jotog

This is a free bike, saved from the last mile to the landfill. Has anyone ever heard of Rabasa Derbi? On the seat tube it says MADE IN SPAIN. I found this on the web: "1922 - DERBI was founded by Simeon Rabasa Singla as a bicycle repair shop in 1922. The shop soon expanded and Mr. Rabasa had to buy new bays to cover the production of bicycles." Anyone have a clue? Thanks, Joe

TheOtherGuy

Never heard of that one... RAZESA yes, but never Rabasa. Enjoy it though!

clayface

They built bicycles well into the 90's. Quality was average. Derbi are better known for their mopeds and small capacity motorbikes, which are still in production. From time to time it's possible to spot one on the road, but mainly MTB's.

Roberto

jotog

Roberto, Thanks for the information. It is nice to have a Spanish bike.

sbridgen

I have just come to own a Rabasa as well. If anyone has any more knowledge of these bicycles, please post. It seems that the quality is pretty decent; mine has Simplex derailers. I'm going to use it for a commuter bike.

titotoma

Rabasa was founded in 1922 by Simeon Rabasa in Catalunya (SPAIN).

In the middle of XX century Derby merge Rabasa becoming Derbi-Rabasa.

They had a production of 15.000 bikes per year till 1992.

Here you can find the new about its closing in 1992. (spanish newspaper)

Pics about different models and catalog can be seen here.

What not many people knows is that Rabasa is back since 2011. ( I just found out 1h ago ) https://rabasacycle.com/ but the truth is that I haven't seen one of these new bikes in the streets or bikeshop so I will try to contact them

I live in Madrid, and its a common bike in every critical mass event. There are many happy riders using old Rabasa Bikes. I'm actually trying to bring back to life an old Rabasa Corsa so i can give it to my father as a birthday present.

juvela

in about 1971 there was a retail bike shop in Oakland California which did direct importation of Rabasa road frames in bare metal. they were pretty rough looking base model type frames. their top tube brake cable casing guides were made of bent wire and resembled the guides on a fishing rod.

iirc the shop was called Rideable Replicas and manufactured penny farthing replica cycles.

Michael Angelo 

A nine year Zombie awakens.........

NormanF

CV threads NEVER die!

juvela

who knew george romero was a c&v enthusiast...

iab

Spanish bikes in general get little play here.

Giacomo 1 

True enough.

But besides Zeus, I don't think to many made it to our shores, and even they are here in small numbers.

TLaurent 

Fifteen years and two days ago, my uncle Joe jotog started this post. Sadly, he passed away this most recent 4th of July and we miss him dearly. I visited him a week before and we talked about bikes and the Rabasa was the only one that he still had. He let me take it out and it rode very smooth up and down Pinion Hills in Salida, CO. He put mustache handlebars and blue tires on it to match the frame. It’s an awesome bike that will sit in another uncle’s garage until I get back to Colorado to ride it again. I will try to post a photo that I took of it in late June but don’t know if I have enough posts yet to do so.

P!N20

Sad news, but wonderful you will have his bike to remember him by. Looking forward to seeing some photos.

TLaurent 

Thx P!N20 . I have another 5 posts or so before bf will allow me to share a photo.

TLaurent 

Thought that posted this already. Closing the chapter on jotog (Uncle Joe) post.

Murray Missile 

Very cool bike, I hope it's next chapter is a long and happy one.

Wildwood 

As an old guy with old bikes -and no current intention to sell - I hope mine find homes with numerous younger male relatives (doubtful) or friends.