The 70's Superior is the Sport Tourer renamed. It has a Suntour rear derailleur and no kickstand. Probably made for only a year or two. 1976-77.
With the kickstand removed, a Sport Tourer weighs 26 or 27 lbs. The frame is incredibly stout and was a good off the shelf choice for expedition touring. 42" wheelbase!
I have a soft spot for these (for no particularly good reason) and chose to ride one from Burlington Vermont to Perce on the Gaspe Peninsula. Smooth and comfortable. Whats a pound or two when you only have about 1000 hills to climb. Ha.
Joe Bender-Zanoni Great Notch, NJ
Joe Bender-Zanoni
Great Notch, NJ
> There's been discussion of "Super Sports and Sports Tourers were made of
seamless drawn chrome-moly tubing and fillet-brazed by hand in the Paramount
shop. They can also be had for dirt cheap (if you can find one), ride
beautifully, frame strength goes without saying, look nice, and Made in
USA..." with mention of the <snip> "Super Sport, a Sports Tourer, and a '78
Superior."
>
> I don't know the 70s Superiors, but perhaps a couple of observations and
questions on the others may be helpful.
>
> The "killer" difference between the Super Sport and the Sports Tourer was
the bottome bracket. SS had Ashtabula, ST had 3-piece; I think I remember
both TA and Nervar alternatives. Q: My memory was that the SS had a higher
grade Ashtabula than the lower Continental/Varsity "gang." Had a different
look and feel, if I recall correctly. Of course, there were BMX-derived
conversion kits that kept the huge bearings (and easy adjustment) of the
Ashtabula BB, while enabling use of proper cranks and chainrings...Probably
still available.
>
> The other note/question is about weight. I have always had the impression
that these models were still notably heavier than the competition, even
after the bike was "enlightened" by removing the kid-proof integrated steel
kick stand. Or was this my prejudice?
>
> harvey sachs
> mcLean va
> whose buddy gave his SuperSport to Pedals for Progress, a great cause,
before I could grab it...