I just got home from picking up this 1992 Rocky Mountain Vertex. Handbuilt in Canada, the only year the Vertex didn't have an aluminium frame!
I actually bought it a few weeks ago from a guy on Marketplace, but needed to find the time to make the 2 hour drive to pick it up... It's officially the longest drive I've ever taken for a bike!
As you probably noticed, it's hard to tell for sure that this is really a Vertex : it is built with random parts, some older and some more modern (but very few original parts unfortunately...). The main decals are also not original (they should be pink, not yellow).
I was sceptical at first, but there are some clues confirming that this is the real deal :
- The serial number, V1136, is hand punched and has the correct format.
- Some of the decals appear to be legit : the one on the top tube mentions it being "Handbuild" and is the right color. The one on the seat tube mentions that the tubing used is Tange Prestige Concept, which is what these Vertex were made of.
- As for the frame itself, the cable stops are at the right place. The stays are standard (not "wishbone" style like the Équipe for example). There is no mounting points for a rack, indicating a higher end model. The welds are thin and clean.
- The paint color is accurate (and gorgeous by the way!)
My plan for now is to disassemble it. Assuming that I won't have any unpleasant surprises, the next steps will be to :
- Replace the parts for something more period correct. I should have most of that at home, but I might have to go on a treasure hunt for a thing or two.
- Find a fork. I have a Rockshox Mag that should fit, but it doesn't hold air... I'll have to repair it or find something else...
- Have replacement decals made. The yellow ones are nice, but I'd like to have them in pink like the original.
Should be fun! The pictures :
I actually bought it a few weeks ago from a guy on Marketplace, but needed to find the time to make the 2 hour drive to pick it up... It's officially the longest drive I've ever taken for a bike!
As you probably noticed, it's hard to tell for sure that this is really a Vertex : it is built with random parts, some older and some more modern (but very few original parts unfortunately...). The main decals are also not original (they should be pink, not yellow).
I was sceptical at first, but there are some clues confirming that this is the real deal :
- The serial number, V1136, is hand punched and has the correct format.
- Some of the decals appear to be legit : the one on the top tube mentions it being "Handbuild" and is the right color. The one on the seat tube mentions that the tubing used is Tange Prestige Concept, which is what these Vertex were made of.
- As for the frame itself, the cable stops are at the right place. The stays are standard (not "wishbone" style like the Équipe for example). There is no mounting points for a rack, indicating a higher end model. The welds are thin and clean.
- The paint color is accurate (and gorgeous by the way!)
My plan for now is to disassemble it. Assuming that I won't have any unpleasant surprises, the next steps will be to :
- Replace the parts for something more period correct. I should have most of that at home, but I might have to go on a treasure hunt for a thing or two.
- Find a fork. I have a Rockshox Mag that should fit, but it doesn't hold air... I'll have to repair it or find something else...
- Have replacement decals made. The yellow ones are nice, but I'd like to have them in pink like the original.
Should be fun! The pictures :
I actually went the opposite way, past Québec city.
