Groupset Recommendations?

Right.

So, I have searched through some old threads looking for some information / recommendations about groupsets and nothing has really jumped out at me. Yes there is a road bike recommendations thread but this seems to be more about new road bikes.

What I am wanting to do is find a nice steel frame (or complete bike) and build it up with decent second hand components and wheels. The frame I am after is going to be a 90s era steel one, so groupsets of this time are likely to 'fit' better. Being my first proper road bike I would like to hear recommendations or advice that might help in the search.........

I am specifically wanting a nice 'classic' looking groupset which functions well and will last for a long time, and it needs to have ergo shifters (nice shape with the grips I hear is important?), and being slightly particular I would like a complete groupset, and needs to be all silver.

Campagnolo vs Shimano?
I know there will never be any concensus here, but again just looking for some help (but am tending toward Campag). Are mid range groups ok or is it worth spending a bit more and getting more higher end?
8, 9 or 10 speed? does it really matter?
Pricewise, fairly flexible but cant afford mega bucks for pristine C record or anything, just looking for good value for money really and not buying new so second hand but good condition will be the way forward.

It needs to function well plus look decent

Thanks in advance for any help, Im a newbie when it comes to gears and stuff!

PR

New veloce in silver works well with classic builds.

Modern hubs are 130mm, the rear spacing of a 90's frame is possibly going to be 126mm, not a big issue but something to bear in mind

I recently sold my gazelle with an 8 speed tricolour 600 groupset which included brifters. Perfectly functional and from the 90s so would look period I guess. You may need to look around a while if you want all mint components though.

Here's the old for sale thread with a picture for you.
http://www.lfgss.com/thread102183.html

If you're new to gears it might be worth copping a feel of the different hood styles to see what suits before you lay any cash down.

Modern hubs are 130mm, the rear spacing of a 90's frame is possibly going to be 126mm, not a big issue but something to bear in mind

thanks for the info, I know there are 126 and 130 spacing, can I assume that the 130 spacing is for more gears 9/10 speed and 126 for 8 speed?

If you're new to gears it might be worth copping a feel of the different hood styles to see what suits before you lay any cash down.

thanks, this is part of the original question as I understand it can make quite a difference. Does anyone know if there is a general rule of thumb for which hoods are considered good, or is it all down to some people find Shimano better, some people Campag? or does it depend on individual hand shape / riding position and style?

I've recently finished building a similar bike-
90's 531c frame with late 1999 campag mirage/veloce/ chorus 9 speed mix of components.
Bought an nos mirage group from hilary stone and 'upgraded' parts and sold the ones I had over time.
Dont really notice much difference between the cheaper parts except for the finish of them... Didn't notice any difference in performance between mirage and chorus/ record and most of the parts were the same weight! Maybe the more expensive parts will last longer?

^ Maybe a Campag thing? I find a big difference between the Shimano Sora and Ultegra on two of my bikes, in terms of precision and lack of slop in the shifting.

Tried this thread yet? https://www.lfgss.com/thread15100.html

cheers I am Hingis, I hadnt seen that somehow? Quite useful although alot of the discussion is around new or nearly new / modern groupsets.......I think im after something a little older. Is this wise? Can some of the 90s era groupsets function nearly as good as the new ones, or is it a completely different ball game these days?

How do people find the size difference between say riding a track bike vs geared road bike? I ride a track frame of about 55-56cm top tube length but ride on the top of the drops mainly......I have a road bike at the moment with top tube 55cm and slammed short stem and it still feels like im reaching when holding onto the shifters, definately feels like I need a shorter top tube, seat tube is fine when around 55-56cm tho. Is this common? I am around 5'10

I recently got hold of a late 80's/early 90s Merckx and have put together an early 2000's ish 10 speed record/chorus mix for about £300. I wanted modern function but something that still looks in keeping. Still got a few bits to get but should be building in the next few weeks...don't know how it will compare to the newest stuff but it will be first foray into ergo territory so should feel like a step up from my old nuovo record!

I'd go for Drua Ace 7400 if you can find a group in good nick/it's in budget. The rear mech looks beautiful and it has such a satisfying clunk when shifting

How do people find the size difference between say riding a track bike vs geared road bike? I ride a track frame of about 55-56cm top tube length but ride on the top of the drops mainly......I have a road bike at the moment with top tube 55cm and slammed short stem and it still feels like im reaching when holding onto the shifters, definately feels like I need a shorter top tube, seat tube is fine when around 55-56cm tho. Is this common? I am around 5'10

Just break out the tape measure and compare. Track geo with steeper angles moves saddle forward and if you are riding on the flat portion of the bars the combo of saddle moving back a bit and reaching for the hoods will stretch you out.

If you can afford it, I doubt you'll find anything better value than this:
http://www.lfgss.com/thread103210.html

If I hadn't just upgraded to a pretty much unused anodised grey groupset I'd be taking ... well pretty much all thats there

On the road bike have you considered the bar reach? Maybe a swap to compact 'Spotter' bars would help? Also both modern Shimano and Campagnolo have shims to allow reach adjustment of the levers .. could be another option to look at

New veloce in silver works well with classic builds.

Modern hubs are 130mm, the rear spacing of a 90's frame is possibly going to be 126mm, not a big issue but something to bear in mind

This is my wifes bike with 2011 Campy Veloce.

Frame is 126mm, but I had no problems fitting the modern hub in there.

I love the way the modern Campy looks on older steel frames.

Only thing I'd change is some shorter reach bars.

Looks great- you could move the shifters further up the bars (so that the tips of the levers are above a line taken from the flat underside of the drop section) which would shorten the reach somewhat?

http://www.mytenspeeds.com/My_TenSpeeds_1/HowToDoIt/HandlebarTaping/HBarTaping_SettingLever1.jpg

Yeah, I might have a look this weekend.

Hopefully I'll be able to re-wrap the tape easily enough.