the cult is real - '91 Bridgestone RB-1

[br0qn]

several months ago I was posting want ads locally for a 50cm '91 dark green / tusk RB-1. I received one response for the color I wanted but it was a little rough and the price was high, and it had the stripe decals removed which killed it for me. Also offered up was a same year "rich red" that was much more local and frame only for a better price so I picked it up.

initially I was going to build it up as a townie for my girlfriend




but she took one look at it and said "sell it"

mocked it up with the bullmoose and tried to squeeze the 700x33s in but no dice on both accounts, the quill was bottoming out here.




I thought I'd build it up for myself though I really need to get the GT wrapped up first and though this is the year/size I'd want, I'd be willing to hold out for the green/tusk. So rather than just sell the frameset on (the PO was generous enough to offer to buy it back after I told him what my GF said ;D) I decided I wanted to at least build and ride it and try and sell it complete (fool's errand, but here we are)



just seeing what the frame looks like with some black bits. The DEAN post was originally intended for one of the Bonty's but was fat for a 26.8. I though maybe fat enough to hold tight in the 27.0 seat tube but no. Stem is meant for the GT and those bars are meant for a one day cockpit change on the Voodoo but I like the wheels on here

 

[br0qn]

DA10 kit




and the cockpit is chosen

 

[br0qn]

fast forward some months and it's done





















rides so well, lived up to the hype.

and I built this Wheeler right along side it and, with the help of a buddy, they got their simultaneous shake down rides too.



I was certain the LBS was going to have to bale me out at some point but these are the first builds I've done with 0 help, almost couldn't believe they worked!

 

[br0qn]

Frame - 1991 Bridgestone RB-1 50cm
Fork - original Ishiwata CroMo
Headset - original Hatta
Wheelset - Ultegra 6800 rear hub/hoop w/bladed spokes : HED Ardennes front hub/hoop w/ bladed spokes , skewers are HED/Bontrager
Tires - vittoria corsa control 28mm
Front Derailleur - DA 7800 w/ KCNC alloy clamp
Rear Derailleur - DA 7800 w/ avid rollamajig
Chain - Ultegra 10spd
Cassette - DA7800 12-26
Bottom Bracket - DA7700
Crankset - Ultegra 6500 170mm long with 53/39 rings
Stem - 3t Mutant quill 110mm
Bars - nos modolo curvissima kx carbon fiber 420mm wrapped in supacaz supersticky kush
Levers - DA7800 2x10
Seatpost - thomson elite 27.0
Saddle - Black perforated Flite Ti rails
Brakes - DA 7800

cables are all SimWorks x Nissen, Arundel cage, KCNC cage bolts and IRD downtube guides

 

[chickendrumsticks]

Kinda cute, if I may say.

 

[br0qn]

Kinda cute, if I may say.

i'll take that =P

 

[dirttorpedo]

Nice. I've been tempted to pick up an RB-1 over the years.

 

[vtwinvince]

Nice bike with my fave groupset. And thank you for not running it with bullmoose bars.

 

[slackboy]

Nice bike, and love the photo quality

 

[br0qn]

Nice. I've been tempted to pick up an RB-1 over the years.

if one comes up in your size for a fair price, do it. without going overboard, I'll say they're nice bikes. they look great, tire clearance is great given the age.

Nice bike with my fave groupset. And thank you for not running it with bullmoose bars.

man 7800 is slick as hell. took me a minute to warm to the aesthetics on the crank, but i am into it. runs nice, beautiful curves...i'd have run a 7800 crank on this build too if I'd had one short enough for a 50cm frame.

as for the bullmoose. . . it didn't look quite right, for sure, but it is a rivendell item

Nice bike, and love the photo quality

what you doing over here in road land? ;D
thanks dude <3