Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 23,645
Likes: 1,109
From: Mans of NC & SW UT Desert
Bikes: 86 Katakura Silk, 87 Prologue X2, 88 Cimarron LE, 1975 Sekai 4000 Professional, 73 Paramount, plus more
Supply and demand rules. Lots of Suntour stuff out there, so it is pretty cheap. Note the high end Suntour stuff is starting to creep up in price.
Same with bikes, there is almost an endless supply of Japanese vintage bikes out there. Of course, most of the brands had full product lines from low end junk to sweet high end stuff.
I really like the compatibility factor of the Japanese bikes, really easy to swap parts from bike to bike. Yes, I have a handful of french bikes and Italian bikes as well.
My favorite right now? My 1987 Schwinn Prologue, made in Japan by Panasonic, Tange Prestige frameset, currently sporting nine speed Dura Ace STI (Ultegra wheelset). Collectible? Probably. Functional? You bet.
And what did I take on my last vacation? My 1989 Univega Alpina Pro MTB, made in Taiwan, cost me all of $40. Collectible? Nope. Functional? You bet.