Classic look components

sinjun

I'm building a road bike which I would like to have a classic look, not to the extent of using genuine vintage components, but with e.g. no oversize tubing, handlebars etc., no carbon bits.

I've ordered frame, and would like some suggestions for handlebar, hubs and groupset - would Campag Centaur look the part? I'm thinking of Open Pro rims built onto skinny hubs of some sort - any suggestions for the latter and a good wheelbuilder who would supply them?

acorn_user

06 Centaur would really look the part. The new oversize hub bodies on Campagnolos recent hubs don't quite suit, and the 06 models are pricey these days because everyone digs the style. Why don't you find some earlier 9 speed hubs and use those? Otherwise, 06 Veloce would look great and not be as expensive.

07/07 Veloce were available in polished silver, so you could substitute those into an 07/08 Centaur group if you had to.

As far as other components go, finding silver bars/stems etc can be a challenge. There are some threads about it on other forums (e.g. Serotta forum).

Monty Dog

I'd look on ebay and try and source some non-carbon Campagnolo components, such as 10 speed Chorus, Centaur etc. Older 9 speed hubs will accept 10 speed cassettes and a builder would happily build some wheels for you. You could also try and find some silver rims too, DRC do some. Bars might be trickier if you're looking for silver and particularly a classic bend i.e. non-ergo. Again ebay might turn up some 26.0mm bars - careful to make sure they're not Cinellis in 26.4mm because aheadstems don't exist in this size.

zenzinnia

Monty Dog wrote:

careful to make sure they're not Cinellis in 26.4mm because aheadstems don't exist in this size.

But then Ahead stems aren't exactly classic look either - finding an old sleek aloy stem and a good headset to go with it might be tricky. It's worth looking round for a bicycle recyling project that might have loads of bits or really good old bike shops might have some older quality commponents knocking about - try phoning spa cycles. I found a polished alloy rim a few years back - Alesia Endeavour but they've been discontinued now.

cougie

Wouldnt it have been cheaper and easier just to buy an older bike ? Unfashionable and cheap as chips.