Re: [CR]RE; Suntour History

(Example: Framebuilders:Brian Baylis)

From: "Stephen Barner" <steve@sburl.com>
To: <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
References: <CATFOODdl1eCsgTG9Lb00000205@catfood.nt.phred.org>
Subject: Re: [CR]RE; Suntour History
Date: Wed, 10 Mar 2004 21:11:26 -0500
cc: Bikerdaver@aol.com

Just one other thing, Dave. It may have just been my experience, but I would rate the lesser expensive alloy SunTour rear changers as being the fastest wearing derailleurs I knew of, with Shimano a fairly close second. Huret derailleurs would last much longer, shifting terribly throughout their life. Also, the SunTour rear changers seemed to be the most fragile, often snapping off when the bike was dropped on its right side. Shimanos would do this with a bit harder bump. Huret derailleurs would just bend in, ready to go into the spokes and trash the changer, wheel and maybe even the dropout on the next shift into first gear. Obviously, this made the French changer far superior to the Japanese ones, even though the SunTour and Shimano units set a new standard for shifting. It was so annoying to have some dweeb claim that his V-GT derailleur shifted better than your Nuovo Record and secretly know the jerk was right.

I once saw a Raleigh get sold on a Friday and come back on Monday with the SunTour front cage worn through by the chain.

Steve Barner, Bolton, Vermont


----- Original Message -----


> Date: Tue, 9 Mar 2004 22:14:29 EST
> From: Bikerdaver@aol.com
> To: Huemax@aol.com, OROBOYZ@aol.com, Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Subject: Re: [CR]RE; Suntour History
>
> Ken-
> Where is Frank Berto when you need him? Let me do my best to answer this one
> for you.
> These hit the states ca.1970ish:
> (put the label "GT" behind these names to signify the long cage versions)
>
> "Seven" Steel slant parallelogram at a whopping $7
>
> "Honor" Steel slant parallelogram at a whopping $8, I don't know difference
> from "Seven"
>
> 71ish; Vx -Suntour's first "Pro" AL-alloy slant parallelogram at a whopping
> $12! IMHO, the standard by which all non-indexed derailluers can be judged.
>
> 78ish; Cyclone, very light weight AL-alloy slant parallelogram, predecessor
> to Superbe model. (expected to compete with Campy SR and Dura Ace). First of
> Japanese or Italian makes to come with ball bearings in pulley wheels.
>
> 81ish; Cyclone Mark II, AL-alloy slant parallelogram touring/interesting
> cable clamp model
>
> 80ish; Blue Line very similar, yet less expensive finish to Cyclone, AL-alloy
> slant parallelogram (expected to compete with Shimano 600, maybe
> victory/triomphe)
>
> 82ish; Superbe, very light weight AL-alloy slant parallelogram marketed as
> OEM for Pro bikes (expected to compete with Campy and Dura-Ace, but never
> captured significant market share)
>
> 84ish; Superbe Pro, light weight AL-alloy slant parallelogram Pro model,
> actually a few grams heavier than original Cyclone/Superbe models. Ran a VERY
> distant third to Campy and Dura-Ace.
>
> I would only add that most anybody you talk to that had experience with the
> Vx, Cyclone, Superbe models, would say that these are well built, well designed
> models second to none of their contemporaries, Cheers-
> Dave Anderson
> Cut Bank MT
>
> In a message dated 3/9/2004 5:45:08 PM PST, Huemax@aol.com writes:
> Hi, members,
> Is there any one who can help me identify model names and timelines
> for Suntour components, mainly derailluers?
> I know Cyclone was born in mid 70's, then Cyclone-II, Superbe, Superbe-Pro.
> But some model looks exactly same from Cyclone to Superbe. And what
> about "Blue lines" and Vx stuff?
> Thanks in advance!
> KEN TODA, High Point, NC, rain, cold, it might turn into snow again!