Rebuilding a 1990 Bridgestone RB2 as a gravel grinder/commuter.
07-30-14, 03:17 PM
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Rebuilding a 1990 Bridgestone RB2 as a gravel grinder/commuter.
I have stripped the frame bare. Forgetting the wisdom of it, any reason I can't just rebuild with a SRAM Rival build kit, and some new wheels?
The consensus is that 10 speed wheels (130mm) with fit and a 168 English threaded gxp BB should fit.
The consensus is that 10 speed wheels (130mm) with fit and a 168 English threaded gxp BB should fit.
07-30-14, 03:51 PM
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It certainly has a 68 mm English bottom bracket and the rear dropouts are most likely 130 mm so go for it. Even if the rear spacing turns out to be 126 mm, fitting a 130 mm hub should cause no problems.
BTW, there is a BOB (Bridgestone Owners Bunch) web site that will tell you more than you ever wanted to know about vintage Bridgestone bikes.
BTW, there is a BOB (Bridgestone Owners Bunch) web site that will tell you more than you ever wanted to know about vintage Bridgestone bikes.
07-30-14, 06:23 PM
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My 1994 RB2 will just take 28mm tires. The fork crown is the tight spot. This might limit the use on gravel but otherwise your plan should work fine.
07-30-14, 07:08 PM
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the races to Roubaix over the cobblestones are on mostly 25mm sew-ups .. & they do a 25mph rate typically ..
07-30-14, 07:12 PM
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I recently tried mounting some 700X32 CX tires on my '93 RB2, no go, neither front nor rear. Ten speed 130 mm hub, no problem.
Also, I thought 1993 was the last year these bikes were produced?
Also, I thought 1993 was the last year these bikes were produced?
07-30-14, 08:00 PM
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Maybe 650B will allow you to run the tires you like.
07-30-14, 08:32 PM
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Bridgestone just dropped the US market for Bikes, they just make them for Japan , they do quite well selling Automobile tires here.
07-31-14, 07:09 AM
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09-28-14, 06:02 PM
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I have a 1990 RB2 as well and it will fit 35mm tires. They have more cllearance than the later 92-94 models. Mine has a triple crank and bar end shifters. Concensus on iBob archives is the 90 was predecessor to the RBT. I currently have 28s and fenders for commuting and there is a ton of room, 32s and fenders easy. I had a 94 RB2 that would fit 28,s barely.
Good luck,
Tom Palmr
Twin Lake, MI
Good luck,
Tom Palmr
Twin Lake, MI
10-15-14, 06:48 AM
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Bikes: Salsa Podio (SRAM Rival Shifters & Derailers, Red BB and Cranks, Ritchie almost everywhere else); Steve Bauer Boreas (Shimano 105); Bridgestone RB 2 (Mixed group); Bridgestone MB 2 (Mostly XT)
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All finished
Bike came out great, although I still need to monkey with the chain length. I rode a 70 mile gravel grinder (the Dirty 40 in Vermont) two weeks after I finished it without incident. The bike did very well. I can't say the same about me!
