Here is the catalog of Suntour in 1988. This year, Suntour became a sponsor of European professional team SMM/LA SUISSE, had made debut at professional road-racing with Superbe Pro. In Tour de France of this year, Steve Bauer who was a team ace put on Maillot Jaune at five stages, had appealed to the market for Suntour.
However, the difference with Shimano had expanded in all aspect such as development power, productive capacity, and sales force. Moreover, Yen shock which was caused by Plaza agreement in 1985 had hit Suntour directly.
And Suntour suffered from the parts supply of low price bicycle. Especially the market share of Suntour in US had gone down.

There is a detailed explanation in the website below. (Note: Dead link/ July 20. 2014)

Sunset for SunTour


The catalog was offered by Mr. D. T.

This is the front cover and the back cover. Steve Bauer in the "Ravi Clair" era had appeared on the right side of the page. By the way, a number of cyclists must have remembered the Bernard Hinault when they heard "Ravi Clair".

This is the article about the sponsorship of SMM/LA SUISSE.

ACCUSHIFT was an indexed shifting system which was produced in 1987 to compete with Shimano SIS. The concept was same. However, the presence of ultra size freewheel which was sold in market in advance to the other company made misfortune conversely. Suntour had to adjust it to the index mode of the 7-speed Ultra freewheel, the 5/6-speed regular freewheel, and the friction mode.

Superbe Pro was one of the highest grade domestic racing group-sets along with Shimano Dura-ace. In the 1987, the spring was attached in the upper pivot of the rear derailleur which was equipped with ACCUSHIFT. Therefore the derailleur became formally double tension system as well as Shimano.
The front derailleur provided a sharp-sifting performance by heat-treated plate.
The brake body was a spring built-in type.

Large image of right side.

Superbe Pro had popularity even now, seems to get steady price in the online auction. Especially as for the function and quality of rotation system, it had gotten high evaluation.
7-speed freewheel of Ultra size was announced in 1980 as first 7-speed model in the world.

Large image of right side.

Sprint 9000 was an inferior model of Superbe Pro. The function was same as Superbe Pro. However, it was sold for low price by cost reduction of several parts. It was same grade as Shimano 600 Ultegra of those days.

Large image of right side.

The hub was equipped with the sealed-bearing system. Suntour of those days was eager in adopting sealed-bearing system to the rotation parts.

Large image of right side.

Cyclone 700 was an inferior model of Sprint 9000. The name "Cyclone" was given to the highest grade derailleur which was introduced in 1973. Especially the rear derailleur was smaller and lighter than the other model.

Large image of right side.

The MTB parts were introduced from this page. The highest grade model XC 9000 appeared first. Centre-pull brake was a trait of those days. Sifter was an index type. However, it was still single lever.

Large image of right side.

The pedal had a same body as Superbe Pro which attached the exclusive plates. Sprocket was not a cassette type yet.

Large image of right side.

XC Sport 7000 was a second grade model.

Large image of right side.

XCD 6000 was a regular model.

Large image of right side.