Repco Superlite compared to Apollo Delta

[dave_cyclist]

Hi all, I've been wondering how do the Repco Superlite and Apollo Delta compare on componentry and specification levels and riding experience? Were they direct rivals? Thanks very much!

[uart]

Hi all, I've been wondering how do the Repco Superlite and Apollo Delta compare on componentry and specification levels and riding experience? Were they direct rivals? Thanks very much!

I've not seen a lot of information on the Apollo Delta, and I'm not sure that many people here have owned one. Repco superlites on the other hand tend to turn up here pretty often as resto projects. I've also got an old one here in my shed that I"ll get around to restoring one day.

[dave_cyclist]

Cool what about the Malvern Star Impact?

[uart]

Cool what about the Malvern Star Impact?

I'm not familiar with that model. There's a Malvern Star appreciation thread here though, and it's discussed briefly there. Sounds more low end compared to the superlite.
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[bog1953]

My understanding is that the first generation of superlite were a Japanese made frame of a high quality. But the next was produced here in Australia and of a much inferior quality, some of which weren't much better than gas pipe quality Malvern Star just cashed in on the first iteration of the superlite's great reputation.

[dave_cyclist]

Hi bog1953, was the 1988 model year First or second generation Superlite if you know? Thanks

[uart]

Hi bog1953, was the 1988 model year First or second generation Superlite if you know? Thanks

Late 80's and early 90's Superlite frames were made in Taiwan. Not sure where low-mid range Repco models were made prior to this.

[dave_cyclist]

Here's some pictures of the Superlite on my gear checker: IMG_20221111_000141 by Dave R, on Flickr

IMG_20221111_000150 by Dave R, on Flickr

[uart]

Here's some pictures of the Superlite on my gear checker:

That bike still seems to have most of it's original decals and stickers. Look at the bottom of the seat tube (near the bottom bracket) and you'll probably find a "Made in Taiwan" sticker.

I don't think the previous poster's info about Repco switching from Made in Japan to Made in Australia and associated quality decline is correct.

My info is that Repco made bicycles in Australia back in the 1950's and even earlier. At some point (I think around the '80s) they also starting importing them. Most low-mid range ones from Taiwan, but some of their better ones like the "Nishiki Tri-A" made by the Kawamura factory in Kobe, Japan (who also made some nice quality bikes for Apollo). Up until 1990 they (Repco) still had a factory in Australia, but most stuff was imported. At that point only their top of the range Vertex frames were made in Australia. I had one at the time, and it was an excellent quality Australian hand made 531c frame.

[dave_cyclist]

Very interesting, I just checked the sticker and what it does say is Repco Cycle Company and the place in Victoria they were based

[bog1953]

I don't recall all the details, but I did read a number of years ago that repco got a batch of Japanese frames that they branded superlite. They sold very quickly, but this was the era when the Japanese yen was soaring, so repco found it too expensive to replace them. So, instead got cheaper frames, I thought Australia, but maybe Taiwan. That's what I recall. Anyway my son had an early frame and was quite impressed with the brazing and it's light weight.

[dave_cyclist]

Yes it does perform very well, on par and even faster than the Pursuits

[uart]

I don't recall all the details, but I did read a number of years ago that repco got a batch of Japanese frames that they branded superlite.

I'd never heard of that, but it's definitely possible.

I suspect that if they did import them from Japan at some stage then the next step would have been Taiwan. I know that by the late '80s/ early 90's, the only Australian made frame in their lineup was the Vertex. Like this one:

[dave_cyclist]

Reinstalling the metal pedals certainly helped it feels like your feet lock into the pedals it makes it much smoother and sure footed especially going uphill