Quality of Suntour Shifters?
09-05-13, 12:21 AM
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Quality of Suntour Shifters?
Hi yall, if you have had any experience or know anything of the Suntour shifters I would greatly appreciate hearing what it is you know. I'm looking at a used 2300 trek older model. I think it originally came with Shimano 600 Ultegra STI but now has 12speed downtube Suntour shifters (indexed, Accushift) Fr Der - Campagnolo. Are these any good? Thank you so much guys!
09-05-13, 02:18 AM
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The Suntours I am familiar with are a brand which used to be used to be popular on department store bicycles back in the 1980s.
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09-05-13, 02:26 AM
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In your very first post, you were seeking input on not only this Trek you are looking at, but also how it compares to modern bikes in regards to speed... if you have any aspirations about racing, downtube shifters may not be the wisest choice (for a novice).
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09-05-13, 05:08 AM
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SunTour made several fine shifters. The ratcheting bar-end shifters, or barcons, are regarded as the standard of their era. Still fine for use today. The ratcheting back (tighter) and friction forward (loosening) PowerShifters by SunTour are very fine shifters.
The Accushift line of 6- and 7-speed bar end shifters are a must if you are matching to Accushift components (derailleur and freewheel). On the downtube, I've found them to be functional and of acceptable quality, but nothing special.
SunTour also made some poorer functioning downtube shifters. The Cyclone friction shifter (with the oval hollow cutout) tend to not adjust well and either bind when they're too tight, or slip under load when they're too loose. A happy medium is almost impossible to find, in my experience.
So, the answer is...it depends. Generally, SunTour components were very well made and functioned as well as any competing brand in their era. Depending on where you are in their hierarchy, you can get anything from superb performance (
) to something utilitarian that will nonetheless serve you with honor (
).
The Accushift line of 6- and 7-speed bar end shifters are a must if you are matching to Accushift components (derailleur and freewheel). On the downtube, I've found them to be functional and of acceptable quality, but nothing special.
SunTour also made some poorer functioning downtube shifters. The Cyclone friction shifter (with the oval hollow cutout) tend to not adjust well and either bind when they're too tight, or slip under load when they're too loose. A happy medium is almost impossible to find, in my experience.
So, the answer is...it depends. Generally, SunTour components were very well made and functioned as well as any competing brand in their era. Depending on where you are in their hierarchy, you can get anything from superb performance (
) to something utilitarian that will nonetheless serve you with honor ().
09-05-13, 05:27 AM
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This is true. It takes skill, balance and nerve to use downtube shifters in a high speed group situation. They become just one more thing to worry about. It's not impossible, but it is more difficult.
09-06-13, 01:21 PM
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Suntour made good quality equipment and department store level stuff, so does Shimano and believe it or not Campagnolo.
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Webshots is bailing out, if you find any of my posts with corrupt picture files and want to see them corrected please let me know. :(
ISO: A late 1980's Giant Iguana MTB frameset (or complete bike) 23" Red with yellow graphics.
"Cycling should be a way of life, not a hobby.
RIDE, YOU FOOL, RIDE!"_Nicodemus
"Steel: nearly a thousand years of metallurgical development
Aluminum: barely a hundred
Which one would you rather have under your butt at 30mph?"_krazygluon
09-06-13, 01:39 PM
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It had STI (integrated with the brake lever) and someone swapped them for downtube shifters? Perhaps you mean SIS, which has been available as downtube shifters since the beginning of indexed shifting. I would think indexed Suntour shifters might have a problem with the Shimano components on the bike.
As said by others, Suntour made both good quality parts and department store junque, just like Shimano. If you could post a photo, we might have a better idea. If the bike is otherwise a good deal, and you want things to match, you can always swap out the shifters for a nicer set later on.
I have 2 bikes with the Suntour bar end shifters mentioned earlier, and working on a third.
As said by others, Suntour made both good quality parts and department store junque, just like Shimano. If you could post a photo, we might have a better idea. If the bike is otherwise a good deal, and you want things to match, you can always swap out the shifters for a nicer set later on.
I have 2 bikes with the Suntour bar end shifters mentioned earlier, and working on a third.
09-06-13, 01:53 PM
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Sun Tour Superbe were just that... I've been using their Ratchet-friction bar end shifters, since the 80s.
The component making game is about selling something at a number of different Price Points ,
to the companies that make the frames, and paint a Brand name on it..
The component making game is about selling something at a number of different Price Points ,
to the companies that make the frames, and paint a Brand name on it..
Last edited by fietsbob; 09-06-13 at 01:57 PM.
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