View Full Version : What I scored today
fourflys
05-18-2011, 11:23 PM
So, I often go by the thrift stores to see if somebody has dropped off an old steel Colnago or Sachs that I can score... :rolleyes:
Well, I went by the local Salvation Army and they had a Bridgestone roadbike in the back for $50... I looked at it and since it wasn't an XO or RB series, I didn't really pay it much attention... I was messing around this morning and though I'd pull up the model to see about it... The model was a Mile112... I found it Bridgestone introduced this bike as a Triathalon-specific bike before all the aero stuff came around... The forks have a rake of something like 55 that was supposed to make it smoother for the athletes after the long swim..
Anyway, it sounds like the '86 Mile112 is about the same level as the RB2 or RB1 depending on if you get the "SE" model or not (Shimano 600 0n the SE)... this one does have the Biopace chainrings...
So I went back today to buy it and since it was Wednesday I got it 50% off! So, I got a lugged, Ishawata-tubed Bridgestone for $25! The weird thing is the sizing and how it fits me... It feels really good when riding, I usually ride a 54/54.5cm top tube.. the Bridgestone measures about a 57cm and, as I said, feels great... very strange...
anyway, I thought I'd share the story and my crappy phone pic in my messy garage... I'll get a better pic... oh yeah, it's a lavender and silver color (the only color available that year)... I don't care, I'm man enough to ride it! :hello:
http://threeflys.smugmug.com/Sports/Cycling/i-9GbpHgs/0/L/Bridgestone-L.jpg
nice! the thrift stores around here never have any hidden treasures.
a friend of mine recently sold his for about 350 but not in any near great of a condition that one is!
rcnute
05-18-2011, 11:40 PM
Whatta find! Of course, now you need to preserve karmic alignment by donating to the SA... :banana:
fourflys
05-18-2011, 11:55 PM
BTW- stupid question... I'm thinking of upgrading the shifting to 9 speed and bar end shifters... do I need to worry about the crankset? I probably will upgrade the front as well, just want to do the rear first...
InspectorGadget
05-19-2011, 12:12 AM
Nice find! Guess I should start trolling the thrift stores and pawn shops.
Louis
05-19-2011, 12:38 AM
Looks neat.
You're not allowed to flip it on e-bay for $500, or if you do, half goes back to the SA :)
avalonracing
05-19-2011, 07:20 AM
The 57 is way too big for you. I'll give you $50.... Okay $70, shipped.
Hawker
05-19-2011, 08:58 AM
I love the color. Overall, how is the paint and frame?
bart998
05-19-2011, 08:59 AM
You may have to set the rear dropouts to 130mm to accept the 9-speed wheel. Old bikes like this were 125mm. You may be able to flex them apart each time you put the wheel in, but it may be easier just to have your LBS cold set them and ensure frame alignment.
the ill postino
05-19-2011, 09:05 AM
BTW- stupid question... I'm thinking of upgrading the shifting to 9 speed and bar end shifters... do I need to worry about the crankset? I probably will upgrade the front as well, just want to do the rear first...
Nice find! I'm no expert, but think you're fine sticking with the crankset in the interim while you upgrade the rear. A 9 speed chain will be narrower than was originally intended for those rings, but plenty of people have coupled a biopace double with a modern 9 speed cassette I think, or so the internet told me.
the ill postino
05-19-2011, 09:09 AM
You may have to set the rear dropouts to 130mm to accept the 9-speed wheel. Old bikes like this were 125mm. You may be able to flex them apart each time you put the wheel in, but it may be easier just to have your LBS cold set them and ensure frame alignment.
And of course if this is a budget build Sheldon's instructions for cold setting (http://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-spacing.html) work quite well. If you can nudge it even a mm wider on either side you could keep it spaced in between the current 126mm and modern 130mm so it could take new or old hubs.
fourflys
05-19-2011, 09:15 AM
I love the color. Overall, how is the paint and frame?
it has a few scratches, but overall it's in very good shape... I will be replacing the pink bar tape though... ;)
fourflys
05-19-2011, 09:20 AM
Nice find! I'm no expert, but think you're fine sticking with the crankset in the interim while you upgrade the rear. A 9 speed chain will be narrower than was originally intended for those rings, but plenty of people have coupled a biopace double with a modern 9 speed cassette I think, or so the internet told me.
I'm very lucky to have Velo Cult bike shop here in San Diego... the owner, Sky, is a certified vintage bike nut (his mtn bike collection is impressive to say the least), and he said I could get away with using the biopace for a while but if I'm going to have him cold set the rear (what he recommends), it's better to do it with the BB out... so, I might as well do the front as well I guess...
