SunTour Brakes
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On this page: Superbe Pro aero brake levers with cables | SL Aero brake levers | GPX Aero Brakeset | SE XCR rear cantilever calipers | SE XC Pro rear cantilever calipers | SE XC Pro cantilever caliper brake spring | XC Pro 1" Headlocker Cable Stop | XC Power Cam (Roller-Cam) arms with pads | XC Power Cam (Roller-Cam) brake plates
Suntour could trace its origins to 1912, when the then-named Maeda Iron Works began making bicycle sprockets and then freewheels.
Suntour's business really took off with its introduction of the slant parallelogram rear derailleur in 1964. This innovation, upon which all modern derailleurs are based, allowed the derailleur to maintain a constant distance from the sprockets and vastly improved shifting.
Suntour thrived and expanded, eventually producing complete groups, all well-designed and beautifully made. But upon the expiration of Suntour's slant-parallelogram derailleur patent, arch-competitor Shimano, adopting this design, became a relentless and dominating force in bicycle components, crushing the weaker Suntour company.
In 1988, the now-struggling Suntour company was purchased by the a Taiwan firm and by 1993, once-dominant Suntour owned only five percent of the U.S. market.
SunTour Superbe Pro aero brake levers with cables. Used, $65.00
- SunTour part# BL-SB00-N
- Produced 1988-1994
A bit scuffed, but fully functional
The same levers, flipped over.
SunTour SL Aero Brake Levers w/cables. New, $100.00/set
Part# 82146
- SunTour part# BL-SL00
- We have one set in stock
- Produced 1991 - 1994
- Comes with cables and housing
New, in the box, with cablesets.
Here's the box, close up
Here they are, out of their box
Close-up of just the levers
Side view
Here are the same levers turned over.
SunTour GPX Aero Brakeset. New, $300.00/set
Part# 81099
- This brake set is different! The forged aluminum calipers have internal springs. The return spring is not visible, making these about the cleanest looking brakes ever made. To our knowledge, only the SunTour Superbe Pro calipers from this same era have this feature.
- Produced in the late 1980s
New in the box. Levers are under the calipers.
The grey finish will go with any bike.
The calipers
The calipers from the back. Not a spring in sight.
Side view
Close-up of a caliper
Of course, levers and cables are included.
Close-up of the levers
Side view of the levers
And the levers turned over to show thier other sides
SunTour SE XCR rear calipers. New,$120.00/set
Part# 81120
One eBay seller described these remarkable calipers thus: "The self-energizing element consists of an internal helix or cam in each arm which moves brakes pads inwards i.e. towards and rim (as you would expect) and also forwards in the rotational direction the wheel. This forward motion increases braking power 60-70% for much less effort than a traditional cantilever brakes require."
Important note: These calipers will work ONLY as rear calipers. They will not work as front calipers.
The set of self-energizing rear calipers.
The calipers turned over.
The calipers turned over.
SunTour SE XC Pro rear cantilever brake calipers. New, $100.00/set
Part# 81120
These cantilever calipers are called "self energizing". The very act of braking creates ever greater pad force against the rim. To quote SunTour's (which licensed Pedersen's design) explanation of the design:
"Designed to enhance the rider's stopping power without expending more energy at the brake lever. ...Self Energizing brakes use the directional force of the rim to increase braking energy. As the [rear] pads contact the rim they are pulled forward toward the seat stay; the brake's internal helical mechanism drives the pads on to the rim with greater force."
Important: Pedersen calipers are front/rear specific. That is, there is a front pair and a rear pair. Care should be given to mounting them
Since SunTour never made a front wheel version, all Suntour SE XC Pro rear brake cantilever calipers go on the rear.
Still new, in the box.
A close-up of the calipers
Note the calipers are Pedersen Self-energizing stoppers. These must be mounted as rear brake calipers.
The backs of the calipers
XE SE Pro Brake Spring. New, $5.00/each.
We have eight in stock
SunTour XC Pro 1" Headlocker Cable Stop. Used, $50.00
- This cable stop/headset lock was made for 1" steering tubes to work with SunTour XC Pro cantilever brakes. But this beautifully made piece of cycling art will work with nearly any cantilever or centerpull brake.
Simple, beautifully made.
From another angle
From the top
SunTour XC Power Cam (Roller-Cam) arms with pads. New, $80.00/set, as pictured.
New brake arms
The backs of the arms.
Sides of the arms.
The other sides of the arms.
SunTour XC Power Cam (Roller-Cam) brake plates. Used, $30.00 for pair.
In the picture below, the cam on the left has modified parts on it.
The fronts of the plates
The backs of the plates