Classic & Vintage - sUTEKI

I have just found a Suteki 10 gear. In great shape, just needed one cable and new tyres. But I am looking for history on this bike.
Age, company, price etc.
I did find out it was sold thru Sears..
Any info appreciated.

Dredged up this old thread as it was the only one that came up in a search on Suteki. I have one, a Track 10 model according to the cross tube markings. I don't remember buying it from Sears but that's what the owner's manual indicates. Lugged steel frame, no indication of what type of tubing, Shimano 600 derailleurs, top-mount shifters, Shimano pedals (cheap), nasty hard plastic vinyl padded seat, alloy rims with Panasport 27"x1.125" tires, 110psi, quick releases. Engraving on bars. Looks fairly well made - like a pretty good copy of a "real" road bike. Purchased early 80s from what I can recall - maybe '83? No idea of what I paid for it.

Found a picture of it on the web (http://www.touringonbikes.us/suteki.htm) - even the right color!

I swapped out the pedals, AND the seat.
I ride this bike when I need to get somewhere fast.
Compared to my hybrid this bike screams. And it is really good on hills.

You might call it a knock off brand but I don't think it is. It is very light and strong and
it has the smoothest gear change I've ever worked.
Since I only have about 60 dollars invested in it compared to what I get out of it,
transportation, leisure, exercise etc, I'd say that's a deal.

I didn't really mean knock-off as a slam on the Suteki.
I think that I will be riding mine this spring as it will be easier (and cheaper) to get this one on the road than my Raleigh Super Course - I'll probably swap the seat and the pedals 'though.

Hey, not taken as a slam.
But what does it take to be a "real road bike"?
I don't get that. Price of componets? "Name" Brand?
Though I 'm sure if it was sold thru Sears it was a low bid, certainly mass produced, unless it was just a one time thing.
But really this bike is quality made from what i can tell. Not just the smooth gears
but the crank & alloy wheels etc.
Maybe someone from Japan would be able to tell us more about it.
What I didn't tell you was I found this one at a Thrift store and I paid $40.
In great shape.

But what does it take to be a "real road bike"?
I don't get that. Price of componets? "Name" Brand?

Not sure that I can explain what I meant clearly enough.




Though I 'm sure if it was sold thru Sears it was a low bid, certainly mass produced, unless it was just a one time thing.

The Sears angle is a bit surprising.




But really this bike is quality made from what i can tell. Not just the smooth gears
but the crank & alloy wheels etc.

It does seem quite nicely made. I'll drag a scale down to the garage some day when it warms up a bit - I'm curious what it weighs in at.

I bought one about 20 yrs ago from Sears for my 15 yr old son. It cost about $170 Cdn. He rode it to death over about 10 yrs. When it was new he went on it with me to Ottawa and back. We carried our camping gear for a one week holiday.

I'll drag a scale down to the garage some day when it warms up a bit - I'm curious what it weighs in at.

Finally got around to weighing the old Suteki Track 10. Came in at 28.5 lbs complete with all reflectors and kick stand still in place!

oh yeah? well let me tell you something!

um i couldn't think of anything except i'm drunk and wanted alt to know i found him somehow. i didn't even know you rode...that's how small a town this is. it's just late and i closed the coffee shop and was looking around my old haunts on the interbot.
lo and behold, there you is. well, i know this isn't real, it's just the interbot, but i thought i'd say hello nonetheless...
hello.
rymodee

Rymodee! You crack me up! Why didn't you answer my email, did you get it?
Listen folks, for you that don't know, Rymodee wrote a novel once,
It is titled "Skinny Tires and All" About a bike trip to south Florida.

I want you to know it is the best thing I ever read, and I read a lot! Write him and ask for a copy
(hope you still have it somewhere). I kept that zine in the bathroom and read it over and over!
It is the best biking journal ever!

And yes Rymodee, I ride a lot too, my car is 3 years old and has 14000 miles on it, my bike
has millions!