sam.g

I need some help deciding which vintage frame to best match up with a Suntour Sprint 9000 group for a winter project.

I've assembled almost a complete partially NOS Suntour Sprint group and am now shopping for frames. I'd like to find a 54-55 cm frame dating from the late eighties which should have 126 rear spacing. I've been mainly looking for high end Japanese frames such as 3Rensho, Miyata Team Pro, Nagasawa, Panasonic Paramounts, Fuji Pro and others. However I believe that many domestic builders would be period correct. I seem to remember that quite a few guys raced with Sprint groups but can't remember if these were popular with European brands.

Any advice or recommendations would be appreciated.

Sam in Cincy

noglider 

I got this nifty valve cap in a strange purple-ish color. What bike should I build around it?

Chicago Al 

Now, Tom, play nice.

OP, I have a 1986 Pro Miyata which came with a Sprint (pre 9000) group, but came to me with some of that replaced with a mix of Shimano 600 and 105. I acquired much of a Superbe group, thinking to upgrade to that, but I've since changed my mind and will probably pick up the missing Sprint parts to 'go back' to that. So far the bike is on a trainer so it's not like it matters a great deal!

Sprint 9000 doesn't seem to have a particular fanbase like DA or Superbe Pro, so it's not like you are going to enhance the bike's value by putting that group on it. But that's not the point, is it? Find a frame you really like and build it however you want it. Heck, put it on an Italian frame!

WNG

The Sprint group you have would be indexed, and right below Superbe Pro. Excellent bit of kit!
It would be fitting to go on any frame from the late 80s to early 90s.
By then even the European pros were using Japanese groups as standard equipment with European frames.

Pick any frame that tickles your fancy.

[noglider]
And Tom, how about you try it on a purple unicycle?

RubberLegs

My son rides an 86 Team Fuji specced with Sprint Grouppo, but the wheels were mis-matched and trashed, so a newer set of wheels with a 9 speed cassette (runs it friction), and upgraded the RD to Superbe...He LOVES it...

sam.g

Thanks. This confirms my feelings. I've mainly been looking for the the higher end Fuji's and Miyata's of this period but was hoping to broaden my selection. Although I'd love to find a reasonably priced 3Rensho, these might be better suited to Superbe Pro or DA.

I'm also hesitant to offer any recommendations as to a suggested use for a purple-ish valve cap, as the place in mind seldom receives sunlight.

afilado

I built up a late '80s Schwinn Circuit with a Sprint group and it was a perfect match as far as I'm concerned. A great performer/rider in every respect. Any of the mid/high end frames out of the Mississippi plant would be good candidates.

J

sced

My wife's mid 80's made-in-Italy Bianchi Brava came with Sprint shifters and derailleurs. It's a nice group and probably anything that catches your fancy will be deserving of it.

shoota 

lol Tom kinda made me laugh, and so did sam.

On-topic: Didn't the black lightening come with Sprint? Or does this frame have to be steel?

The Golden Boy 

Oh SNAP!

Great answer!

clubman 

Tom...that's not a valve cap.

This one!

spacemanz

That Sprint group should be really nice, & work well on any frame. I picked up a single lefty Sprint down tube shifter before, not knowing what it was, but it's basically a down-sized Power Shifter, with better levers. As far as the frame, no comment.

Oregon Southpaw

That bike's still on the street, givin' 'em hell. I think the black and white circuits would look awesome with this too (they originally came with regular sprint iirc)

rjhammett

A Centurion Ironman would make a good choice.
This past summer I built up a a very nice fillet brazed frame (unknown make) with all Sprint components. I really like the stuff. If you decide to go in another direction send the gruppo my way.

jimmuller 

I have nothing to offer about the purple-ish valve cap thingy, but I usually start with the frame and collect the components. I'll have to to try it the other way around some time. Let us know how that works out!

mikemowbz

I'm not super knowledgeable about that particular cult Cannondale, but I believe that bike was the destination for at least a couple of somewhat uncommon Sprint color variants: a black RD with gold-ish lettering and a gold-colored FD come to mind as examples I've seen. I have one of the black Sprint RDs, which piqued my interest.

As to the OP, I too have a pretty much complete Sprint 9000 group (or maybe more like two-and-a-half ), minus brakes, and have thought a bit about what to hang this beautiful equipment on. Those components I've seen are virtually identical to their Superbe Pro counterparts, save for finish (which is frankly hard to differentiate when comparing the derailleurs, though the Superbe Pro crank is appreciably nicer in this respect). And they're often a bargain.

If it wasn't already a supremely nice vintage/modern mix of Cyclone MKII and 105, I'd hang this stuff on my 1985 Nishiki Prestige - a wonderful mid-level Japanese production frame. Also, the Altron (in aluminum) came stock with Sprint, IIRC.

I feel that there are any number of mid-to-high-end Japanese frames that would work - and most of the suggestions already posted here range from sensible to inspired. I like the Gardin posted by clubman, and would consider these components a great match for a variety of late 1980s North American frames. Admittedly, this probably reflects more on my own recent interests than anything else, but I'd be hot to trot with the Sprint stuff on a US or Canadian race frame, perhaps a custom from a small builder (any local legends?) or something from a mid-sized operation (Fuso, Marinoni, etc., etc.).

A black-and-white Schwinn Circuit would be a great choice as well.

gerv 

You've never started with a Brooks saddle? Or a really nice crankset?

IthaDan 

Cannondale criterium with the paint stripped off. Make a silver lightning.

jimmuller 

Noop.

But I do have a nice brake set waiting for a home.

surreal

For the record, you can give me a spoke nerple, and I'll try to build a bike out of it. (So, please, don't give me any spoke nerples.)

OP: I'm thinking, based o your comments this thread, you want a mid-high to high-end Japanese bike. If you leave it at that, rather than looking for a very specific maker/model/year/color scheme. it will make your job easier-- just look for a suitably hott Japanese frame set in good shape that fits you. For years, I've wanted to try to get all fan-boy about a particular manufacturer, but the fact is, all of the nicer offerings by the Japanese firms seem impressively nice to me.

zukahn1 

The Sprint group showed up on nicer mide level and even high end frames from just about everyplace in the 80's. As well a Japanese frames I would also consider nicer American built frames Canodale, Trek also just about any semi custom American frame from these era would be a good choice some of these can be great bargains because there not as well known. Basicaly I would consider this group worthy of just about any realy nice 80's frame and would be vintage correct. Budget racers used this group on pretty much any and all frames in the 80's and early 90's.