Superbe vs. Superbe Pro? Which should I use?
 

Good morning!

So I'm getting ready to sell a bike that I built with a 1987 7-speed full Superbe Pro group (including those fancy hidden-spring calipers). I also have a Miyata Pro that I just restored which has a full Superbe group and Dia-Compe brakes. A good buddy of mine (we won't mention Keith's name here) suggested that before I sell the other bike, I rob the Superbe Pro group and put it on my Miyata that I'm going to keep because it's likely better than the earlier Superbe. I'd also swap the brakes and keep the hidden-spring calipers on the Miyata as well. The Miyata won't be "original" anymore, but do I care? I'd like to keep the best components and my thinking is that it won't really affect the sale price of the other bike all that much. I'd just hate to see a Superbe Pro group go because I played hell trying to find it.

So, should I keep the Miyata as-is and leave the Superbe on it or should I swap all the components and keep the Superbe Pro 7-speed group instead? It's a few hours of work, but I think there are worse dilemmas a man can have in his life :)

This isn't really a situation where photos are required, but why not?

Miyata:

http://collinsacks.smugmug.com/photo...29_tknhp-L.jpg

Lejeune that's being sold:

http://collinsacks.smugmug.com/photo...65_44Ti2-L.jpg

Cheers,

-Collin-

Superbe Pro on your rider, unless you are trying to make the buyer of a mid-level bike extremely happy.

If it's not OEM, always keep and ride your best stuff, unless you're actually being paid to install your best stuff.

I'm inclined to agree, Robbie. I just wondered how much difference there *actually* was between the two. Maybe it's all in my head, but the Pro just shifts smoother. It could be because I have a lousy chain on the Superbe bike, but I also like the look of the Superbe Pro. The indexing sucks, but it's nice to have that feature if need be. All right, I guess I have my work cut out for me :)

-Collin-

+1 Definitely keep the Superbe Pro group. The brakes are an upgrade to the Superbe/Dia Compe calipers. The latter 'Pro' crank should be 130mm BCD which means chainring replacement is possible. The indexing RD isn't as pretty as the friction version IMHO, but at least it can index if desired.

+1 To Robbie's comment. That Superbe Pro stuff will become a donation to whoever buys the bike. Swap it out and enjoy it yourself. I have been swapping out a Superbe Pro wheelset from bike to bike for a few years now.

Gee Collin...just like *I* said...who's idea was this again? :)

Keep the Pro.

You won't get any extra selling that French thing with the Superbe parts, and it won't be a show-stopper for the buyer if it isn't there. Essentially, if you leave the Superbe parts on the bike you're selling, you giving them away free-for-nothing.

Leave the gun, take the cannoli's.

I'm going to offer a different approach than any suggested thus far...

Strip the lejune, sell the frame. Keep the parts (the pro) for a different bike OR sell them. Keep the Miyata pro stock. That's a very nea bike and I'd keep it original. I don't think the practical performance upgrade is that substantial and I don't think adding pro to it increases its value.

I like the look of Superbe over Superbe Pro. Even more important and I think that others on BF have mentioned this at times, the Superbe Pro FD is too narrow, making it hard to get a nice shift without rubbing afterwards.

My point to Collin when we were discussing this after I forced him to get the Miyata Pro :) was that he simply can't let the Superbe Pro group go on that frame. I like either idea, strip the frame keep the group, swap the Pro group to the Miyata, keep the Superbe. Either way I agree with BBM...there just isn't a value add with either group on the frame.

Ya know, one day I'll get tired of hearing this - but today's not that day. :D

Nice...
I think I remember that scene.

Absolutely and 100% agree. Those parts are overkill and giveaways with that frame...from either group. I personally prefer either keeping something stock or upgrading it substantially. I don't think the jump from superbe to superbe pro is worth the time and energy, or the usage of more valuable parts. If I were changing out the group entirely, it would be to upgrade it to modern Campy. Otherwise, leave the top line stuff already there and keep it original.

That Superbe Pro group can either find its way onto another of your bikes down the road or get sold for a lot more overall than it would have gotten dressing that Lejeun.

Let me refresh your memory. :)

Absolutely.

I bought a garage sale Miyata 912 that had a Superbe crankset on it. I replaced it with a parts-bin Shimano 600 to match the rest of the group, and sold the bike for $350. I sold the crankset on eBay for $137.

The bike would not have sold for a penny more just because it had a Superbe crankset on it.

All right, very good thoughts here. Either way, the Superbe Pro groupset is not getting sold with the Lejeune. Now, what remains to be sorted out is whether I leave a Superbe group on it at all. Hell, I may as well keep it and throw whatever I can find on there. If it's a difference of $50 in the actual/final sale, then I'm not letting that group go. I guess I will look for some other Suntour stuff in my parts bin :)

On the same token, the Miyata won't be original anymore. I don't think I'm worried about that, though. It's not like it's a 3Rensho or something crazy that has to be part-for-part stock. It's my rider that I take out when I'm worried about another bike getting stolen and to make beer runs :)

Either way, I appreciate the insight. Can't believe I almost sold the Lejeune with a complete Superbe Pro groupset! That was a close call.

-Collin-

Why not buy a ARX group, put it on the Lejeune, and keep both Superbe groups yourself. I know that's what I would do in that situation.

This is your beater bike? A Miyata Pro that you're going to put Superbe Pro on??? I think you are seriously underestimating the value of both Miyata and Superbe Pro...Superbe Pro sells the same, or higher, than Campy SR right now (though that might be temporary). That Miyata is a top rate frame.

If you want a beer run bike, get a rigid MTB for $100. As I recall, your main bike is a Motobecane or a PX-10? I would personally much rather have the Miyata and with Superbe Pro, the Miyata is probably worth more.

Admittedly, my "main" bikes are not C&V. That doesn't mean I don't ride C&V, though. I sold the PX-10 and the Le Champion is still sitting in the garage waiting for a full restore.

The paint on the Miyata is pretty lousy and the photo doesn't show it. I felt that it had the least chance of getting stolen. I still adore the way it rides and I ride it all the time, but it's not a bike I'm afraid to take outside.

Superbe Pro is selling for more than Campy SR? I'll gladly trade anyone the groupset in order to put Record back onto the Lejeune! Hell, I'd probably keep it at that point :)

Didn't mean to underestimate the Superbe Pro or Superbe for that matter. I really love the groupset and that's why I went out of my way to build it. Maybe my Univega Super Strada with Dura Ace AX should be my beater bike instead? :)

-Collin-

I'd love to see a photo of the Dura Ace AX bike...does it have the full group with the brakes, AX bars, AX stem and AX water bottle? There's something about that group and the aero tubing on those bikes that really does it for me. I hope like heck I get a shot at a DA AX Lotus again someday.

I think your standards for paint are likely far higher than mine (which are admittedly lax). To me...that is a gem and not something I'd use as my "lock it up around town" bike. I'd get a Super Course, a Raleigh Sports or a rigid MTB for that.

If you check out the ebay pricing on most SR vs. Superbe Pro...it goes for the same. The Suntour might even be selling higher on average right now.

Is there a reason you don't install hoods on your brake levers? Just curious.

Keep the Superbe Pro for sure.

The AX bike only has the crankset and the pedals I've come to find out. I think the brakeset and derailleurs are regular Dura-Ace. What was the series in 1981? What came before 7400?

I will get some better photos of the Miyata in the sun that show it's awful paint and I'll post a photo of the Univega here as well. I think you've seen it, though.

Just never got around to it I guess. I heard I'd have a very, very hard time finding Superbe hoods, so I just never bothered. What else will fit? Any idea?

-Collin-

Maybe try these:

http://www.universalcycles.com/shopp...ls.php?id=6409

And for those Dura Ace pics:

http://collinsacks.smugmug.com/photo...98_ZQJFs-L.jpg

http://collinsacks.smugmug.com/photo...45_WH8gC-L.jpg