SunTour GT (version 1B)
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Category:  Rear Derailleurs
Name:  SunTour GT (version 1B)
Brand:  SunTour
Model:  RD-1200
Years:  1972 - 1973
Country:  Japan
Weight:  444 grams (avg)
View Weight List
Added By: Wolfram Verktyg on 08/28/09
Updated By: peterbman on 05/10/18
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SunTour GT (version 1B)SunTour GT (version 1B)SunTour GT (version 1B)SunTour GT (version 1B)
Outer Plate MarkingsSunTour GTInner Plate Markings
MaterialSteelDesign CategorySlant parallelogram
Attachment Bolt SizeBolt OnCable Attachment Bolt SizeScrew Driver
Shifting SystemsFrictionCable AdjusterYes
Cage LengthLongMax Cog Size34
Max Chain Wrap36T  
General Information
The chrome plated steel SunTour GT derailleur was introduced in 1970 and was produced for almost 2 decades. They are heavy (448g) and anything but glamorous but they shift well. They were designed as for use on entry level (department store) bikes for use with "alpine" gearing. Frank Berto ranked these near Huret Duopar derailleurs for performance and durablility on wide range freewheels. I have an all original 1971 Hetchins Italia model set up for touring. It has a SunTour GT rear derailleur. I was told that "Alf Hetchins didn't like Campagnolo's Gran Turismo derailleurs..." so he used these SunTour GTs in the early 70s.
Quality:Rarity:
 
 
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Resources:Reference & ChartsCatalogsExternal Resources
Brand Information(click to expand)

SunTour (Maeda)

SunTour derailleurs have a two-letter date code. On rear derailleurs the code is stamped on the back side of the inner parallel arm. On front derailleurs it is stamped on the back side of the inner cage.

The first letter represents the year. Larry Osborn and I believe O (Oh) is 1972, V is 1979 and A is 1984. As with Shimano, the second letter is the month code, where A is January and L is December.

SunTour Year Code

N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
 
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992

SunTour Month Code

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

The earliest Suntour derailleur I have found with a code is marked OF. A rear derailleur marked OD (corresponding to April of 72) was reported by Leighton Walter. I have a bike that dates from between 1970 to 1972 that has the original SunTour derailleurs. These derailleurs do not have date codes on them, so I believe the coding started sometime between 1970 and April of 1972.

(source: vintage-trek.com)

 
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WeightSourceNotesAdded By
448 GramsSpecWith Hanger Plate Wolfram Verktyg
440 GramsSpec MGTS
Ambrosio
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