Whether old or new, I am always keen to stock items I find "good," and I’ve recently come across a few pieces that truly caught my eye. These are all New Old Stock (NOS) items manufactured in the 1970s and 80s.
SUNTOUR XC9000 Power Roller Cam Brake
First up is the Roller Cam brake from the XC9000 series, the top-tier MTB component group from the now-defunct SUNTOUR.
The XC9000 uses a Roller Cam brake system devised by Charlie Cunningham, a pioneer of the early mountain bike scene. In an era when cantilever brakes were the mainstream, this masterpiece was loved around the world for its exceptional stopping power.
Please note that these do not fit standard cantilever studs and are designed for U-brake mounts; they won't fit just any frame. However, if you are riding a bike that uses U-brakes, upgrading to these will dramatically improve your stopping power.
SUNTOUR XC9000 Power Roller Cam Brake
Price: 11,000 yen (tax included)
The price is per set. If you need them for both front and rear, please purchase 2 sets.
※ Compatible with Roller Cam / U-brake mounts.
※ Cannot be installed on cantilever studs.
※ As these are New Old Stock, they do not come with boxes, manuals, etc.
SUNTOUR Power Roller Cam Brake Plate Large
We also have the wide-type plates to match the brakes mentioned above.
These are for use when the standard cam plate doesn't allow the pads to reach the rim, such as when the brake studs are spaced further apart.
The "CUNNINGHAM DESIGN" engraving is incredibly cool. Using it as a keychain would also be interesting.
SUNTOUR Power Roller Cam Brake Plate Large
Price: 880 yen (tax included)
Dimensions: Height / approx. 55mm x Width / approx. 70mm
The price is per set. If you need them for both front and rear, please purchase 2 sets.
※ As these are New Old Stock, they do not come with boxes, manuals, etc.
SHIMANO 600 EX Headset HP-6200
The SHIMANO 600 series was developed by Shimano—a company Japan is proud to share with the world—during the 1970s and 80s. Among them is the headset from the SHIMANO 600 EX series, which was released in 1978 and marketed as components that perfectly matched European handmade frames.
The "Arabesque" (vine pattern) design unique to this series is particularly striking.
Born in an era that laid the foundation for much of the manufacturing technology we take for granted today, this headset incorporates skills Shimano excelled at even then, such as forging, pressing, surface polishing, anodizing, optimization of resin plating, and techniques to intentionally create textures.
Naturally, it uses the cup-and-cone system—Shimano's specialty—which is resistant to play and ensures smooth handling, with the ability to make adjustments if needed.
The standard is 1-inch JIS. Recommended for Keirin frames, vintage MTBs, and more.
SHIMANO 600 EX Headset HP-6200
Price: 12,100 yen (tax included)
Compatible size: 1″ JIS (Head tube inner diameter: 30mm)
Crown race inner diameter: 27.0mm
Material: Aluminum
Weight: Approx. 140g
Made in Japan
※ One point of caution: this headset uses a locknut known as a "flower-shaped nut." Dedicated tools for this existed at the time, but they have since been discontinued and are no longer available. While it is not impossible to use a standard 32mm headset wrench as a substitute, the nut's shape specifically calls for the dedicated tool, so please be aware of this.
All these items are available in limited quantities, so if you are interested, don't miss out!
