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Suntour Cyclone or Superbe Pro - Univega Resto

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Suntour Cyclone or Superbe Pro - Univega Resto

Old 04-29-22, 07:36 AM
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tjfastback66
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Suntour Cyclone or Superbe Pro - Univega Resto

I was hoping to ride the nearly complete Univega Specialissima this weekend but ran into a front derailleur issue with the OEM Suntour Cyclone.
It seems that the hinge has broken, and I am wondering if replacing would be wise or a possible upgrade to the Suntour Superbe Pro would be a better option.
I think that the flaw on this derailleur is the hinge as I have seen quite a few on ebay that have the same issue (not disclosed unless you look at the pics).
The Superbe Pro in my opinion has a better design.
The Touring bike has 3 rings on the crank so I need a derailleur that has that ability of reach.

Thoughts?




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Old 04-29-22, 08:33 AM
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Suntour has many triple derailleurs, with your suggestion being top of the line. The Superbe Pro triple may be overkill if you are going out of your way to buy, but if you have it on the shelf. I went with Cyclone 7000xc derailleurs updating the 1980 Univega Gran Premio, Very similar original build except the GP was a double SR crank 52-42.
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Old 04-29-22, 08:39 AM
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What breaks on the hinge? The hinge pin? Can you replace it?
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Old 04-29-22, 08:49 AM
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I'm running a Cyclone Mark II FD shifting 28/42/52 and it works well.
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Old 04-29-22, 08:59 AM
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Originally Posted by smd4
What breaks on the hinge? The hinge pin? Can you replace it?
Mine broke in the aluminum casting surrounding the hole for the pin.
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Old 04-29-22, 09:07 AM
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Originally Posted by smd4
What breaks on the hinge? The hinge pin? Can you replace it?
Hello - well this is what broke and I think that it is now junk for the parts bin...

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Old 04-29-22, 09:12 AM
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Ah...yup. Salvage what you can.
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Old 04-29-22, 09:38 AM
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Triple. The answer is Suntour Mountech.
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Old 04-29-22, 10:32 AM
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Originally Posted by tjfastback66
Hello - well this is what broke and I think that it is now junk for the parts bin...
As suggested above, keep it around for small parts, since some items have proprietary sizing or threading, and you can't always predict that entirely. You may find a Cyclone in great shape with a bolt missing, and you'll be glad you held onto the broken one. It's a fine line between stockpiling and hoarding, but you're not close to that line.
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Old 04-29-22, 11:03 AM
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Thats a relatively common failure point on this FD. I've seen it several times. Realize its a 40 year old part.
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Old 04-29-22, 11:26 AM
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I've got a Superbe front derailleur on one bike with 60k miles on it, and a Cyclone on another with 50k on it. Both bikes get used in all sorts of weather.
They are both excellent, so maybe just look for whatever is available at a good price and looks good??

The bike with the Superbe front derailleur was made in 1990, and I picked up a spare derailleur that I found cheap a few years later. It is still sitting in my parts box, untouched.
I've also got a few spare Cyclones too, and haven't needed them.

Steve in Peoria
(springs for the lower pivot on Cyclone rear derailleurs are a different story, though)
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Old 04-29-22, 11:54 AM
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My '84 Univega GT has a Mountech triple on the front with 52-48-28. I see a few on ebay.
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Old 04-29-22, 12:15 PM
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I almost always match the rear. In this case, it's gotta be first gen Cyclone. Surely, someone here has one for you for around $30 shipped. Maybe try the "ISO and for trade" thread.
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Old 04-29-22, 03:22 PM
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Originally Posted by SurferRosa
I almost always match the rear. In this case, it's gotta be first gen Cyclone. Surely, someone here has one for you for around $30 shipped. Maybe try the "ISO and for trade" thread.
it is so funny that you said that today as I put in an offer for one on ebay for $30 and got it. BUT then I realized it has the cable end housing "option" version that I do not have on my original so I am torn between holding off for now and waiting for the correct part. One could just install the part and run the wire thru the hole and call it good - just no so sure that I want to do that.
I am not so technical with the terms sorry if the reply does not make sense...
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Old 04-29-22, 03:42 PM
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Originally Posted by tjfastback66
I put in an offer for one on ebay for $30 and got it.
Then it's yours. Do right by the seller and pay for it quickly. Mount it. If you want to change it out later, do that.
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Old 04-29-22, 04:07 PM
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Originally Posted by tjfastback66
it is so funny that you said that today as I put in an offer for one on ebay for $30 and got it. BUT then I realized it has the cable end housing "option" version that I do not have on my original so I am torn between holding off for now and waiting for the correct part. One could just install the part and run the wire thru the hole and call it good - just no so sure that I want to do that.
I am not so technical with the terms sorry if the reply does not make sense...
some of those cable housing stops just unthread from the derailleur body, so you might be able to remove it.

Steve in Peoria
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Old 04-29-22, 05:20 PM
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Originally Posted by tjfastback66
Hello - well this is what broke and I think that it is now junk for the parts bin...

Well don't give up just yet. If you really want to save it perhaps give aluminum brazing a try. https://weldguru.com/aluminum-brazing/ I admit haven't done it, but I suggest as these parts are some what irreplaceable. That said, you would probably invest more money in buying the brazing supplies than getting an ebay replacement.

BTW I have a Univega specialissma, I believe to be an 1981 or 1982 (I bought it in 1982) . It came with same derailleurs as yours, but mine has cantilever brakes. Love being able to put on 35mm tires and fenders/mudguards! It has morphed into my daily commuter with a new paint job. I have owned this bike the longest of all my bikes (coming up on 40 years).
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Old 04-30-22, 04:17 AM
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Did SunTour offer front derailleurs with metric-sized clamps? If so, I wonder if one of those was mounted. I've never experienced problems with and SunTour front derailleurs. Now, Huret Jubilee or Simplex <anything made of Delrin>, that's a different story.
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Old 04-30-22, 05:21 AM
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Originally Posted by tjfastback66
Hello - well this is what broke and I think that it is now junk for the parts bin...


I repaired a Huret Jubliee FD with similar issues by drilling and tapping two holes for screws and tying them together with a piece of wire:




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