>>>>I purchased an early 80s (I think) Torpado, with a Superbe stem. The stem is anodized a sort of fuscia (sp?) color, but then covered with black paint. The paint has worn off in places that receive rubbing, exposing the pinkish/purplish/ red color below. There is a vertical slotted cutout in the bar clamp. I've never seen any Suntour stems before so I do not know if this is normal, or unique. I wonder if anyone knows the approx. year of make, the quality level, and if the black coating was original, or done after purchase.Mark Agree<<<<
Mark -
The Suntour Superbe stem you refer to is from the early eighties and was sometimes included on bikes outfitted with a Superbe group. I have one in the conventional silver anodized finished, which is the only way I've ever seen them. As well as the milled "window" in the face, mine has milled slots on the sides of the extension and a small oval "Superbe" logo on top. Very Cinelli 1A-like, but with distinctive milling. The stems are very nicely finished. I don't know who made them for Suntour, maybe Nitto, but definitely a quality stem.
Wayne Bingham
Falls Church VA