Waukesha WI
Posts: 13,646
Bikes: 1978 Trek TX700; 1978/79 Trek 736; 1984 Specialized Stumpjumper Sport; 1984 Schwinn Voyageur SP; 1985 Trek 620; 1985 Trek 720; 1986 Trek 400 Elance; 1987 Schwinn High Sierra; 1990 Miyata 1000LT
Mentioned: 84 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2608 Post(s)
Liked 1,700 Times
in
936 Posts
So, for a few of mine- besides the Superbe Pro...
The Dura Ace 7803 rear derailleur:
IMG_1715 by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
Suntour XC Pro canti brakes:
Superbe Pro Brakes by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
Suntour Superbe Pro hidden spring brakes:
Superbe Pro Brakes by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
Phil Wood high flange "Rivvy" hubs:
IMG_0079 by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
The Avocet/Ofmega triple crankset with drilled rings:
1986 Trek 400 Elance by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
The Dura Ace 7803 rear derailleur:
IMG_1715 by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
Suntour XC Pro canti brakes:
Superbe Pro Brakes by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
Suntour Superbe Pro hidden spring brakes:
Superbe Pro Brakes by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
Phil Wood high flange "Rivvy" hubs:
IMG_0079 by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
The Avocet/Ofmega triple crankset with drilled rings:
1986 Trek 400 Elance by Dave The Golden Boy, on Flickr
__________________
*Recipient of the 2006 Time Magazine "Person Of The Year" Award*
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.
Commence to jigglin’ huh?!?!
"But hey, always love to hear from opinionated amateurs." -says some guy to Mr. Marshall.