Originalification

I want to restore my beloved runaround of 7 years to it's original splendour.

I'd like your opinions on groupset/rims/tyres. Cheers

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Is that a bath mat on the top tube?

Its recycled yacht sail. Been on for 7 years. Does the job, top tube is pristine.

Why not sail all the tubes?

Have you ridden around for 7 years without bartape?

No. I took the worn bartape off today.

Might go for 105 groupset, Mavic steel rims, Schwalbe tan wall tyres

steel rims

excellent idea.

Message received. You two are insufferable. Maybe I'll just use my Ultegra groupset and create the nicest functional road bike I can without becoming a vintage puritan.

My original build was with the pure aim of making a solid, indestructable everyday ride, with every part researched on the merit of its indestructability (e.g. I used ultegra cranks which have very few reports of catastrophic failure, and I used solid MTB disc hub on the rear, as well as 2mm spokes) but it ended up lacking in style. Now I want some gears, retain the indestructability, and I'm also trying to give it a bit of a classic feel.

I'll post updates here as I go.

Can't work out whether you are going to go vintage Shimano 105 or brand new?

I'd definitely recommend going brand new, it's a groupset that has stood the test of time and the developments Shimano make for the lower tier groupset durability is fantastic, you also get the added bonus of low cost, should anything go wrong.

If you're riding something really hard all day everday, things will break and wear out, so I wouldn't just go for durability. Have something that you'll enjoy riding and the parts are easy to replace/repair. Obviously quality tyres, regularly cleaning the braking surfaces, keeping headset, bottom bracket, chain and wheel bearings properly maintained will keep it running sweet.

I have no statistics, but I'd say most cycle parts wear out and need to be replaced before they physically break.

tldr: keep your bike maintained and pretty much anything should be fine for a long time

Thanks. I'll look into a brand new 105 groupset as an option.

As you will ride it everyday, get a rim that will always be available so you can keep reusing the same spokes. Mavic changes the lineup often so something from Spa is good.

I'm confused, brand new 105 is hardly making things original, quite the opposite.

I built up an old steel frame with a Shimano 600 Tricolor groupset I found on eBay. The group must be approaching 30 years old, but the shifting on a brand new chain and cassette is still flawless, and it looks the part.

This^

To go vintagey:

I would build a friction shifting 6 or 7sp FW or 8sp FH group (not sure what spacing your ends are) Shimano 600 ftw. Bar end or DT shifters. Aero levers.

Nobody wants this stuff, lasts forever, no pissing about with index compatability. Hold out for under-used or nearly new stuff.

Find some old wheels ready to go, rims not worn out. Or re-pack and build up some cheap-as-chips old hubs with something solid like Rigida Grizzly (silver may be hard to find), or Chrina if you want skinny tyres.

Thanks skully. Its becoming more clear. I think I'll keep it close to the era style but not at the expense of reliability/weight gains. Those Rigida Chrinas will do nicely. Will update with my progress. I think someone's offering me some NOS/nearly new 600 stuff as we speak.

that era 600 is bombproof, plus the 6207 Cranks are the best looking ever.

Exactly that groupset going cheap: https://www.lfgss.com/conversations/302133/