Nominate your favorite 'most beautiful' component
07-04-18, 10:42 PM
#52
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07-05-18, 02:44 AM
#53
Steel is real
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Earlier I was a sucker for shine (still am) but with age I tend to like patina more and more (maybe because I am getting some myself). Things that are used but not abused.
Unicanitor
Almarc stitched leather
Milremo
Bianchi/Campagnolo integrated headset on a Specialissima
Unicanitor
Almarc stitched leather
Milremo
Bianchi/Campagnolo integrated headset on a Specialissima
07-05-18, 03:10 AM
#55
verktyg
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07-05-18, 03:38 AM
#56
verktyg
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John, 
I had a set of each BITD. They were so good looking that I never got around to using them!
@AdventureManCO "Wasn't there also a bike famous for its 'honeycomb' dropouts?"
Gitane used the Huret honeycomb dropouts between 1974 and 1976. They were so weird looking that even novice customers commented on them. We ended selling most of those bikes at cost, just to get rid of them. We're talking pretty here.
Those were NOT pretty so I'll link a picture for you.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/28267220@N05/4449921492
verktyg
I had a set of each BITD. They were so good looking that I never got around to using them!
@AdventureManCO "Wasn't there also a bike famous for its 'honeycomb' dropouts?"
Gitane used the Huret honeycomb dropouts between 1974 and 1976. They were so weird looking that even novice customers commented on them. We ended selling most of those bikes at cost, just to get rid of them. We're talking pretty here.
Those were NOT pretty so I'll link a picture for you.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/28267220@N05/4449921492verktyg
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Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
07-05-18, 10:55 AM
#59
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments. Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
07-05-18, 12:18 PM
#61
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Just about any old component that you take the time to bring to a nice finish can be beautiful, if not the MOST beautiful. Often it's not the piece, but how well the piece suits the whole bike. 980 RD = entry level, but functions well to this day.
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Vintage, modern, e-road. It is a big cycling universe.
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Last edited by Wildwood; 07-05-18 at 12:24 PM.
07-05-18, 01:06 PM
#63
Senior Member
+1 more for NR rear derailleur. They boggled my mind when I first saw one when i was 12.
But I can't pick just one! They are all my children. On a different day I'd have picked many of the components mentioned in previous posts. I'd like to thank the following for their coolness:
Huret Jubilee derailleurs. I prefer the short cage, and especially like the front. Maybe it's the 8 point star.
Zeus 2000 cranks. I'm not Spanish but I've always been in love with the whole 2000 group.
Stronglight 93. Stars are a theme I guess.
MAFAC brake levers - because they look like an elephant.
Maxicar hubs - just cuz they're beautiful
But for today, I'll go for the NR. (you guys don't ride yours enough
)
But I can't pick just one! They are all my children. On a different day I'd have picked many of the components mentioned in previous posts. I'd like to thank the following for their coolness:
Huret Jubilee derailleurs. I prefer the short cage, and especially like the front. Maybe it's the 8 point star.
Zeus 2000 cranks. I'm not Spanish but I've always been in love with the whole 2000 group.
Stronglight 93. Stars are a theme I guess.
MAFAC brake levers - because they look like an elephant.
Maxicar hubs - just cuz they're beautiful
But for today, I'll go for the NR. (you guys don't ride yours enough
)
07-05-18, 01:26 PM
#64
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Yup. Such an original aesthetic, with the heart-shaped knuckles, and the moire dots. And the fact that it ruled the pro peloton with a 50's era design all the way through the late 70's. A stone cold classic.
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07-05-18, 07:20 PM
#65
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Anything with Campagnolo stamped on it.
I love the Campy large flange hubs, lucky to have them on two bikes.
I love the Campy large flange hubs, lucky to have them on two bikes.
Last edited by Slightspeed; 07-06-18 at 08:29 AM.
07-05-18, 08:31 PM
#66
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07-05-18, 08:37 PM
#67
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I'm voting pretty much everything hanging off my Opus III
So simple and elegant. Pure magic when you fondle them.
As mentioned earlier, Superbe Pro, jewelry.
Mmmm.....
Look at the lines on the crank arm, wow!
Nitto Pearl, such a beautiful stem.
Even the brakes are pure sex, hubba hubba!
More deliciousness!
Excuse me, I need a moment alone.....
So simple and elegant. Pure magic when you fondle them.
As mentioned earlier, Superbe Pro, jewelry.
Mmmm.....
Look at the lines on the crank arm, wow!
Nitto Pearl, such a beautiful stem.
Even the brakes are pure sex, hubba hubba!
More deliciousness!
Excuse me, I need a moment alone.....
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Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
07-05-18, 08:46 PM
#68
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I think I have a pair of those Gran Compe levers, undrilled. I think they are on a Centurion.
Right on the money with the cranks, simply...Superbe! (haha)
My favorite cranks are the Dura Ace 7410...but those Suberbe's sure give them a run for their money.
Okay, more lovely goodness...
Willow triplizer chainring...and from our very own @top506
These things just look so lovely when all put together on the crank...very elegant.
I seem to remember a crank that had a gentle spiral effect that matched up with the chainring...can anyone help me out with that one? Seemed the design was really flowy and nice.
07-05-18, 11:12 PM
#69
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07-05-18, 11:21 PM
#70
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Bruce Gordon stem, if you like carbon...
07-06-18, 12:37 AM
#71
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Yes! That and of course this beauty, the Sugino RT crank -
07-06-18, 03:55 AM
#72
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Though much of the high end exotic stuff is great eye candy, one of my favorite components has to be the Carnelli stem...
or any item from the Shimano 600 Arabesque group...
or any item from the Shimano 600 Arabesque group...
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07-06-18, 05:45 AM
#73
Fillet-Brazed Member
Spécialités T.A. Pro 5 Vis cranks with Cyclotourist chainrings -- (photos @ Metacortex)
Beautiful and functional ...
36-54T ... with special chain ring guards (to protect your pants) and an inner ramp (for better shifting) make these cranks amazing!
Beautiful and functional ...
36-54T ... with special chain ring guards (to protect your pants) and an inner ramp (for better shifting) make these cranks amazing!
Last edited by specialmonkey; 07-06-18 at 06:19 AM.
07-06-18, 06:32 AM
#74
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I would have chosen so many already posted! @Chombi1 picture reminded me of one that has not been shown with graceful lines that impress me.
P1020201, on Flickr
These hubs don't get a lot of attention, but when they do, it is always positive.
P9201307, on Flickr
P1020201, on Flickr
These hubs don't get a lot of attention, but when they do, it is always positive.
P9201307, on Flickr
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Last edited by SJX426; 07-06-18 at 06:38 AM.
07-06-18, 08:04 PM
#75
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The Bluemel Air Weight has such a nice design, until you try to get it on the bike. They rarely matched the lines of the Sports/Club bike era and manipulating them to fit is hard at best. I'd like someone to mount these with 650Bs and take a good look then. They're got rain gutters!