kalash74

My dad bought this bike for me when I was teenager in the early 1990s. I'm guessing it's circa 1991-92. It has Suntour components, Sakae handlebars, etc. I listed it on ebay and locally but haven't had much luck. Do you think the hubs are worthwhile to re-use for my 650B touring/commuter project? Were Suntour components around this time period of good quaity? I rode the bike only a handful of times. It's really in like-new condition.

Here are some pics:

bikemig 

It's a fine bike. If you haven't had much luck selling it, it's probably because you priced it too high. I'd sell it rather than cut out the hubs for a new wheel build. Those are very good quality rims.

mstateglfr 

Sell it.
Keeping it for parts means you are keeping a mediocre group from a defunct component maker. I love me some SunTour, but Blaze isnt something I would hold onto for a build.

I would think that would sell around me for $100-200 in current condition and $170-240 fully refurbished. Pretty wide ranges, and the higher side of those ranges would be with the bike sitting for maybe a month waiting for the exact right buyer(desperate or ignorant of actual cost) as I dont think many knowledgeable buyers would want to pay $200 since itll take a lot to get it into updated riding shape.

MRT2

That bike looks like it would clean up into a nice commuter for some college kid, but I agree with others that as it sits, it isn't worth a whole lot of money. About 10 years ago, I bought a used Schwinn Le Tour Luxe for $70. My LBS basically tore that thing apart and gave it a full overhaul, but with new parts, I was in over $200. And that is fine. I expected a 23 year old bike might need new tires, tubes, brake pads, freewheel, chain and bar tape, and I also bought a new computer and seatbag so a bunch of parts, and labor for the overhaul. And I was fortunate because most of the bike was pretty solid. I was fine with that as I only paid $70 for the bike, so a nice, old school bike for $270.

But if I had to pay much more for the bike itself, it would not have made any sense economically.

So in a nutshell, it isn't worth a whole lot either way. You could just donate it to a bike co op if you think it isn't worth your time trying to sell it.

plonz 

Agreed with all the above. Easy to see where one would get the idea for this price though when there's a Sirrus frameset on eBay for $150. Looks like a case of the listings creeping up on eBay and next thing you know everyone's trying to offload a $400 Sirrus but none are selling.

kalash74

Any reason why I wouldn't use the hubs? If I can only get $200 max for the bike, does it make sense to sell it? How much would a decent pair of hubs cost me?

bikemig 

A lot less than $200 and you get new hubs.

DMC707

Gift from my dad 25 years ago? I'd keep it as is and ride it occasionally

You can cut out the hubs and destroy a good pair of wheels if you want, or you can ebay a decent set for 50 bucks --- Shimano 105 Hubset Road 100mm 130mm 32 Hole Used Nice Shape FH 5501 | eBay

Vintage Shimano Deore MT60 QR Hubset Hubs 36 36h HG 7 Speed 135mm MTB | eBay



Being Suntour, do you know if those hubs are freewheel or not? They might not be what you want anyway

kalash74

Yes, they are freewheel. Kind of How do you think the quality compares to those you linked on ebay?

I don't have any sentimental attachment to the bike. My dad is all for selling it. I rode the bike maybe 5 times if even that. The hubs are in perfect shape.

The basic issue with the bike is that I want fat tires and the frame is a bit too big for me. I can only fit 32-622 max in the there, and that's pushing it. (Hence my interest in 650B). Would it be possible to just transfer all the components to another frameset? Or does that not make sense at all?

Out of curiosity, how would the quality of the hubs on my bike compare to these
Grand Cru High Flange Freewheel Rear Hub 130mm - Hubs - Wheels, Rims, Hubs & Accessories - Components

I don't know anything about modern components, but I guess freewheels look more classic/vintage?

r0ckh0und 

Suntour hubs from that era can be difficult to service, rebuild or remove "freewheels". They have some design flaws.

kalash74

Any idea what hubs I might have? Hard to find any markings on them other than Suntour and "Madae made in Japan."

Why do you say they are difficult to service? Don't I just need a freewheel tool?

The Golden Boy 

What's wrong/different about Suntour hubs from around 1990?

r0ckh0und 

Can you post a pic of the hub?

The Suntour freehubs from that era are not removeable like the Shimano

I tried removing a freewheel the other night and it has notches but appears to be pressed into the hub somehow....it moves but it does not loosen.

That's just my experience.......so ya, maybe I'm doing wrong.

The Golden Boy 

My guess is they're Blaze level hubs.

At the bottom of the page:





And you can see the Blaze nomenclature and where it sat in the hierarchy. Again, it's not bad stuff- it's just not 'the good stuff.'





Superbe Pro and Sprint 9000 are the prime pieces. XC Pro and XC Comp are the MTB/ATB equivalents. Really, REALLY good stuff. To me, GPX and up are seriously quality pieces.

I believe Accushift 6 sp is about as reliable as SIS 6 sp- using modern housing and cables. 7-8 sp... I have no experience with-