cjenrick

i have a Cyclone 2 long cage rear derailleur on the road bike , looking for better shifting performance, we changed the 34 tooth freewheel in for a 14-21 Ultra 6 so we do not need the long cage anymore,

was thinking about a Superbe Pro but there are many models, the RD-5200 and RD-5300 seem to get good reviews,

but what is the difference between the open cage (1)and the aluminum plate cage (2), which one do you like better, thanks for any help! (left pic is NOS, right is used,pics for illustration only)

clubman 

Really, there's no bad year for a Superbe derailleur, assuming you're after friction shifting. Get the least abused model at the best price you can. Sprint is equal to Superbe in most every way.
Quite a jump from a 34 to a 21...any short cage Suntour gear should shift a close ratio cluster like butter.

CV-6 

I don't think either will disappoint.

cjenrick

i like the black logo vintage, would go good on the bike which is about an 81,

this looks like an RD-3100? are the aluminum rivets going to be a problem? this one looks like it is in great shape, i will stick it in the shopping cart and explore Suntour Sprint, read good things about the SB00 so i will check those out,
thanks for the replies!

Classtime 

For friction and that 14-21, I vote #2. But there is a friction Superbe with the open cage.

1 Lugnut

Had 7-speed index/friction (12x26) w/ Cyclone Derailluers on a Mondia for years. Faultless shifting. Just Sayin’ . . .

cjenrick

here is a Sprint in nice shape for 35 bucks, we will add that to the cart for consideration,
does look a lot like the Superbe, maybe a bit heavier? Good! might not go into the spokes as easy, and nobody will steal it since it is just a (sleepe)0 Sprint!

cjenrick

hmmm, maybe just convert the Cyclone 2 to a short cage if i can find the parts? thanks for the input.

cjenrick

here is the Cyclone 2 we have now, looks like not only must the cage be longer to handle the extra chain needed for a 34T cog, but the jockey pullet must also be located further from the hanger to avoid hitting the 34T, so i think we are better off going with a short cage Superbe/Pro/Sprint rather than throwing a shorter cage on there,

cjenrick

these SB00's are nice but go for big bucks even used, so we are down to a Superbe/Pro or Sprint,


i forgot about the upgraded crankset, we swapped out the Superbe's for some Pro's so we may as well get the matching derailleur so i will get a Superbe Pro short cage and call it good. will report back with the results later...

clubman 

FYI, this is the earlier 6 speed Sprint model but it will do 7 easily. Sprint 9000 was the 7 speed model and indexes as well. (Accushift). I rode one of these into the ground for years and still have it.

cjenrick

screw it, we do not need matching components, we already have a Mt Tech front derailleur on there anyway, i offered 30 bones plus the 8.50 shipping and he bit,

looks like very little wear on the pulleys, it should work just fine, we are running Ultra 6, hard to find regular 6 speed freewheels in 14-21 these days.

should be here next week. if i do not like it, we can upgrade to something else, that we we get to try out All the components!
nobody looks at components on a steel bike these days so no need to look cool with NOS SB00.

thanks for all the help! would have never considered the Sprint!

with the money we saved we can buy a titanium hanger bolt!

zukahn1 

I would go with one because the pulley's are in better condition based on pics.

clubman 

I think you did well. Looks almost unused with some shop wear.

Pcampeau

I’ve got an early 80s Superbe with the black label and the same Superbe Pro as depicted in figure 2 of Post 1. I enjoy them both. I think Sprint is what I would’ve picked too simply because I’ve never had one before and I’d like to try all of the components before I die....plus it’s a great looking part.

Classtime 

Whew! $199?
You will be stoked with the 6 Speed Sprint. I kept mine that was on an otherwise Superbe bike and it was fast and smooth on my 14-24. It will love your cog set.

The Golden Boy 

I think the 2 biggest deals in Suntour racing gear are the Sprint and SL groups. Both occupied the spot directly underneath Superbe and neither have the recognition of Cyclone or even some of the "lesser" groups. I don't think you're ever going to tell the difference between Superbe, Sprint and SL without looking at them (of course, you probably couldn't tell the difference between much of any similar derailleurs)

Since you've got a parts-monster 1981-ish bike, the period correct-ness shouldn't matter; weight wise, you're already ahead on the Mountech FD (seriously the Mountech FD weighs less than a circa 1990 Superbe pro FD), and the earlier Superbe Pro aren't exactly lightweight units- they're meant to not break.

If you don't like the Sprint for whatever reason- I'd just find a nice short cage Cyclone (personally, I like the older style better than any of the later revisions) and I definitely would not be playing ****-**** games with swapping cages for a unit so ubiquitous as a Cyclone.

I'm looking forward to pix of the bike!!!

rjhammett

I would opt for Sprint. Very nice derailleurs. RD-7000 for friction and RD-9000 for indexed.

Wileyone 

I prefer these over the Superbe.

Lighter, prettier, and bulletproof.

Wileyone 

And I forgot cheaper.

jPrichard10 

Another +1 for 1st Gen short cage Cyclone.

Jmpierce

I have #2 on my Nishiki with a 14/32 freewheel and 53/42 crankset and it shifts wonderfully (friction). After using indexing for years the only thing I have to get used to is the over shifting but that's what we all started with isn't it?

clubman 

Great pic of a nice bike Jmpierce