Modern Groupset for 90s Italian Bike
#1
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Modern Groupset for 90s Italian Bike
I've got a 1993 Basso Gap with Campagnolo Veloce 8 speed group (I think it is '93, but could be +/- 1 year). This is an Italian bike with old school threaded BB and headset and I'd like to modernize it as a project. I realize the rear dropout spacing will have to be increased, but assuming I can cold set it wider, can anyone recommend a complete modern groupset that will be compatible (I guess Shimano preferably)? Or will this require precise measuring and sourcing of parts a la cart?
Chris
Chris
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All Shimano, Sram, and Campy groups will be fine. You need to get the right front derailleur, top vs bottom pull, clamp size or more likely braze on. This might limit you to 53-39 crank but maybe not.
The bottom bracket is either Italian or BSA. Both are still widely available.
With 8 speed, you might already be at 130mm on your dropouts. If not, that last 4 mm is often not even noticeable on a steel bike. Measure, I bet you're close.
You can still get rim brakes and cable with actuated shifters/brakes for almost every single group. No worries.
11 speed 105 would objectively be an upgrade. Subjectively, you might be happier with Campy. Don't get Sram.
You might go to a shop with your bike and see what all is needed so you can be sure to get the right part.
The bottom bracket is either Italian or BSA. Both are still widely available.
With 8 speed, you might already be at 130mm on your dropouts. If not, that last 4 mm is often not even noticeable on a steel bike. Measure, I bet you're close.
You can still get rim brakes and cable with actuated shifters/brakes for almost every single group. No worries.
11 speed 105 would objectively be an upgrade. Subjectively, you might be happier with Campy. Don't get Sram.
You might go to a shop with your bike and see what all is needed so you can be sure to get the right part.
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#4
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This is actually pretty straightforward. If it has 8 speed Campy, you can throw pretty much any modern groupset on there and don't need to respace the rear triangle. 70mm ITA bottom brackets are readily available for pretty much everything. Unfortunately you can't run any modern cassette on your existing rear wheel, so you'll need a new one. I'm a big fan of road tubeless; consider getting a tubeless compatible wheelset so you can try it out if you like. I like Shimano, Campagnolo, and SRAM road drivetrains to be honest--it's really your own personal preference.
Also, for the modern bike experience I recommend getting some compact drop handlebars. For use with the original or other threaded stem, Nitto Noodles are pretty nice, and I installed https://www.modernbike.com/dimension...ndlebar-silver on a bike and they were actually quite lovely given the price. Or if you want to open up your handlebar options you can get a threaded>threadless converter, like https://velo-orange.com/products/vo-...s-stem-adaptor, or use one of the relatively rare threaded stems with a 31.8 clamp, like https://velo-orange.com/collections/...ceplate-31-8mm .
Great bike! I hope you continue enjoying it for decades to come.
Also, for the modern bike experience I recommend getting some compact drop handlebars. For use with the original or other threaded stem, Nitto Noodles are pretty nice, and I installed https://www.modernbike.com/dimension...ndlebar-silver on a bike and they were actually quite lovely given the price. Or if you want to open up your handlebar options you can get a threaded>threadless converter, like https://velo-orange.com/products/vo-...s-stem-adaptor, or use one of the relatively rare threaded stems with a 31.8 clamp, like https://velo-orange.com/collections/...ceplate-31-8mm .
Great bike! I hope you continue enjoying it for decades to come.
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Forgot to mention. If you want threadless, options nare good but limited.
Ritchey and King make excellent 1" headsets, I'd look into one of them.
Hylix, a maker of knockoff carbon fiber forks on eBay. I've had two and was certainly happy with the first. I don't have miles on the second one yet.
Wound Up makes the finest 1" carbon fork. It's expensive and heavy as steel though.
Columbus has a 1" option that looks good and has a good name on the side.
Ritchey and King make excellent 1" headsets, I'd look into one of them.
Hylix, a maker of knockoff carbon fiber forks on eBay. I've had two and was certainly happy with the first. I don't have miles on the second one yet.
Wound Up makes the finest 1" carbon fork. It's expensive and heavy as steel though.
Columbus has a 1" option that looks good and has a good name on the side.
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define modernize..... you can certainly put a new groupset on.....I really like the compact crank setup. pretty much any group can be had with a bb bracket to work with italian threaded. one question is will you get a huge benefit from going from 8 speed to 11/12
you could put a centaur group on https://www.velomine.com/index.php?m...oducts_id=4859
you could put a centaur group on https://www.velomine.com/index.php?m...oducts_id=4859
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(looking for Torpado Super light frame/fork or for Raleigh International frame fork 58cm)
#9
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Thanks all, for the replies. Maybe I can find a gently used group. Don't have a lot to drop on this.
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A good option for a slightly used groupset is to buy a complete bike with the components you want and resell the frame and other non required components. You can save a lot. I did this for my 1988 Colnago Master Piu now equiped with an 11-speed 2012 Campy Record. Of course, with an Italian bike, Campagnolo components are almost a must
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I would go probably with a Campagnolo Potenza groupset in silver. I bleed Shimano blue for sure but on an Italian bike Campy, Campy, Campy, accettare no sostituti.
One of my co-workers has the Ti version (or at least a similar era Ti Basso maybe not a Gap) and he loves it and of course Campy all the way.
One of my co-workers has the Ti version (or at least a similar era Ti Basso maybe not a Gap) and he loves it and of course Campy all the way.
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I've got a 1993 Basso Gap with Campagnolo Veloce 8 speed group (I think it is '93, but could be +/- 1 year). This is an Italian bike with old school threaded BB and headset and I'd like to modernize it as a project. I realize the rear dropout spacing will have to be increased, but assuming I can cold set it wider, can anyone recommend a complete modern groupset that will be compatible (I guess Shimano preferably)? Or will this require precise measuring and sourcing of parts a la cart?
Chris
Chris
But yes, your Basso will build up just fine with modern stuff (winky face). You can also use a stem converter (or whatever they are called) if you want to use more modern stem and bar options: