JackJohn

Thanks for sharing… the advantage of doing this game with reference to a specific time period (60s to 80s) and not to a notional concept (vintage) avoids to define what is C&V, a subject discussed at length in other posts….

jdawginsc 

So basically we have a Campy NR bike with Cyclone FD, Simplex RF shifters, A9headset, Mafac CPs and a SunTour New Winner freewheel.

Unclear what rims and seatpost we have:

JackJohn

Almost... For now the C&V "aggregate dream team" of all individual "dream team" components would see a Campy Record/NR/SR strong presence with FD, Brake levers, Brake calipers, Crankset, Pedals, BB, Hubs and Seatpost, but also Simplex RF shifters, Suntour Cyclone FD ex-aequo, Suntour Cyclone RD, Mafac Racer brakes ex-aequo, Suntour Superbe pedals ex-aequo, Stronglight Delta/A9 headset, Suntour Winner Pro FW, Mavic GP4 or SC58 rims and SM Rolls saddle.

There are not enough preferences yet to draw a significant trend, but something's taking shape...

smd4

Would definitely agree with you. I use full set of 7700 parts with 7700 downtube shifters and 7402 aero brake levers.

I would (and have) gone so far as to say the DA 7700 25th Anniversary group is the nicest looking road group ever produced--and likely ever to be produced.

SJX426 

How do you lump 60s, 70's, and 80's together? From my perspective, items from the 80's will likely trump those from the 60's.
Because of that, my favorite has to be Suntour Super Pro, from the 80's with index.
P1040452 on Flickr
hidden springs rival dual pivot with the kool stops.
P1040790 on Flickr
Levers are reasonably comfortable and nearly a knockoff of Campy but aero
P1040448 on Flickr
Shifters are equivalent to the 7402s I used on the Pinny
P1040794 on Flickr
Cranks are an aesthetic improvement of Campy. Have to include the Pro BB too.
Suntour Superbe Pro_13 on Flickr
Pillar/post goes to American classic for ease of adjustment and weight. Campy 2 bolt is next but not long enough.
P1040442 on Flickr
I will have to pick the Swallow that has a history back to 1937.
P1040421 on Flickr
Granted I haven't a pair of Pro pedals so the default would be Campy since the KEOs are too new.
P1000188 on Flickr
The difficult one is hubs where Campy is legendary but I think I will choose Mavic 50x series mated to Mavic 330 with DB Champion Spokes.
P9201293 on Flickr
Don't have a good picture of it but the 65-40 Cinelli bar is pretty sweet and for looks the 1R stem
No mention of cluster which would be either Suntour New Winner or the Regina something on the Colnago. The latter is surprisingly good mated to the Campy SR, great shifting.
HS..... They all work but the Campy SR is the go to for me, even though the Stronglight roller bearings appeal to my mechanical engineering side.

Piff 

Hmmmmmmm...Assuming unlimited availability/funds...Also, I doubt that the chosen cranks and front derailleur will play nice, but oh well.

Are we not including stem/handlebar?

After years of only doing friction downtube, I do have to admit that indexed downtube shifting is oh-so-nice.

• SHIFTERS: Dura Ace 7402
• REAR DER.: Dura Ace 7402
• FRONT DER. SunTour XC Pro triple
• BRAKE LEVERS: Shimano 105 SLR non-aero
• BRAKE CALIPERS: CLB Professional
• CRANK: TA 50.4
• PEDALS: Specialized Touring
• BOTTOM BRACKET: ???
• HEADSET: Stronglight A9 delta
• Hubs: Dura Ace 7402 uniglide 7 speed
• Cassette: Dura Ace uniglide
• RIMS: Wolber Super Champion Alpine
• SEATPOST: Dura Ace 7400
• SADDLE: Brooks Swallow
• STEM: SR Extra super light
• Handlebars: SR Road Champion ranndnnrr (or however they spell it)

SJX426 

SR Royal NRY-ESL, New Royal Extra Super Light is a rare bird and very nice. I would like to get rid of mine which is 130 in length. All TI fasteners and hollow quill.
IIRC branded as Superbe Pro.
P1010815 on Flickr
P1040807, on Flickr

smd4

My vote for best stem: Dura Ace 7400. Probably they only truly hidden-bolt stem ever made. Arguably the nicest quill stem in existence.

icemilkcoffee 

I am surprised that nobody has nominated the Shimano AX groupset

steelbikeguy

I do like the American Classic, both for those reasons and that it was an affordable 27.4mm post. I've got two bikes that require a 27.4mm post, and both are using the American Classic. Two other bikes are using the 27.2mm version.

