Shimano Deore "Deer Head" Question
10-13-08, 11:40 PM
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Shimano Deore "Deer Head" Question
So here's a nice and annoyingly complex question. I'm on the hunt for the Shimano Deore XT "Deer Head" (M700) front and rear derailleurs, but in the larger sizes (as in SP "Super Plate" rear and the GS front). Does anyone know what manufactures/models carried this component set in the 1980s? I believe the Stumpjumper Team did, but I'm hoping to discover the names of some other bikes which also did so I can keep my eyes on Craigslist, etc. Thanks for the Help!
10-14-08, 04:05 AM
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Not sure of the specific models (how do you tell?) but my 86 Rockhopper has the Deerhead F&R DER's.
10-14-08, 05:50 AM
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My 1984 Counterpoint Opus II came with that rear derailleur... actually, two of 'em, since it has two rear derailleurs; one's the super-plate model, the other's more conventional. Front derailleur is a Suntour LeTech.
Good luck finding an Opus II on Craigslist, though!
Are these highly sought after derailleurs? I used to use Suntour Cyclones, which had the advantage of... well, you know, shifting pretty well... and am finding this old Shimano stuff is pretty hard to deal with.
Good luck finding an Opus II on Craigslist, though!
Are these highly sought after derailleurs? I used to use Suntour Cyclones, which had the advantage of... well, you know, shifting pretty well... and am finding this old Shimano stuff is pretty hard to deal with.
05-09-11, 08:35 PM
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I found this Deore Super Plate in my bag of deraillieurs. Decided to clean and lube it, shifts nice (old thread gets new life with a picture):
Last edited by Mr IGH; 05-09-11 at 08:40 PM.
05-09-11, 09:06 PM
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Just sold one of the super plate RDs. It was on my Specialized Expedition from the mid-80s. Seemed to work well, I just didn't have a need for it, having replaced it with a more modern RD.
11-18-11, 04:27 PM
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The Superplate shifted extremely well... the issue was that they did not shift well for a long time and wore our prematurely and were the last friction derailleurs Shimano produced before everything went to SIS.
The conventional version is a fairly standard derailleur and is far more robust.
The conventional version is a fairly standard derailleur and is far more robust.
11-18-11, 04:49 PM
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Well, they had/have a much better reputaion than SunTour's MounTech of the same era. They were spec'd on some grand touring models like the 1985/86 Miyata 1000. I've got a low mileage one, with the orignal box.
11-18-11, 05:02 PM
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Both "Super Plate" and "Mountech" were implementations of Huret's "Duopar" design. The Duopar is a remarkably good wide-range derailleur, but it was too fragile for mountain bike use, which at that time was a rapidly expanding market. Both Shimano and SunTour tried to shield the vertical travel mechanism to make this innovation work for mountain bike use, but the results were less than satisfactory. Once debris worked its way into the vertical travel mechanism, shifting degraded and the shielding prevented effective cleaning of the mechanism.
11-19-11, 08:30 AM
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BTW, the upper jockey wheel/pivot can be removed and serviced, not worth the $$ for an LBS to do, but then again, I patch tubes. That'll give it plenty of life, worth it for the cool looks and great shifting...after all, this is C&V
11-19-11, 04:29 PM
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Does anyone realize this thread is 3 years old? Well, at any rate, this derailleur came stock on my 85 Bridgestone T700 and it shifts like butter.
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03-09-20, 06:56 PM
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Resurrect the Super Plate!
The Super Plate derailleur came stock on my 1985.5 Miyata Ridge Runner SE (ATB) and it still works (but is a bit slow).
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03-09-20, 08:51 PM
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Let me check I may have a 83/84 FD in my parts box that came off Stumpy in my parts box plating a bit rough but clean and functional with almost no wear. I will get back to you in a day or so things are busy right now.
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03-10-20, 01:02 AM
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No need. 12 year old zombie thread!
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03-11-20, 04:13 PM
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Maybe he's been waiting 12 years for that right RD to come along... Personally- I hope he threw on an MT-60 Deore on it and is still dominating with it.
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03-13-20, 11:20 AM
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