Bridgestone bicycles
02-13-15, 09:09 PM
#51
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Hello all,
i know this thread is crazy old, but i am in need of a bridgestone expert. i recently got lucky and found a Grand Velo 2000 with all original everything and it even looks great for a ridiculously amazing price lol. while im no bike expert in any form, i do understand (through research) that this bike is one i should probably keep hold of for a while. so anyways, this one may be a bit different? im only saying this because theres coca cola stickers all over it, but not like stickers that someone would just slap on to make it look cool or cover something up. so with that being said, is there anything special about all of this? or did the previous owner just have some obsession w/ coke? lol. i don't have any pictures of them, but i'll be getting some within the next couple days.
so please, can any bridgestone gurus please chim in?!?!
thank you!
i know this thread is crazy old, but i am in need of a bridgestone expert. i recently got lucky and found a Grand Velo 2000 with all original everything and it even looks great for a ridiculously amazing price lol. while im no bike expert in any form, i do understand (through research) that this bike is one i should probably keep hold of for a while. so anyways, this one may be a bit different? im only saying this because theres coca cola stickers all over it, but not like stickers that someone would just slap on to make it look cool or cover something up. so with that being said, is there anything special about all of this? or did the previous owner just have some obsession w/ coke? lol. i don't have any pictures of them, but i'll be getting some within the next couple days.
so please, can any bridgestone gurus please chim in?!?!
thank you!
09-13-15, 05:40 PM
#52
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I have a 1986 Bridgestone Grand Velo 3100 that I still ride quite a bit, that is until just recently when my rear derailleur hanger bent so that the chain is so far out of alignment that it can't be turned. Although I could be dead wrong, I was under the impression, at least back then, that the frame had a lifetime warranty if it was damaged from normal wear and tear, and not from a crash or something like that. If that is the case, does anybody know if I possibly have any recourse, given that they don't appear to be sold in this country anymore?
09-13-15, 07:28 PM
#53
Senior Member
personally i'd recourse to a pliers and just bend it back. it would be fun to see if shipping the frame back to Japan actually got a return, but realistically.. it seems much easier to just fix it yourself.
09-13-15, 10:29 PM
#54
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I owned two 1985/86 Bridgestone 400 road bikes, the low end of their "good" line at the time, and I've followed Bridgestone's and Petersen's trials and tribulations since. First, I've never heard of any routine frame failures so that may be a false rumor. Others will have to chime in here with more accurate information.
Second, the Grant Petersen-era at Bridgestone was technically interesting but a marketing and sales disaster. The bikes were well made but he imposed his eccentric opinions and ideas on their components saying they were what riders should want. Potential customers voted with their feet and bought elsewhere and after a few years under his direction, Bridgestone withdrew from the US market.
Grant then went on to found Rivendell Cycle Works which allowed him unfettered ability to market off-beat and obsolete equipment by claiming it's better for you. The company has flirted with bankruptcy since it's founding. It now seems to be financially viable by selling expensive touring frames and appealing to the small minority of "retro-grouches" and those who yearn for the past in bike technology. I wish him well but he did Bridgestone no favors.
Second, the Grant Petersen-era at Bridgestone was technically interesting but a marketing and sales disaster. The bikes were well made but he imposed his eccentric opinions and ideas on their components saying they were what riders should want. Potential customers voted with their feet and bought elsewhere and after a few years under his direction, Bridgestone withdrew from the US market.
Grant then went on to found Rivendell Cycle Works which allowed him unfettered ability to market off-beat and obsolete equipment by claiming it's better for you. The company has flirted with bankruptcy since it's founding. It now seems to be financially viable by selling expensive touring frames and appealing to the small minority of "retro-grouches" and those who yearn for the past in bike technology. I wish him well but he did Bridgestone no favors.
Every single one of my bikes is "obsolete", and by your definition, most of the posters here. BTW, all the Japanese built bikes from that era are gone, some live on by their logo only. The yen to dollar exchange rate didn't do any of 'em any favor.
The retrogrouch market isn't large enough to support a nationwide network of dealers, probably never will be. Grant's not about the money, never will be. Rather than push the latest fad, he actually sells something he believes in. You can disagree with what he likes, but there's a lot of people who put a value in someone running a business on principles instead of making money. And, yes, a belief that there was a lot about bikes made "back then" that were better.
But if you're buying a vintage Bridgestone, you're probably paying a premium for the association with Mr. Petersen, I'll "grant" you that.
__________________
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
If someone tells you that you have enough bicycles and you don't need any more, stop talking to them. You don't need that kind of negativity in your life.
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09-14-15, 05:50 AM
#55
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Uh, you do know that you're posting on the C&V forum, don't you?
Every single one of my bikes is "obsolete", and by your definition, most of the posters here. BTW, all the Japanese built bikes from that era are gone, some live on by their logo only. The yen to dollar exchange rate didn't do any of 'em any favor.
