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The Catalog of Reminiscence

The Invitation for Cycling by Mr.Gami

Part 72: Suntour in 1983




Here is the catalog of Suntour in 1983. The red triangular symbol mark which had appeared in 1981 is so vivid. It symbolized below.

1. The triangle expressed stability and precision and reliability.
2. Two lines expressed ascending current.
3. The red triangle and black logo expressed the sun and passion and challenge.


The various new products such as Superbe-pro second generation derailleur, sealed bearing hub and BB, top mounting gear shifter, the early group-set of MTB, and group-set of BMX were introduced in the catalog.
Moreover, the catalog explained about the several kinds of maintenance because the catalog was printed for bicycle shop. It must be useful for those who have used Suntour parts even now.

Then enjoy the 36 pages catalog including the front cover. I added large photograph for several pages.




Here is the front cover. The design which arranged the symbol mark effectively was simple.





These were the table of contents about the character of Suntour which was commented in the following page. Some of parts developed into the present parts. The other parts disappeared shortly.





Through seven pages from here, the catalog explained about the trait which Suntour was proud of, in detail. This page was introducing slant pantograph, straight wire, tension adjuster, direct-pull-wire which was the character of newer Superbe Tech, pulley self positioning system, sealed mechanism.







Micro-light aerodynamic form and Compact cage were the competing products of the Simano AX.





The endless cramp of the front derailleur could be fixed beautifully. However, it was slightly difficult to attach on the tube.





The self-adjust system of the Top-mounted gear sifter synchronized the front derailleur and the rear derailleur. It adjusted the front wire delicately according to the movement of the rear gear shifter so that the blade of front derailleur didn't touch chain.





The explanation in the page is almost same as previous year.





New winner could adjust to the regular size 5 and 6-speed and the ultra size 6 and 7-speed with one body.





As for Mighty click system, it inserted the index system in the gear shift lever, and also attached the wire saver system to the derailleur. It implemented a precise shifting, and a pre-shifting under suspension. It was produced for beginner. I was sorry that this system remained for beginners, though Shimano had made SIS (Shimano index system) later and promoted it.





Superbe Pro was one of the two greatest products as a racing group-set along with Shimano Dura-ace. In this year, rear derailleur and gear shifter and hub became second generation models.
The rear derailleur was changed drastically, had become Micro-light-design as well as Cyclone mark II. However, the weight increased from 169 grams to 186 grams. Hub was equipped with a sealed bearing system.
Large image of left side.






The track-racing hub was equipped with the sealed bearing system, too. It was hole-less flange type. The sealed bearing pulley which was attached to rear derailleur in the previous page was sold as a single item. However, the price was expensive, 3, 250 yen.





This was Superbe without "Pro". It became second generation model as well as Superbe Pro. But this model was lighter than Pro. Sealed BB had Superbe-taper; it was made of full aluminum as a lightweight model.
Large image of left side.






This was same with previous year.




The new model Superbe Tech had a device which could manipulate the gear shifter by two cams which was put in the gear shifter body which was sealed perfectly. Suntour had announced it was maintenance free. However, it was ended as a short-life product.




BL derailleur was announced in 1981 with the catchphrase "the new model for touring from now". It was superior model of ARX and Road Vx. The blue fancy panel was put on the part of the pantograph and it was accent of design. This model was short-life product, too. However, it had been used for middle grade sports bicycle.
ARX was inferior model of Cyclone mark II.




Vx was also used for middle grade sports bicycle. It seemed to be a direct descendant model of V-luxe of 70s. Though it was reasonable model, the function was not bad, rather easy to use.
The pedal and hub were added from this year. I think those were the OEM products of Sanshin gyro-master (hub) and Mikashima Sylvan (pedal).




As for the sealed bearing BB in this page, the taper of shaft was Vx type.




Through 2 page from here, the catalog introduced several kinds of freewheel, such as Micro-light which was made of aluminum, New-winner which was compatible with 5-6-7 speeds, and Perfect 6 speeds. Even now, we can see Micro-light and New-winner on the internet auction. I myself used to select Suntour in the past.
Large image of left side.





Pro-compe which had gold plating, traditional model Perfect, two kinds of the chain, and several kinds of spoke disc were introduced in this page.




These were derailleurs of standard type. Compe-V and Spurt were still in the lineup. However, the band became a hinge type.




These are gear shifters and hubs. Ratchet built-in bar end controller and PDL used to have good reputation because of light pull.




Trimec and Mighty-click and CAP were equipped with the wire saver system which could save the wire even if the gear shifter was pulled during a stop.




These are several kinds of fork end and accessories.




Here are Dirt components which were produced for first generation MTB. I'm sorry because I hadn't seen it.




BMX group-set were introduced through 2 pages from here. The colorful anodizing was characteristic of America.




The pedal was almost same structure as Superbe Pro. But it was double-sided model.




The introduction of several tools and the comments about maintenance were continuing through nine pages from here. I still have freewheel extractor, wire cutter, and New-winner adjustment spanner.
Large image of left side.










Large image of left side.





Large image of left side.





Large image of left side.













Large image of left side.





This is the back cover.

Large image of left side.







inserted by FC2 system