I'm going to ride it as is for a while, just because... this is a project bike for me... something fun to play with that didn't cost me an arm and a leg....
thanks guys!
gemship
05-19-2011, 09:22 AM
So I went back today to buy it and since it was Wednesday I got it 50% off! So, I got a lugged, Ishawata-tubed Bridgestone for $25! The weird thing is the sizing and how it fits me... It feels really good when riding, I usually ride a 54/54.5cm top tube.. the Bridgestone measures about a 57cm and, as I said, feels great... very strange...
http://threeflys.smugmug.com/Sports/Cycling/i-9GbpHgs/0/L/Bridgestone-L.jpg
Did Grant Peterson have a hand in designing this bike? If so then it could lend toward his current philosophy regarding bike fit, the likes of Rivendells.
fourflys
05-19-2011, 09:25 AM
Did Grant Peterson have a hand in designing this bike? If so then it could lend toward his current philosophy regarding bike fit, the likes of Rivendells.
I read in an older Riv Reader that Grant did not have any hand in designing this one... but I wondered the same thing as I know from having my Bleriot that Grant would have me on one of his "57's"... I'll know more when I get out on a proper test ride... I've only done a quick ride around the neighborhood...
bobswire
05-19-2011, 09:26 AM
Nice score. Bridgestone,Centurion,Panasonic and Miyata's were all pretty nice frames back then.
gemship
05-19-2011, 09:29 AM
I read in an older Riv Reader that Grant did not have any hand in designing this one... but I wondered the same thing as I know from having my Bleriot that Grant would have me on one of his "57's"... I'll know more when I get out on a proper test ride... I've only done a quick ride around the neighborhood...
At any rate, great score! That good twenty plus mile shake down run will certainly let you know where you stand with the fit :D
PaulE
05-19-2011, 09:59 AM
Nice find. You should buy that gold over chrome Raleigh International from NY Craigslist that was talked about the other day now. It will be a good complement to this bike and you can afford to dollar cost average your collection too! :)
drewski
05-19-2011, 10:06 AM
So, I often go by the thrift stores to see if somebody has dropped off an old steel Colnago or Sachs that I can score... :rolleyes:
Well, I went by the local Salvation Army and they had a Bridgestone roadbike in the back for $50... I looked at it and since it wasn't an XO or RB series, I didn't really pay it much attention... I was messing around this morning and though I'd pull up the model to see about it... The model was a Mile112... I found it Bridgestone introduced this bike as a Triathalon-specific bike before all the aero stuff came around... The forks have a rake of something like 55 that was supposed to make it smoother for the athletes after the long swim..
Anyway, it sounds like the '86 Mile112 is about the same level as the RB2 or RB1 depending on if you get the "SE" model or not (Shimano 600 0n the SE)... this one does have the Biopace chainrings...
So I went back today to buy it and since it was Wednesday I got it 50% off! So, I got a lugged, Ishawata-tubed Bridgestone for $25! The weird thing is the sizing and how it fits me... It feels really good when riding, I usually ride a 54/54.5cm top tube.. the Bridgestone measures about a 57cm and, as I said, feels great... very strange...
anyway, I thought I'd share the story and my crappy phone pic in my messy garage... I'll get a better pic... oh yeah, it's a lavender and silver color (the only color available that year)... I don't care, I'm man enough to ride it! :hello:
http://threeflys.smugmug.com/Sports/Cycling/i-9GbpHgs/0/L/Bridgestone-L.jpg
A set of pedal dust caps cost more than the price of bicycle.
Nice Japanese mass produced road bike.
fiamme red
05-19-2011, 10:12 AM
What a score! I'm jealous.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/bridgestone/1986/pages/07-mile-112.html
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/bridgestone/1986/pages/08-mile-112.html
Ken Robb
05-19-2011, 10:13 AM
If you don't already own 9 speed wheels why not just move the shifters to bar ends (Riv sells adapter pods) and ride it for a while. I have 9speed DA shifters, wheels and all to convert my Allrounder from 7spd friction bar ends to 9 speed indexed but the 7 speed works so well I haven't been motivated to do the swap.
If the current gears work for you great--you saved some $$. If you don't really love the bike and want to keep it you can sell it as is for a decent price. If you do love it as a keeper and feel the swap will really be a worthwhile upgrade spend the $$ and enjoy it forever. The catch is that I don't think the bike will sell for a great deal more as a 9 speed than as an original 7 speed bike.
fourflys
05-19-2011, 10:31 AM
If you don't already own 9 speed wheels why not just move the shifters to bar ends (Riv sells adapter pods) and ride it for a while. I have 9speed DA shifters, wheels and all to convert my Allrounder from 7spd friction bar ends to 9 speed indexed but the 7 speed works so well I haven't been motivated to do the swap.