The retrogrouch market isn't large enough to support a nationwide network of dealers, probably never will be. Grant's not about the money, never will be. Rather than push the latest fad, he actually sells something he believes in. You can disagree with what he likes, but there's a lot of people who put a value in someone running a business on principles instead of making money. And, yes, a belief that there was a lot about bikes made "back then" that were better.
But if you're buying a vintage Bridgestone, you're probably paying a premium for the association with Mr. Petersen, I'll "grant" you that.
Every single one of my bikes is "obsolete", and by your definition, most of the posters here. BTW, all the Japanese built bikes from that era are gone, some live on by their logo only. The yen to dollar exchange rate didn't do any of 'em any favor.
The retrogrouch market isn't large enough to support a nationwide network of dealers, probably never will be. Grant's not about the money, never will be. Rather than push the latest fad, he actually sells something he believes in. You can disagree with what he likes, but there's a lot of people who put a value in someone running a business on principles instead of making money. And, yes, a belief that there was a lot about bikes made "back then" that were better.
But if you're buying a vintage Bridgestone, you're probably paying a premium for the association with Mr. Petersen, I'll "grant" you that.
Well said @gugie and...I own one of each of the "marquee" bikes from that era of Bridgestone (RB-1, RB-T, XO-1...only missing the MB-0)...and they are quite nice bikes to ride...each is different, but all ride really nicely. I would put them up against any bike made today...they RIDE very nicely...they are not RACE bikes...but, if most people were honest with themselves, they will never compete in the TdF! :-) So, who is really racing??
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09-14-15, 06:17 AM
#56
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I have a 1986 Bridgestone Grand Velo 3100 that I still ride quite a bit, that is until just recently when my rear derailleur hanger bent so that the chain is so far out of alignment that it can't be turned. Although I could be dead wrong, I was under the impression, at least back then, that the frame had a lifetime warranty if it was damaged from normal wear and tear, and not from a crash or something like that. If that is the case, does anybody know if I possibly have any recourse, given that they don't appear to be sold in this country anymore?
09-14-15, 06:22 AM
#57
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+10
Well said @gugie and...I own one of each of the "marquee" bikes from that era of Bridgestone (RB-1, RB-T, XO-1...only missing the MB-0)...and they are quite nice bikes to ride...each is different, but all ride really nicely. I would put them up against any bike made today...they RIDE very nicely...they are not RACE bikes...but, if most people were honest with themselves, they will never compete in the TdF! :-) So, who is really racing??
Well said @gugie and...I own one of each of the "marquee" bikes from that era of Bridgestone (RB-1, RB-T, XO-1...only missing the MB-0)...and they are quite nice bikes to ride...each is different, but all ride really nicely. I would put them up against any bike made today...they RIDE very nicely...they are not RACE bikes...but, if most people were honest with themselves, they will never compete in the TdF! :-) So, who is really racing??
09-14-15, 10:10 PM
#58
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So this bike is pre-Grant Petersen. Restoration in progress.
I like the BS logo on the back fender.
I like the BS logo on the back fender.
09-26-15, 01:52 PM
#59
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On the fence with the XO-3
A local seller is offering an XO-3 in poor shape for $125. It wouldn't be hard to git it up to snuff with new cables, and a front skewer, which is missing. I don't really trust the seller, though, he attached the font wheel by compressing the forks and using the cone locknuts on the outside - weird. The purple paint has some bad scrapes and grinds, so I'd live with it as a beater, and that's OK. What I'm wondering is, since I already own several cross bikes from the 90's; Miyata TripleCross, Specialized Crossroads, Bianchi Boardwalk, etc., all having CroMo frames and 700C wheels, would the Bridgestone XO-3 offer anything unique? It doesn't even have lugs like my Miyata and Bianchi, but I am curious about riding a 90's steel cross with 26" wheels, like the XO-2 - that should prove to be different. Please share any anecdotal reflections on the advantages of the smaller-wheeled Bridgestones, which I'd use as the others - an urban/trail beater with 38-40C hybrid tires.
12-08-15, 02:46 AM
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Bridgestone rb1
I am a proud owner of Bridgestone RB1 in INDIA, delhi but hard to find sleek tyres here 
I've been reading about Bridgestone bicycles on Sheldon Brown's webpage: Bridgestone Bicycles
It sounds as if the Grant Petersen-era Bridgestones are great bikes, and I'm thinking of trying to find one. I've heard, however, that Bridgestones are prone to break at the headtube. Is this true?
Also, what would be a fair price for, say, an RB-1 or RB-2 in good condition?
Thanks.
It sounds as if the Grant Petersen-era Bridgestones are great bikes, and I'm thinking of trying to find one. I've heard, however, that Bridgestones are prone to break at the headtube. Is this true?
