Bridgestone RB-1 Nightmare

[Bstone]

I had a nightmare last night. I dreamed that I sold my 92 RB-1 to finance a set of aero wheels. As the new owner rode off I realized my mistake. I called out, but he did not hear me and continued to pedal away.

Thank god it was only a dream...

[Javaman]

What size is your RB1?

[civdic]

I've got one hanging in my garage. It's a bit big but I can't bring myself to sell it.

[Bstone]

50 cm. Yellow. Junkyard dog parts group. Mavic Cosmic Pro wheels. Sora Shifters, RX100 rear der, 600 front. 25ish pounds. Paint looks like ····. Dent in the top tube. Don't care, I still love it.

Live in Florida, so weight is completely a non issue here.

[AngryScientist]

if it rides anything like my 50cm bridgestone 400, it's a winner. great bikes, for sure.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-POcZnFAaMNU/Uu12a_y5HvI/AAAAAAAABf0/zn4ad0SDk8U/s1600/P1080150.JPG

[civdic]

Found and old pic of mine.

http://i62.tinypic.com/256foup.jpg

[sc53]

if it rides anything like my 50cm bridgestone 400, it's a winner. great bikes, for sure.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-POcZnFAaMNU/Uu12a_y5HvI/AAAAAAAABf0/zn4ad0SDk8U/s1600/P1080150.JPG

Nick you have THREE pink and blue bikes!! They all look fab but you need to branch out into other color combos!

[mhespenheide]

Anyone have a 62cm that they want to loan/rent me for a few years before I give/sell it back to you?

Truthfully, between an older steel Bianchi and a LeMond Poprad, I think I understand what the RB-1 would ride like, and how it would handle. But in the event that I eventually get a custom frame, I'll probably try to buy an RB-1 first to see if I want to take some cues from it.

If I remember right, Dave Kirk has said that he wanted his early bikes to pass the RB-1 test: if there wasn't at least one thing that was better than the RB-1, he didn't want to build it. (Dave, my apologies if I'm mis-remembering).

[Bob Ross]

I have a 1986 Bridgestone 600 as my commuter/foul weather/I-want-to-make-this-training-ride-painfully-difficult bike. My wife keeps asking me why I keep it around, when I also have two really nice bikes.

"Because the Bridgestone is a really nice bike too!" I say.

[jensenn]

good friend of mine always lends me his RB-1 whenever I'm in town. such a solid bike, rides great and can handle pretty much anything. actually just rode it this past weekend.

http://i916.photobucket.com/albums/ad1/jensenesteves/Mobile%20Uploads/photo_zps9171b8ba.jpg

[thunderworks]

I sold Bridgestone bikes until they left the US market in 1994. They really were a terrific bicycle - well made, spec'd by Grant Peterson, and priced as good values. Tough to beat. The only other production bike that might have had as good a mix of quality, design and value was Miyata in the mid 1980's when Japanese goods were dirt cheap because of the dollar/yen relationship. Too bad that Bridgestone gave up on the US market!

[Dale Alan]

I have always admired those RB-1s ,Yellow especially,and I am not a yellow guy. I have a RB-2 frameset that is too small for me so never built it up. Always been curious how it would ride compared to the legendary RB-1.

[benb]

Never ridden one.. how versatile were these?

E.x.

Good real world geometry for comfortable riding (All the pics look so)
How much tire clearance?
Fender mounts?
Bag/Rack mounts?
Still feels sporty/fun to ride?

I got an All City Space horse last fall and I like it for these reasons.. seems like there are way to few bikes with the list of qualities I outlined above. I haven't even had my SH for a full season and yet I already feel like I like it better than my last few bikes that cost 3x more.

I like the looks of the bridgestone bikes much more than the current Rivendell stuff and Riv is too expensive for what it is for me.

[cnighbor1]

Grant Petersen of Rivendell designed those RB-1 etc. so his current bicycle should handle and ride the same
Charles

[jensenn]

Since my friend rarely rides and the Bridgestone just hangs from his garage, every time I borrow my friends RB-1 (yellow one above), I have to resist the other from buying it. It's a perfect all around bike.

[veloduffer]

I got back into riding on Brigestones- first was a CB-0 hybrid, then a '91 RB-2 and sold that for a '93 yellow RB-1 with that great Ritchey fork crown.

I sold it to buy a Sachs and needed the money. I would've kept it otherwise. I still scope around for a yellow one now and then on eBay.

[veloduffer]

Grant Petersen of Rivendell designed those RB-1 etc. so his current bicycle should handle and ride the same

Charles


I had a Rivendell Road and it was nothing like the RB-1. Different design philosophy to some extent. RB were more race bike while Rivs are more tourer and randonneur

[Fatty]

on the Chicago Craigslist. Looks nice.

http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/bik/4388562692.html

[Hawker]

if it rides anything like my 50cm bridgestone 400, it's a winner. great bikes, for sure.

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-POcZnFAaMNU/Uu12a_y5HvI/AAAAAAAABf0/zn4ad0SDk8U/s1600/P1080150.JPG

I have a couple of passions; bikes are one and the other is...bagels. :) How's that shop in the background?

[snah]

Popped up on CL, don't know seller but can help if interest.

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/bik/4357122101.html

[WickedWheels]

I never fully got the RB-1 love... I've ridden them "around the block" and they seemed solid, but I don't have any real experience with them. I know they're well made, but lots of bike were at that time period. There are always a few bikes that were really impressive in the ride, but the RB-1 never stuck out in my mind.

What's the appeal? Why love the RB-1 over other bikes of that era, such as Paramount, Serotta, Colnago Master, Pinarello Treviso, etc, etc? Was it simply a decent, minimalist bike for a reasonable price?

[jamie789]

I just picked up a 1989 RB-1 all original components for $90. The guy had no idea what he had. Said it was his uncle's but he didn't ride anymore. I was worried it might be stolen because it was so cheap but I checked the stolen bike registry and didn't find anything. Looks like it's hardly been ridden, just a few spots where the paint is damaged, I'm guessing it happened in the garage.

I've only ridden about a mile on it so far, it handles great, really responsive feeling. I thought I might sell it and make some money but I don't think I can bring myself to do it. Now I'm thinking about getting some shorter cranks for it.

[Bstone]

Old Yeller. Cosmics take a little winding up, but once wound up, they stay wound. 8 speed goodness. We only need about 3 gears in Florida (stay in the draft and you can use 2).

[Bob Ross]

bagels. :) How's that shop in the background?

Wait, is that pic from Tenafly?

[fiamme red]

Wait, is that pic from Tenafly?Montclair.

[sc53]

I had a perfect condition MB-1 I bought new in 1993. It was too big although I had it adjusted enough to ride it. I stupidly GAVE IT AWAY to a bike shop employee much taller than I, who ended up being fired from the shop so I never got any VIP treatment or anything.

[AngryScientist]

Montclair.

correct.

bagels are good! not the best in the NYC area, but very good.

EXCELLENT little coffee shop right around the corner from there though. excellent.