Early 90's mix and match groupset preference?

brocklanders023 · Jan 19, 2021

Refresh my memory team! Back in the early 90's (pre M900 XTR) I have vague memories of there being a preferred mix and match approach to what was classed as the perfect build with the best groupset being a mix of Shimano and Suntour but with a XT bias.

So what was it? My ageing brain seems to think you'd go XT thumbies, rear mech, and crankset, Suntour Microdrive front mech and hubs with Dia-Compe levers and canti's?

Obviously this was based on obtainable and reliable kit, not uber expensive exotica. Pretty sure it was MBUK that advocated the choices? Anyway, can anyone else correct me?

66 triumph daytona · Jan 19, 2021

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I remember they had SS7s/987s with XT thumbs cos that was what I stuck on after I read it.I forget the rest of it.

brocklanders023 · Jan 19, 2021

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Yeah, that's what I remember. Pretty sure on the mechs + hubs too.....

Hope so as I have the right parts ready for a build!

MatBH5 · Jan 19, 2021

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Can you run the Suntour cassette spacing with xt rear thumbies? Not sure whether 7-sp differed. Unless we are talking full friction.
My Orange prestige came with Xc Comp micro drive but used the Dia Compe SS7 with I think 986 cantis. So that was a mix and match, but without the xt shifting and rear mech.

brocklanders023 · Jan 19, 2021

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Hmmmm, not sure about that.....

Certainly can't remember Suntour thumbies being the choice and thinking now it must have been a Shimano hyperglide hub? :?

MatBH5 · Jan 19, 2021

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Yes, I’ve had at least one Roberts White Spider with xt hub, cassette, rear mech and shifter etc... but only the Suntour front mech.

Tootyred · Jan 20, 2021

Yes you can run 7 speed suntour xc pro thumbies with shimano mech and cogs. Ive done it on every decent bike for the last 30 years!

Xc pro are soooooo much better than xt, there's just no comparison. Xc pro stuff is why ( imo) shimano had to invent xtr.

If they hadn't confused the hell out of everybody with micodrive and wierd cassettes and hubs, they might still be about! (I know it was a lot more complicated in reality).

But sad we lost some great kit to mediocrity.

Tootyred · Jan 20, 2021

Oh and the brake levers and thumbies are lighter too.

sinnerman · Jan 20, 2021

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Bitd, i had all sorts of failures of issues with early Suntour XC pro and comp rear hubs/blocks etc.

Swapped out the hub for a shimano freehub and hyperglyde cassette, running Suntour XC Pro mech and shifters and still run the Kona like it to this day. Never failed again.

brocklanders023 · Jan 20, 2021

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Cheers all. Think I'm just going to stick with a Suntour build for now and maybe do some MBUK research.

Early 90's mix and match groupset preference?

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