steve t.

Hello folks,

I like the classic look of several Velo Orange components, but quality is primary. Arguments pro/con can be made for any brand and part number bike component, but before I place an order I guess I'm just looking for final yea/nay from those of you who may have personal experience with the parts I'm considering. I don't need the best part that can be found, I want quality parts that will have a good service life and will continue to work well with proper maintenance. I've read up where I can but sometimes product posts inquire about a specific issue or problem, which is natural on a web forum. But sometimes those are "1 in 100" stories, not necessarily shedding light on what might otherwise be a generally good product that experienced a mechanical failure. Not often enough do you see an objective post for a product that is just sharing the good news. (No news is good news?)

Crank- VO Grand Cru 34/48t double Grand Cru 110 Fluted Double Crankset, 34x48t - Cranks - Cranksets - Components (Will likely go with a Shimano UN55 bottom bracket for the crank.)

Rear wheel with the hands-free disassembly touring hub- Grand Cru Diagonale Rear Wheel (Touring Hub 135mm, 650b) - 650b - Complete Wheels - Wheels, Rims, Hubs & Accessories - Components

Front wheel- Grand Cru Diagonale Front Wheel (High Flange Hub, 650b) - 650b - Complete Wheels - Wheels, Rims, Hubs & Accessories - Components

Headset- 1" threaded (yep, for a threaded fork) Grand Cru 1" Sealed Bearing Headset - Headsets - Components

Seat post, 0 setback (may not need, may use a 0 setback Thompson that I have on another bike)- Grand Cru 0 Setback Seatpost, 27.2, Silver - Seatposts - Components

Threadless stem adapter- VO Threadless Stem Adaptor - Threadless Stems - Stems - Components

The rest of the build will be mainly Shimano Ultegra, their 10-speed generation (with downtube Dura Ace shifters), and likely a Shimano V-brake system. Frame details another time, but it will be a steel frame and fork with cantilever brakes.

Any thoughts and experiences would be helpful, thanks much.

Steve.

Homebrew01

If you don't get much feedback here, try the Classic & Vintage forum. They are very familiar with VO.

RollCNY

I am fairly sure @rjones28 has a grand cru crankset, and should be able to added insight.

On bottom brackets, I have had better luck with IRD bb's than Shimano, but don't have a huge # of data points.

steve t.

Thank you.

I'll watch for replies here, but I just now re-posted over in the C/V forum as well.

Safe riding!

Steve.

Mumonkan

i like VO stuff, ive used a lot of it and put it through its paces, you will not be dissapointed

34/48 drillium rings, several styles of bars, brakes, rack, headset

i know a couple randos that have used the diagonale rims for many thousands of miles, and a shop owner that can vouch for the quality of at least the track version of their hubs

ive also used the un55 bbs on every bike i own with a square taper crank, and none of them ever developed any slop or crunch

RollCNY

If you are doing DT shifters and have not yet picked up brake levers, I highly recommend TRP RRL levers. They are phenomenally comfortable and functional, and they pair really nicely with Campy brakes if you don't like the look of the brake mounted release lever (which I personally despise).

rjones28 

I have a VO Polyvalent crankset on one of my bikes (as @RollCNY mentioned) paired with their Grand Cru bottom bracket. It's a good set up that has held up over the miles.