Shimano m730 black

[BlackCat]

Is it just me or does the black flavour of m730 seem rare as hen’s teeth versus the silver? I’ve been holding out for a chainset and hubs for ages and they appear so infrequently - and usually completely knackered.

Anyone know if they were produced in a much lower volume than silver or what the general story is in terms of availability for what was a fairly ubiquitous group set?

 

[hamster]

I think it was specced extremely rarely on production bikes at the time, probably only really available aftermarket.

 

[BlackCat]

Seems to trade at huge premium over silver, when it even appears.

The last NOS c/set I saw traded at over £350 in the US.

 

[troje]

I even wonder if they Shimano made black M730/5 available in retail back then.

I believe that Koga Miyata managed to equip their bikes with black XT as they had a special relation with Shimano at that time.

Edit
They were the importer for Shimano for a while, that should have helped.

 

[BlackCat]

That’s useful info. Gives me another search stream. Thanks!

 

[Once A Hero]

1990 Saracens had it - along with DX in black too, so they are a good source. Also Carreras of the time. May have been a special deal with those marks.

Never seen a groupset shot with all the black components.

 

[BlackCat]

Must have been pretty much top of the line Saracens. Bit hazy on the brand… Killi Flyer, maybe?

 

[BlackCat]

Yep… ‘91 Kili Flyer… referred to by the catalogue as “special black finish”..

Thanks for the tip.

 

[Dr Dremel]

When I wanted a set in ´88 (still biopace) I was told by the LBS the waiting time was 6 months - so silver it was Really envied my father with his Bridgestone MB 1, but it still had no black hubs, just chainset and cantilevers.

 

[BlackCat]

Ha. That news bodes ill for my proposed build..