For Sale: 1993 Bridgestone RB-1/7
For Sale: 1993 Bridgestone RB-1/7, a set on Flickr.
UPDATE: Bike is now sold!
Selling my virtually all-original 1993 Bridgestone RB-1/7 racing bicycle.
Frame numbers: "H221867" on BB, "520831" printed on underside of down tube
Size: 57.5cm center-to-top; 57cm top tube.
If you're reading this, you likely know what the RB-1 is. Unique to the 1993 year, the RB-1 came in two flavors: the red RB-1/7 with barcon shifters and a 14-speed drive train as seen here, and -- as concession to the market forces of the day -- a yellow RB-1/8 16-speed version with STI controls. Only 1000 units of each were produced.
The 1993 model of this bicycle best exemplifies, in my opinion, the legendary status that this bicycle has attained during the past twenty years. The exquisite Ritchey-designed biplane fork crown was introduced in this year. The bold white panel downtube decals were also only used in 1993. The red RB-1/7 best represents Grant Peterson's ideal component choices -- the combination of bar-end shifters, MKS pedals, Suntour Superbe Pro brakes and levers, Ritchey Tom Slick tires, and 7-speed 105 rear hub are unique to this version.
I am the original owner of this bike. I purchased it during the Bridgestone Owners Bunch clearance sale that took place during the late summer of 1994 as Bridgestone USA was shutting down. I have all the original documents related to the original purchase, the owner's manual, the original unopened lawyer tabs (!!!), and the coveted 1993 Bridgestone catalog.
This bicycle has been ridden under 5000 miles in only fair weather, has never been crashed, has been meticulously cared for: the few paint nicks have been carefully touched up, the frame has had Framesaver applied, etc. It is 99% original: the stock rear Ritchey Vantage Comp rim developed cracks around several spoke holes, so it was replaced with a NOS Mavic MA-2 rim. The rear rim, rim tape, inner tube, and handlebar tape are non-original. For the serious collector, I still have the original rear rim and rim tape and will include those. The brake pads, tires, chain, rear cassette, cables, housing, and everything else are original to this bicycle. The tri-color Shimano 600 logo on the rear derailleur even still has the original clear protective film. The cranks are 172.5mm instead of the specified 175mm length -- I swapped those out when I first purchased the bike; however they are the identical FC-6400 model that was original specification.
I will also include touch-up paint, a shorter 120mm Ritchey Force stem, a set of Continental Ultra 1000 700x28 tires, and a Shimano 13-26 7spd cassette with the purchase of this bicycle.
I'm selling this bike because frankly I haven't ridden it more than three times in the past five years. It doesn't fit me that well anymore (as I've entered my 40s, I'm preferring larger frames and higher handlebars now), and my interests lie in randonneuring bikes these days.
Asking $900. Shipping extra.