If the current gears work for you great--you saved some $$. If you don't really love the bike and want to keep it you can sell it as is for a decent price. If you do love it as a keeper and feel the swap will really be a worthwhile upgrade spend the $$ and enjoy it forever. The catch is that I don't think the bike will sell for a great deal more as a 9 speed than as an original 7 speed bike.
if I convert it, it will be for me to ride... I actually have a pair of Ultegra/Open Pros that already have a 9 speed cassette on it from a previous bike...
I plan to ride it for a while as it but the smallest gear on it is a 42/28, so we'll see how that goes here in the North County...
zennmotion
05-19-2011, 10:44 AM
this is a project bike for me... something fun to play with that didn't cost me an arm and a leg..
Yet.
Remember it doesn't fit?
Ken Robb
05-19-2011, 11:59 AM
My Nuovo record bike has 53-42 rings and a 14-28 7 spd freewheel so an old guy like me has to avoid routes with steep hills. A young stud like you has more options.
I have a couple of unused triple cranks with 28,26,24 rings available but I kind of like having one bike with a total classic drive train in the stable so I've left it as built.
My Allrounder has 52-42-30 Ultegra cranks with 12-34 or 32 7 speed cassette so it can be ridden almost anywhere, even by me.
fourflys
05-19-2011, 06:54 PM
So I got out for about 10 miles on the Bridgestone about an hour ago... WOW, this bike rides great! Fit feels very nice and the thing rides so relaxed and like a Cadillac going downhill... the bike just feels like it wants to go forward, once you get to about 10mph it just keeps going...
anyway, I posted some better pics over here (http://forums.thepaceline.net/showthread.php?p=941947#post941947) in the gallery...
http://threeflys.smugmug.com/Sports/Cycling/i-JfdN6cS/0/M/IMG1442-M.jpg
Very nice and a real bargain. I really like the lugs that were used on their upper level bikes.
chuckroast
05-19-2011, 07:17 PM
That thing's a beauty, I'd keep it as is and not upgrade. Think of it as your '65 Mustang.
I'd probably pull off the dork disc though. :)
fourflys
05-19-2011, 07:25 PM
I'd probably pull off the dork disc though. :)
I will, I just haven't gotten that far yet... I just picked it up yesterday and replace the brake housing and cables today...
Dekonick
05-19-2011, 07:39 PM
BTW- stupid question... I'm thinking of upgrading the shifting to 9 speed and bar end shifters... do I need to worry about the crankset? I probably will upgrade the front as well, just want to do the rear first...
Hmmm - Won't the rear spacing be 126 not 130?
Dekonick
05-19-2011, 07:42 PM
You know... that would make a REALLY nice fixed gear bike...
fourflys
05-20-2011, 09:24 AM
You know... that would make a REALLY nice fixed gear bike...
not a chance... :D
and the dork disk is off now... ;)
An excellent find.
You should have no trouble converting to 9-speed and bar ends.
I have converted several older steel bikes with 126 spacing and have had no problem. Cold setting is not required. All it takes is a little outward thumb pressure on the dropouts when you install the wheel. Also, the existing crank should work fine.
Here is my recently acquired 1989 RB-1, for which I paid the princely sum of $200. :D Now 9-speed, 130 wheels and bar ends.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/IMG_0066r4.jpg
darkadious
05-21-2011, 06:10 AM
that bridgestone is in ridiculously good condition. looks like it hasn't seen more than 100 miles.
maximus
05-21-2011, 09:39 AM
Dude, for 25 bucks that is one hell of a find. Shoot, I would have picked it up for 100 if I had seen it. Congrats.
Wife and I are hoping to make the move to SD very soon. Maybe I will spot that lavender beauty while cruising Balboa Park :)
fourflys
05-21-2011, 09:41 AM
Dude, for 25 bucks that is one hell of a find. Shoot, I would have picked it up for 100 if I had seen it. Congrats.
Wife and I are hoping to make the move to SD very soon. Maybe I will spot that lavender beauty while cruising Balboa Park :)
thanks...
you will LOVE SD! Unfortunately, my tour will be over next summer :( and I advanced myself out of any other jobs here...
fourflys
05-21-2011, 09:42 AM
Very cool RB-1, those are on my radar now... and great score yourself!
thanks for the info!
Chris
An excellent find.
You should have no trouble converting to 9-speed and bar ends.
I have converted several older steel bikes with 126 spacing and have had no problem. Cold setting is not required. All it takes is a little outward thumb pressure on the dropouts when you install the wheel. Also, the existing crank should work fine.
Here is my recently acquired 1989 RB-1, for which I paid the princely sum of $200. :D Now 9-speed, 130 wheels and bar ends.
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b384/RCopple/IMG_0066r4.jpg
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