I'm building up a mid-1980s Gazelle Champion Mondial, AB frame.
Not a bad problem to have, but stalling on build components.
It's going to be my 'good' bike - not going to be too precious about it - intend to ride the thing, but won't be commuting with it. So needs to perform well and not be a wall display bike. Don't race, but join brisk group rides on occasion.
I accumulated sufficient components to have option of giving it a modern build, or more 'period' build (not actually period, but early 90s)
Both will involve going from 126 --> 130mm dropouts.
Can't decide which to go with - parts listed below - thoughts appreciated
'Modern' option
- 105 11 speed hubs on Open Elite rims (not running 11 speed, but kind of makes sense to build a future-proof-ish wheel set if building from scratch)
- 105 10 speed brifters - used
- 105 10 speed front and rear mechs- used
- 10 speed cassette
- Stronglight Impact crank - used but shiny
- Brakes undecided
'Period' option - 105 'champagne' group - some NOS/some used
- 105 (1055/1056) NOS 8 speed hubs (quite pleased with these!) (1055/1056) on Open Elite rims
- 105 NOS Aero levers (1055) (white hoods - almost too much sexiness!)
- 105 (1056) used crank, front and rear mech
- 105 (1055) used brakes
- Dia-Compe bar end shifters
- 8 or 9 speed cassette
Only attraction of the 'modern' set up is 11 speed wheels which may be of use to me in the future. But having them would throw spanner in idea of having a whole vintage group set, so I might as well save the champagne 105 group for a different day.
On other hand, part of me thinks just use the champagne 8speed group - it's functionally as good as the modern 10 speed bits and no heavier, and the idea of 'future proofing' for 11 speed may prove fruitless anyway for many as Shimano accelerates the move to 12 speed, 135mm+ dropouts and discs.
One option is a mix - tempted to use the aero levers and bar end shifters (love friction shifting!) with the modern wheels and chain set.
Cheers for any input!
Sb
Not a bad problem to have, but stalling on build components.
It's going to be my 'good' bike - not going to be too precious about it - intend to ride the thing, but won't be commuting with it. So needs to perform well and not be a wall display bike. Don't race, but join brisk group rides on occasion.
I accumulated sufficient components to have option of giving it a modern build, or more 'period' build (not actually period, but early 90s)
Both will involve going from 126 --> 130mm dropouts.
Can't decide which to go with - parts listed below - thoughts appreciated
'Modern' option
- 105 11 speed hubs on Open Elite rims (not running 11 speed, but kind of makes sense to build a future-proof-ish wheel set if building from scratch)
- 105 10 speed brifters - used
- 105 10 speed front and rear mechs- used
- 10 speed cassette
- Stronglight Impact crank - used but shiny
- Brakes undecided
'Period' option - 105 'champagne' group - some NOS/some used
- 105 (1055/1056) NOS 8 speed hubs (quite pleased with these!) (1055/1056) on Open Elite rims
- 105 NOS Aero levers (1055) (white hoods - almost too much sexiness!)
- 105 (1056) used crank, front and rear mech
- 105 (1055) used brakes
- Dia-Compe bar end shifters
- 8 or 9 speed cassette
Only attraction of the 'modern' set up is 11 speed wheels which may be of use to me in the future. But having them would throw spanner in idea of having a whole vintage group set, so I might as well save the champagne 105 group for a different day.
On other hand, part of me thinks just use the champagne 8speed group - it's functionally as good as the modern 10 speed bits and no heavier, and the idea of 'future proofing' for 11 speed may prove fruitless anyway for many as Shimano accelerates the move to 12 speed, 135mm+ dropouts and discs.
One option is a mix - tempted to use the aero levers and bar end shifters (love friction shifting!) with the modern wheels and chain set.
Cheers for any input!
Sb
Its inkeeping with the retro look and feel of the frame. It also sounds like your a fairly fit rider so whats the need for 3 extra gears 
