Are current gruppos ugly?

[JasonF]

I think this is most pronounced in cranks. Personally, current crank design seems incongruous and "off kilter" in order to accommodate varying chainring sizes. IMHO, the Praxis Zayante is a great looking modern crank and even comes close to the beauty of the Campy cranks from the early 2010s...

[David Tollefson]

Groups started going downhill with the introduction of dual-pivot brake calipers. I still prefer them (both aesthetics and performance) on my road bikes, but they are generally used for dry road rides only. So there's that.

All that said, I still like the performance of brake/shift levers, and when I can afford the dosh, will go wireless.

For anything that goes off-pavement as well as in the wet, it's disc brakes all day.

I'm not a curmudgeon, ya know.

Now get off my lawn!

[saab2000]

Originally Posted by tomato coupe

This thread is the bicycling equivalent of "They haven't made any good music since the 50/60/70s." It mostly just reveals one's age.

My thoughts exactly. Or cars stopped looking good in 1970.

[reuben]

Originally Posted by saab2000

My thoughts exactly. Or cars stopped looking good in 1970.

Gremlin and Pacer were two of the ugliest cars ever. Admittedly, the Gremlin came out in 1970 and the Pacer came out in the mid 70s, but..

But maybe the Gremlin was the 1970 death knell as you suggest.

[DeBike]

I certainly agree with the "most bikes are ugly these days." I do not think that groupsets are necessarily ugly. But that whole line of thought is very subjective. I have the 105 7000 groupset, gray/silver, on a new, black Soma Smoothie steel frame that I recently built. I like the way they look together. I will say that the 7000 groupset, IMO, is outstanding. That is what really matters to me. That and the frame and CF fork make for a very nice ride.

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

it's not the components fault.

the real problem is that most bikes are ugly these days. look at this red hot mess below. what a visual steaming pile of garbage.

unfortunately the component manufacturers were forced to abandon beautiful, subtly designed components to match the ugliness of the bikes being made today.

and, welcome to the forum

[EPOJoe]

Yes, current groups and current bikes are ugly. But then again, this is what I'm riding...

[weisan]

>>Or is it just me?

>>I started riding when Look pedals first appeared - mid 80s I guess.

The answer to your question can be answered in one or two ways....let's try this first

Do you prefer a) Madonna or b) Ariana Grande?

If you reply (a) or you have no idea who (b) is - then the problem lies with you.

If you rely (b), then yes, your objective evaluation of current gruppos being ugly is correct.

[Elefantino]

When I'm riding, I generally don't focus on what my groupset looks like, just how it works.

When I'm putting my bike on the wall as art, it has to be all silver, vintage and mint.

Disclaimer: I have no bikes as wall art.

[sailorboy]

Yes, we just tolerate the recent ugliness of campagnolo because we have to to get 11 or 12 speeds...and shimano was never the prettiest, so we never expected much from them, though they had their moments.

PS nice avatar, Junior K.

[reuben]

Originally Posted by weisan

>>Or is it just me?

>>I started riding when Look pedals first appeared - mid 80s I guess.

The answer to your question can be answered in one or two ways....let's try this first

Do you prefer a) Madonna or b) Ariana Grande?

If you reply (a) or you have no idea who (b) is - then the problem lies with you.

If you rely (b), then yes, your objective evaluation of current gruppos being ugly is correct.

Well, I'm not sure how to take that, but I'll try.

Madonna v Ariana Grande (musically): I've heard a few Madonna songs over the years. Can't remember any. So no preference. I've heard the name Ariana Grande and I'm guessing that she's also a singer. No idea what she sounds like. Again, no preference.

Madonna v Ariana Grande (looks): Madonna - who knows what she looks like under all the hairdos and costumes and makeup? I'm not into all that. Same for Ariana, assuming that she's a similar sort of performer.

I like things that are simple, clean, and elegant. Bikes, women, etc.

Overall that's probably a (c) response - none of the above.

[bironi]

I like the shiny sh_t better, but I don't rule the world.
From the saddle it does not matter.
Look where you want to go!

[reuben]

Originally Posted by Elefantino

When I'm riding, I generally don't focus on what my groupset looks like, just how it works.

When I'm putting my bike on the wall as art, it has to be all silver, vintage and mint.

Disclaimer: I have no bikes as wall art.

This forum needs a like button.

[Dino Suegiù]

There were apexes and disasters in the past, and there will be apexes and disasters in the future.

This was the most recent apex, imo, expensive but aesthetically sublime:
Campagnolo Super Record 11 RS ti Limited Edition, 2014.


2014 Campagnolo Super Record RS groupset review

[BRad704]

Originally Posted by AngryScientist

Call me crazy, but I think that's insanely gorgeous. But gorgeous like the new Vette, not the 'classic hotness' of something like a 1987 Yellowbird.

[OtayBW]

Originally Posted by Dino Suegiù

There were apexes and disasters in the past, and there will be apexes and disasters in the future.

This was the most recent apex, imo, expensive but aesthetically sublime:
Campagnolo Super Record 11 RS ti Limited Edition, 2014.


2014 Campagnolo Super Record RS groupset review

Ding, Ding, Ding!