Components; Superbe RD and Accushift barcons
 

Components came on a recent purchase and aren't real common, especially the early Suntour Superbe long cage rear derailleur. The Superbe is AJ dated which I think makes it late 83. It is hard to find any info on it. The cage is quite long with pulleys being about 79mm apart which is more that the GT and VXs that I have. Almost all aluminum and 225 grams on my scale.

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a2178d9496.jpg


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...285c61cd0a.jpg


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...04432d014b.jpg


Next up from the same bike are a nice pair of 7 speed accushift barcons. These seem to be fairly rare too.


https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a713845b12.jpg


https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...e19a8dc3cc.jpg


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f56c95d8c4.jpg


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...ae0c8f2f92.jpg


Thanks for any info.

I thought the Superbe Tech was the only Superbe long cage version, that is unusual. I think it would go for $80 to $100 range on Ebay. Maybe $60 here on the forum. $40 to $50 for the shifters.

Exactly on the rd about not being seen much. I think someone posted about one on a Cannondale touring bike of the era. Surprisingly the pulley spacing is quite a bit more that the earlier long cage Suntours. Lots of chain wrap maybe. Don’t see that version of shifters much as the accushift stuff wasn’t very popular I think in the 7 speed as the freewheels were different too.

I use the Accushift barcons on my Bianchi that I use for five months each year in Jamaica. Put simply, they are great! The ease of use and precision cannot be faulted...
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...a066c1e87a.jpg
https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...f6110927ca.jpg

Value of parts is pretty well established on ebay. These do have some relatively minor condition issues: obvious rash on the RD body and some pitting and rust on the shifter bolts. Still should do well. Super easy to ship, both may well be able to go first class mail (cheap).

Suntour Superbe + long cage = very good value for sure!

This seems to be the same RD...

https://velobase.com/ViewComponent.a...=108&AbsPos=58

I may put the Superbe on my 83 Trek 700, or maybe not. That one came originally with the ill fated Superbe tech. Long gone when I got that bike. I am running a VX long cage on it now that I truly love, and it looks way less clunky than the Superbe pictured here.

Max cog of 26T?? That seems odd. I was just thinking this is just the RD I need on the Opus to put a big ol' gear on it for eroica events. Then I saw the max cog....

I'm a piker when it comes to taking a position on such things. Others here will be way more knowledgeable, but in my opinion, Suntour Superbe was a high-end groupset and used on racing bikes, many of which probably topped out at 26. There is another Superbe RD which can handle up to 34.

https://velobase.com/ViewComponent.a...=108&AbsPos=57

Personal experience says that most of the advertised "limits" or "max" figures are conservative and you can often exceed them, within reason.

I owned a beautiful set once. I had the FD, the RD and the Down tube shifters and they were like jewelry, just beautiful. One of the reasons I sold the group was because of the potential limitations. Some days I wish I had them back, but I got a good price for them due to condition.

Velobase not loading right now for me, but certainly max cog is 32 or more. My VX medium cage does 30 easily and I even ran it at 32 but didn’t care for it there. The GT version handles 32 very easily and has pulleys closer together by over 10mm than this Superbe. I didn’t notice that max number for the Superbe, but I would guess it can handle 32-34. It even showed 38 for chain wrap. Too bad it is kinda homely though with that huge slab for a pulley cage. Perhaps that is for strength.

Velo loading for me now. Surely a mistake on that 26. My searches led to this Superbe as factory on a Cannondale touring bike of the early eighties, and they surely ran more than a 26. As to the other Superbe, that is the “tech” version and is not recommended because of durability problems.

Yeah, I'm sure this one will cover a much larger cog. I've run a 26 with the short cage one I have on the Opus.