fleslider 

Agreed didnt want to use "600 Ultegra" to keep clarity on the 600 to 600 Ultegra change. I usually refer to it as Tricolor .. heck i usually call it 6400.

T-Mar

In 1985 Shimano's New Dura-Ace had been a huge hit with the "yuppie/dink" crowd, but the competition oriented high end still remained loyal to Campagnolo. Shimano looked to cash in on their success by targeting a 2nd tier group specifically at the "yuppie" market but adding a "fashion statement" element that was so popular with that crowd. After all, the market was currently in a trend of "Miami Vice" influenced paint liveries. Santé's white and "hi-tech grey" finish was neutral, yet set it apart from the competition (until the copycats arrived), with the white implying a superior purity.

I remember Jim Redcay analyzing Santé soon after it was upgraded to full group status. The article appeared the bookend "Trends" column of Bicycling magazine in early 1988. It was facetiously titled "Do You Have That Crank in Lavendar?" or something along that line. He must have forgotten that Shogun had already introduced a Celeste model using the Santé mini-group and Sugino 75 components, with the crankarms colour-matched to the frame in Shogun's version of celeste.

genejockey 

Gorgeous!!! A bike so pretty you'd only ride it on sunny days.

dolbydj 

I bought NOS white RX100 hoods for my bike and it really only took 3 weeks for them to feel gummy and turn grey. Unfortunately, the rubber is around 30 years old. Anyone recommend a replacement hood that fits?

JaccoW

Here is a brochure image of a 1992 Koga-Miyata Runner with Shimano RX-100 groupset.

I have to say, they seem a bit hard to photograph on a white background.



Though it's easier to see on this online auction:

Steel Charlie

Thanks a lot ! ! ! Now I'm gonna have to find a buncha components to tear apart and have powder coated. Must be the Inner Yuppie reaching out.
And just as a JMO - I'm a DuraAce kinda guy but I've always hated that stupid grey color that isn't even on all of the components. I mean, WTF is up with that??? Certainly a strange aesthetic if it can even be called that.

genejockey 

I just finished rebuilding my '94 Cannondale with RX100, but not the white stuff. That seems even harder to find than Sante! Plus it doesn't come in 8 speed, and I don't have any 7 speed wheels or cassettes.

dolbydj 

Yes, Steel Charlie, my 1994 105 parts are all in pieces waiting for some kind of white pearl paint or powder coat. Lol! I have never done this before and the brakes are especially troublesome. The parts themselves work great! But, likewise I find the painted grey / almost green hue - to not be very appealing. I have a second set on a Giant Cadex daily flat bar right now. I was planning to switch out with a Sante group set, but they only show up on very rare occasions here in Toronto. I have also notified owners selling old bikes of the value of their parts too - stupid me

unworthy1

Odd coincidence that in the eBay / CraigsList finds - "Are you looking for one of these!?" Part II thread there are 2 bikes this week that feature white gruppos Check out the Schwinn in post 60420 and the Peugeot in 60427 (I don't think either is Shimano, the Pug looks "unknown Euro" but the Schwinn has DC brakes and SunTour-looking drivetrain)

The Golden Boy 

Looking forward to pcb to relate the Suntour Ole story!!!

genejockey 

Update - I just acquired a 1989 Schwinn Circuit with full Sante groupset. There's so much more to Sante than just white. The 'white' cranks are pearlescent, up close. Same for the 'white' brake levers, and the hoods are gray, with a darker gray 'flange' between. There's a two-part cover over the headset, in two shades of gray, contrasting with the white bearing races.




The best part is the bike is in really good condition, while being incredibly dirty. I believe the dirt has served as a protective outer layer!

genejockey 

Further update - the Circuit rebuild is done! The Sante group on it was complete! The only thing missing was ONE of the black rubber nubs that go in the pivot bolts, and I found them at Loose Screws.