For the 2004 model year SR SUNTOUR opened its first factory in China, in Kunshan. Amongst the first products were three derailleurs, the CR800, CR400 and CR300. I think that this example is the SR SUNTOUR CR800.

The CR800 was interesting in a number of ways:

• It was low-normal, finished in rather smart silver paint and had very large pulley wheels. All of these features are reminiscent to Shimano's 'Rapid Rise' Nexave derailleurs of the period.
• It used a very simple but innovative cable run, with two curved cable ramps.

I believe that SR SUNTOUR called their low-normal system the 'ICE' transmission - but I have not yet worked out what these letters stand for. It is also worth noting that the Dahon and Tern derailleurs, that SR SUNTOUR designed and manufactured, were also low-normal.

• Derailleur brands: SR SUNTOUR
• Country: designed in Taiwan, manufactured in China
• Date of introduction: 2003
• Date of this example: unknown
• Model no.: CR800?
• Weight: 264g
• Maximum cog: 34 teeth (source: SR SUNTOUR)
• Total capacity: 39 teeth (source: SR SUNTOUR)
• Pulley centre to centre: 72mm
• Index compatibility: 9 speed
• Chain width: 3/32”
• Logic: low-normal
• B pivot: unsprung
• P pivot: sprung
• Materials: aluminium b-knuckle, outer parallelogram plate and outer pulley cage plate, plastic p-knuckle, steel inner parallelogram plate and pulley cage plate.

Ref. 1979