Also, what would be a fair price for, say, an RB-1 or RB-2 in good condition?
Thanks.
12-08-15, 04:32 AM
#63
Still learning
09-14-17, 07:20 PM
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Anyone have a 1992 Bridgestone Bike catalog for sale?
I'm hoping to cheer up a friend, and we gushed over the catalog, i bought my first Bridgestone bike that year.
Or any info where i can buy one would be cool.. Thanks, all.
I'm hoping to cheer up a friend, and we gushed over the catalog, i bought my first Bridgestone bike that year.
Or any info where i can buy one would be cool.. Thanks, all.
09-14-17, 07:28 PM
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09-14-17, 08:39 PM
#66
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Hello all,
i know this thread is crazy old, but i am in need of a bridgestone expert. i recently got lucky and found a Grand Velo 2000 with all original everything and it even looks great for a ridiculously amazing price lol. while im no bike expert in any form, i do understand (through research) that this bike is one i should probably keep hold of for a while. so anyways, this one may be a bit different? im only saying this because theres coca cola stickers all over it, but not like stickers that someone would just slap on to make it look cool or cover something up. so with that being said, is there anything special about all of this? or did the previous owner just have some obsession w/ coke? lol. i don't have any pictures of them, but i'll be getting some within the next couple days.
so please, can any bridgestone gurus please chim in?!?!
thank you!
i know this thread is crazy old, but i am in need of a bridgestone expert. i recently got lucky and found a Grand Velo 2000 with all original everything and it even looks great for a ridiculously amazing price lol. while im no bike expert in any form, i do understand (through research) that this bike is one i should probably keep hold of for a while. so anyways, this one may be a bit different? im only saying this because theres coca cola stickers all over it, but not like stickers that someone would just slap on to make it look cool or cover something up. so with that being said, is there anything special about all of this? or did the previous owner just have some obsession w/ coke? lol. i don't have any pictures of them, but i'll be getting some within the next couple days.
so please, can any bridgestone gurus please chim in?!?!
thank you!
06-14-18, 05:38 PM
#67
Rider
Rb2
I bought an RB2 in 1988. Rode it a lot for many years and then life, kids, etc hit. Stopped riding but kept the bike for all since. I’ve started rebuilding and need a crankshaft. The original is pretty pitted on one side bearing race. Anyone have any ideas?
06-14-18, 05:54 PM
#68
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Welcome!
06-14-18, 06:16 PM
#69
Rider
New thread for rebuild
You should start a new thread that is focused on your rebuild, and post lots of pics! Measure your spindle length and you can either try to find a spindle in the same length (like by Sunlite, or at the local co-op), or you could get a Shimano or Tange sealed bottom bracket of the same length, which are inexpensive and maintenance-free.
Welcome!
Welcome!
06-14-18, 06:28 PM
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Hmmm... it's funny how much traction a Bridgestone thread still gets...
I've owned (& still own) a few Bridgestones & I have yet to be dissatisfied; I quite like them. The only reason I sold my old RB-2 was because it ultimately proved to be too short for real comfort; that said, it rode beautifully, even in bad weather.
As it is, there's still a Bridgestone on my 'grail' list: a late 1980s/ early '90s Eurasia EA-S2-560. Restoring one of these would make for a fun project at some point.
-
I've owned (& still own) a few Bridgestones & I have yet to be dissatisfied; I quite like them. The only reason I sold my old RB-2 was because it ultimately proved to be too short for real comfort; that said, it rode beautifully, even in bad weather.
As it is, there's still a Bridgestone on my 'grail' list: a late 1980s/ early '90s Eurasia EA-S2-560. Restoring one of these would make for a fun project at some point.
-
Last edited by DIMcyclist; 06-15-18 at 01:29 PM.
06-14-18, 06:50 PM
#72
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06-14-18, 06:55 PM
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Really dig the saddle, too- is that an Ideale? I've become quite fascinated with Bridgestone's non-export frames over the past few years. There's a lot to be learned there.
Last edited by DIMcyclist; 06-14-18 at 06:58 PM.
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06-14-18, 07:06 PM
#74
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There's a little information on the frame online- it's not really lugged, it's sort of socketed. It was used on a bunch of different models. Not light, but really strong. I still have the original parts. The Mafac racer knockoff brakes work better than Mafac racers, too.
06-15-18, 07:27 AM
#75
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There's a little information on the frame online- it's not really lugged, it's sort of socketed. It was used on a bunch of different models. Not light, but really strong. I still have the original parts. The Mafac racer knockoff brakes work better than Mafac racers, too.
The disadvantage was that the lugs were bulky, having to be thick, long and square ended to hold the tubes. They attempted to improve the aesthetics by incorporating faux spear points into the castings. The lugs were also brittle and there were several early failures of the ears for the seat post binder bolt, resulting in a move to quill style seat post with an expander bolt, similar to a handlebar stem.
