90's groupsets

[johngmartin]

Anyone have any strong opinions (technical or nostalgic) about the greatest late 80's and 90's era groupsets that have stood the test of time?

I want to build up a few vintage frames this year (a MTB and a weekend light-tourer) and go out and have some fun. I want something durable, serviceable, and simple, but mostly fun - I thought I would use both builds as an excuse to try out some of the great 90s groups. My first thoughts were something like a Shimano 8-speed Tricolor group with bar-end shifters for the tourer and a 90's XTR group for the MTB, but I really don't know much about the groups from that period? Other ideas? Maybe a MTB group for the tourer as well? I am completely open to mixing-and-matching too. Remember - fun is the top priority!

What would you guys build?

[thirdgenbird]

Record 8spd for road

Xtr for mountain


For touring, I would be tempted to use 8spd xtr with chorus 10spd shifters.

[FlashUNC]

Dura Ace 7700 or Ultegra 6500. Even as a Campy snob I have to tip my hat to those first Shimano 9 speed groups.

Great stuff.

[donevwil]

I second thirdgenbird, Record 8 spd is about the most bomb-proof and user serviceable Ergo/STI option out there. 9 spd a close second, but Campy started to think lighter weight which didn't add anything to durability.

My MTB is an early '90's Inglis with original XT/XTR mix. Never had an issue, works perfectly with appropriate maintenance.

[ceolwulf]

Suntour Superbe Pro for me.

[David Tollefson]

Yeah, was gonna say Ultegra 8-speed. I've got some of the pieces still in regular use from new around 1990, and they haven't been babied at all.

[professerr]

Given your time frame of late 80s/90s, I'd go as far back as Dura Ace 7400, indexed downtube shifters (the first?), dual pivot (also the first?) brakes. Cranks are ugly though, so I used my Super Record ones (which were pretty but cracked, and cracked again....) I still have the DA stuff I raced on then and it never died a natural death (i.e. non-crash related), I just went to 10-speed.

I never got the love for Superb Pro -- it was always on sale back then, no one I knew raced on it, and the few bits I tried were meh.

[gmcampy]

Record 8spd for road

Xtr for mountain


For touring, I would be tempted to use 8spd xtr with chorus 10spd shifters.

Both of my current road bikes are Record 8 speed :hello:

[keevon]

Can't go wrong with 8-speed era 600 and Deore XT. Great way to get the bombproof vintage stuff without paying the premium for Dura Ace / XTR. That said, the Dura Ace 7410 and XTR M900 cranksets are works of art.

105-SC from that era is nice too, but the "champagne" finish may or may not look right with the frame. There are some beautiful pieces from the short-lived Sante group, but the white crankset never did it for me.

[guyintense]

I'm partial to XTR 950. Over twenty years on my Intense Uzzi SL and still going strong.

[joosttx]

Shimano DX. It was bullet proof.

[oldpotatoe]

Anyone have any strong opinions (technical or nostalgic) about the greatest late 80's and 90's era groupsets that have stood the test of time?

I want to build up a few vintage frames this year (a MTB and a weekend light-tourer) and go out and have some fun. I want something durable, serviceable, and simple, but mostly fun - I thought I would use both builds as an excuse to try out some of the great 90s groups. My first thoughts were something like a Shimano 8-speed Tricolor group with bar-end shifters for the tourer and a 90's XTR group for the MTB, but I really don't know much about the groups from that period? Other ideas? Maybe a MTB group for the tourer as well? I am completely open to mixing-and-matching too. Remember - fun is the top priority!

What would you guys build?

1996/7 Record and early 90s XTR

[spacemen3]

Suntour Superbe Pro for me.
Absolutely.

When it comes to MTB, I've always been partial to the Shimano XT M735 derailleurs and M732 thumbshifters.

[thirdgenbird]

1996/7 Record and early 90s XTR

Good man.

[sante pollastri]

dura ace 7700 & suntour superb pro.

[johngmartin]

:banana:

[OperaLover]

'98 Record 9-speed Ti (silvery goodness with the rounded top brake levers). Suntour Superbe Pro (last generation. indexed. hidden spring brakes)

[Chris]

Sante

[lonoeightysix]

I always shocked how much NOS 950 series xtr stuff goes for.

That flat xtr gray looks great on any mtb. Those rebuildable BB's with needle bearings are awesome, too. In contrast, not many seem to dig 960 series stuff.

[StephenCL]

Suntour Superbe Pro for me.

Yup, the very best the 1990's offered. Cold forged cranks, cartridge bearing hubs and bb, internal spring brakes, and the price at about Shimano 600 or campy Athena...


I loved this group.

[cash05458]

campy 8 and early 9, both record and chorus...tho record seems to go a lil better and dura/ultegra 9 6500...just phenonemal...

[merckx]

I used Mavic in the mid-90's. It was well engineered, easily repairable and durable. I rode the snot out of it. Maybe some NOS is available?

[54ny77]

http://i.huffpost.com/gen/786570/original.jpg

[R3awak3n]

I have some 8 speed chorus, shifts better than my 10 speed centaur.

[zap]

Anyone have any strong opinions (technical or nostalgic) about the greatest late 80's and 90's era groupsets that have stood the test of time?

?

Mavic road and Shimano XTR 900.

[TBDSeattle]

My first thoughts were something like a Shimano 8-speed Tricolor group with bar-end shifters for the tourer and a 90's XTR group for the MTB...

The first thing that I thought was Shimano 600 Tricolor group. Great, great stuff. I rode those groups hard, and they always performed.

I hoarded Tricolor for a while... even did a one-off blog on how to completely overhaul the STI shifters because I liked them so much.

http://shimanostioverhaul.wordpress.com/

Let me know if you end up going down that road. I can poke around in the garage and see how much of one of those groups I have left.

[soulspinner]

Yup, the very best the 1990's offered. Cold forged cranks, cartridge bearing hubs and bb, internal spring brakes, and the price at about Shimano 600 or campy Athena...


I loved this group.

Ran that stuff forever.

[Dromen]

7700 is still my Fav. I sold a pristine 7sp SuperB Groupo,,,hubs, seatpost, everything. STUPID STUPID STUPID.

[Jexbrah]

Shimano 600 tricolor and dura ace 7400 gets my vote

[harryschwartzma]

Road: Sachs New Success
Mtn: Suntour XC Pro Microdrive

[Columbus SLX]

There can never be too much 1992-1994 C Record 8 speed ergo in my stable. Solid, firm clicks, never goes "outta tune" because of the generous cog spacing, simple shield graphics. It's the high point for me.

[johngmartin]

The first thing that I thought was Shimano 600 Tricolor group. Great, great stuff. I rode those groups hard, and they always performed.

I hoarded Tricolor for a while... even did a one-off blog on how to completely overhaul the STI shifters because I liked them so much.

http://shimanostioverhaul.wordpress.com/

Let me know if you end up going down that road. I can poke around in the garage and see how much of one of those groups I have left.

I appreciate it! I will definitely get in touch if I start heading that way.