Here's one of the 27.4mm posts in action...


Steve in Peoria

Jeff Wills

I think that’s because the initial request was for “best”, not “quirkiest”.
While I now drool over the AX group almost as much as I did back in the ‘80’s, I think I’d go for Superbe Pro for a “early-‘80’s road bike” setup not Dura-Ace AX.

JackJohn

shall I add your vote to the AX groupset?

smd4

Aside from the stem, there are no standout parts in that group, innovative though some may have been.

JackJohn

Among other known parts not grabbing a vote, it's curious how the following names haven't been mentioned yet: Simplex SLJ or Campy C-Record or Huret Jubilee derailleurs, Shimano 600 groupset, Nisi or Ambrosio or Fiamme or Mavic Monthlery rims, Regina FW, Unicanitor or Concor Supercorsa saddle, etc.

Keefusb

The Shimano 600/Ultegra/Tri-color/6400 components have a lot of admirers here on BF, so I'm also surprised they didn't get more love on this poll.

smd4

While they may look nice (if painted parts are your thing), I’m pretty sure no one would consider them the “best” in any performance category.

50PlusCycling

My ‘84 Pinarello Record came with my dream kit out of the box. A complete Campy Record group, Cinelli bar and stem, and Mavic sew-up rims.

My current “vintage” bike is a 90-ish Moulton, and rather than go old-school, I set it up with a complete Dura Ace 9070 Di2 driveline.

50PlusCycling

Funny, I’ve had my eye on a 3 Renso “Katana” with a complete Dura Ace AX group-set. It has a pantographed AX-3 Rensho crankset.

Keefusb

They may not be "the" best but the thread is for "your" best. The Shimano Tri-color group has a following on BF because for many folks, they perform at a level that is nearly top-of-the-line for a not-so-top-of-the-line price. In particular, I favor the Tri-color hubs and FD's because they work extremely well.

smd4

If “your” best includes a “works great for the price” component, then vote for them. If money was no object, I doubt Shimano 600 parts would make any “best” lists.

Classtime 

I haven't tried all the exotic stuff but of what I know, this is the best from the friction era. It's pretty much what I could have on my '85 IM if I were to improve a few things from its current catalog specifications like wheels and brakes. I have no experience with a complete Tri-color group but if that is within the timeframe under consideration I would likely choose that since I am a super fan of 7700.

• SHIFTERS: Shimano 6207
• REAR DER.: Shimano 6207
• FRONT DER. Shimano 6207
• BRAKE LEVERS: Shimano 105 SLR
• BRAKE CALIPERS: Shimano 1050
• CRANK: Shimano 6207
• PEDALS: Campy Record
• BOTTOM BRACKET: Shimano 600
• HEADSET: Stronglight A9
• Hubs: Dura Ace 7402
• Cassette: Sachs 6 speed
• RIMS: Mavic GP4
• SEATPOST: Suntour Superpe
• SADDLE: Selle San Marco Concor
• STEM: Nitto Pearl
• Handlebars: Nitto B115
• Chain: Shimano HG71
• Spokes: DT Comps and Brass nipples.

JackJohn

Poll Updated…

AdventureManCO 

A 3rd vote for the Sakae Ringyo ESL stem, just a complete work of art, and very high grade.


Also, for cranks - Shimano 7410. Completely beautiful, functional, and lovely! I've not used many of the other parts listed here, and tend to think that some modern equivalents are close enough in looks but far and away superior in performance (6500/6600 dual pivots?) that it may not be worth arguing over, but I was very impressed w/ both the looks and serviceability of the Campy SR front derailleur.