Garth and other Suntour fans,
I just put a batch of Suntour literature on Ebay. If interested see: ebay item number 1056717294
Jim Cunningham Vista, CA
-----Original Message----- From: classicrendezvous-admin@bikelist.org [mailto:classicrendezvous-admin@bikelist.org]On Behalf Of garth libre Sent: Sunday, December 30, 2001 2:51 PM To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org Subject: [CR]Suntour Superbe and Cyclone
I still have not received my Christmas copy of "The Dancing Chain", ( late mail delivery), but I can speak from experience about some of these Cyclone and Superbe parts. If first generation Superpe stretches to 1980 then I can say that this stuff was durable and classically elegant. The brakes in particular had a feel of precision and had good feel and a nice cone shaped center nut coming nearly to a point that was real eye candy. The Cyclone derailleur was probably not as high quality as Superbe of the same vintage, but it was a definite step down in stylish looks from Superbe. The later Superbe gruppo which I currently own (mid 80's) is of the highest quality in most regards but has excellent modern styling which is museum of modern art worthy. Strangely, my Superbe gruppo came with Cyclone black cage pedals and Cyclone exemplifies straight forward, almost pedestrian styling combined with mechanical quality. Perhaps the Superbe gruppo circa 1985 did not include a pedal and the Cyclone was the only option.
Suntour Arx of the early 80's was the low quality, high style, dependable function for two years type of derailleur that the company offered. I went through two rear derailleurs (one 1980, and one 1983) both ARX's in a period of high mileage. They worked well and then would crap out, but could be replaced from Nashbar for $20 or so. Superbe holds up well unlike ARX. Suntour Cyclone rear derailleurs seem to have the same straightforward look as the Blue Line rear. To me the Cyclone looks like a Black Line gruppo. Garth Libre in Surfside Fl