Advice on groupset for a 90s audax frame

[Aaron76]

Hi all,
I'm looking for some advice for a 1990s Dave Yates audax/light touring frame. I'd welcome any advice as to which groupset to consider for this 7-speed frame (or at least that's how the last owner had it). They also fitted black Deore LX (which I think is similar to what Dawes Super Galaxies were fitted with back then), but would a Shimano 105 of similar era be just as good? Or even Tri-colour 600? The bike is fitted with canti-brakes, I'm not sure whether to stick with these or fit v-brakes.

Open to any suggestions or advice. The bike will be used as a bit of a multi-purpose do everything bike, with rear panniers and general touring bits and bobs.

Thanks for any recommendations.

Best regards,
Aaron

 

[Jameshow]

Sounds more like a heavy touring bike with canti brakes.

I'd recommend a deore xt groupset triple chainset would be ideal for loaded touring.

But if wanting a audax bike (apart from the brakes) then a nice campy ergo groupset or older 105 / ultegra would be nice. Just remember at that age you'll have washing lines.👍

 

[C R]

Hi all,
I'm looking for some advice for a 1990s Dave Yates audax/light touring frame. I'd welcome any advice as to which groupset to consider for this 7-speed frame (or at least that's how the last owner had it). They also fitted black Deore LX (which I think is similar to what Dawes Super Galaxies were fitted with back then), but would a Shimano 105 of similar era be just as good? Or even Tri-colour 600? The bike is fitted with canti-brakes, I'm not sure whether to stick with these or fit v-brakes.

Open to any suggestions or advice. The bike will be used as a bit of a multi-purpose do everything bike, with rear panniers and general touring bits and bobs.

Thanks for any recommendations.

Best regards,
Aaron

Something to keep in mind about the brakes. Vs are not suitable for use with road brake levers, as the cable pull of road levers is not enough for Vs. If you want to move away from cantis you would need to look for mini Vs, which are pull compatible with cantis.

 

[KneesUp]

I have a bike that sounds similar-ish: steel, drop bar, mounts for a rack at the rear and mid fork eyelets on the front, cantis … I’m not sure on the age of mine (or if its even the bike it is stickered as to be honest)

As CR has said, v brakes and drop bar levers are difficult - as far as I know there are no integrated brake/shifters that are drop bar and have linear pull to work with Vs. You could use Travel Agent adaptors but they seem a bit of a faff. I e stuck with cantis. Good pads make a world of difference.

I’ve gone 3x10 with mine. My frame was already re-spaced but it’s easy enough to do. There is no reason to go for an “age appropriate” group set from a practical point of view. The older the group set you use the more annoying it will be trying to find replacements when you need them, surely?

 

[Dogtrousers]

What is the spacing of the rear dropout? Can you mount an 8 speed cassette? Or as @KneesUp suggests 10s

This will give you better choice of gearing.

What kind of gear shifting do you want. Friction (either down tube or bar end) would be easiest and least faff.

If the dropout is less than 130mm (I think. I often get these numbers wrong) and/or has horizontal dropouts then the faff levels for getting indexed gears to work start to increase.

Also what size wheel rim is it ? Is it modern 622mm or 27" which I think is 630mm