Bridgestone RB-1 - Modify or Original?
06-24-20, 01:43 PM
#1
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Bridgestone RB-1 - Modify or Original?
I have a '92 Bridgestone RB-1 that I am thinking about selling. I have made some modifications over the years. I want to get some opinions of whether I should sell it with the modifications or return it to all original components. I swapped out the Avocet Racing saddle for the one shown. I converted from 7 speed to 8 speed. I swapped out the original Dia Compe BR300 brake calipers for 600/Ultegra to match the other components. I swapped out the bars, stem and bar end shifters for different bars, stem and Shimano (105) STIs. My question is should I return it to all the original components or sell with the modifications? I will be selling locally so I don’t know whether there will be a lot of collectors interested.
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Last edited by rjhammett; 06-24-20 at 02:01 PM.
06-24-20, 01:48 PM
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Original. If the stuff you added works for you, keep it for another build. I think buyers of RB-1's are likely to want original components.
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06-24-20, 08:11 PM
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The RB-1 is one of the few bikes that would benefit from having the stock parts on. So, if you've got them- this is the time.
Realistically, I'm guessing the parts you put on it are worth more than the parts that came on it- you'd have a better chance of selling the better parts and not losing as much money than attempting to make that money on a whole bike.
Realistically, I'm guessing the parts you put on it are worth more than the parts that came on it- you'd have a better chance of selling the better parts and not losing as much money than attempting to make that money on a whole bike.
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06-24-20, 08:14 PM
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I do have all the original parts. I was't sure if as many people would be interested in a bike with barcons as opposed to STIs.
06-24-20, 09:39 PM
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That bike specifically is maybe an exception because it has some odd cult following.
Usually though, around me you could get a good bit more $ for a road bike being modernized with STI than with older downtube/bar end shifting.
A $250 refurbished downtube bike is $400 with STI.
Usually though, around me you could get a good bit more $ for a road bike being modernized with STI than with older downtube/bar end shifting.
A $250 refurbished downtube bike is $400 with STI.
06-25-20, 03:04 AM
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Only because it’s an RB-1, would the original parts have ‘value’ and in that case, it would be for ‘collectors’ You might be able to get more money than this way, but might take longer to find the right buyer.
The bike would probably generate more demand from ‘riders’ with the upgrades, because that would be what I would do.
Maybe able to get the same money as original condition, but would definitely generate more demand with modernized parts on it.
The bike would probably generate more demand from ‘riders’ with the upgrades, because that would be what I would do.
Maybe able to get the same money as original condition, but would definitely generate more demand with modernized parts on it.
06-25-20, 08:10 AM
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You could advertise it as a rider with the current parts, but mention in the ad that the original parts are available. That way, it may sell faster, but if a collector sees the ad, they'll know they can get the original parts as well.
06-25-20, 09:49 AM
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Bridgestone RB-1 - Modify or Original?
I had posted to this thread:
I normally don’t read the C&V Forum, but I noticed this zombie thread as a New Post. I bought a Bridgestone RB-1 in the mid-1980’s that looked something like this one:
I bought the Bridgestone because it fit. Iwas flattered when occasional cyclists commented and admired it.
Sheldon Brown, whom I had never even knew of while alive in Boston, wrote: :
Unfortunately in 2012, I was hit from behind by a hit-and-run, who turned himself in the next day...
Police photos
Just last week, since I need new cycling shoes, I called the police to retrieve my old ones. My accident was a news sensation at that time. and the dispatcher remembered it. He was very responsive, but unfortunately could nof find the shoes, much less the bike,
It never occurred to me to retrieve the components, many which may have been original.
It was the start of phase three of four of my decades-long cycling lifestyle.
Only because it’s an RB-1, would the original parts have ‘value’ and in that case, it would be for ‘collectors’ You might be able to get more money than this way, but might take longer to find the right buyer.
The bike would probably generate more demand from ‘riders’ with the upgrades, because that would be what I would do.
Maybe able to get the same money as original condition, but would definitely generate more demand with modernized parts on it.
The bike would probably generate more demand from ‘riders’ with the upgrades, because that would be what I would do.
Maybe able to get the same money as original condition, but would definitely generate more demand with modernized parts on it.
I normally don’t read the C&V Forum, but I noticed this zombie thread as a New Post. I bought a Bridgestone RB-1 in the mid-1980’s that looked something like this one:
I bought the Bridgestone because it fit. Iwas flattered when occasional cyclists commented and admired it.
Sheldon Brown, whom I had never even knew of while alive in Boston, wrote: :
Originally Posted by Sheldon Brown
Bridgestone "road" bikes, particularly the legendary RB-1, combine frame design taken from classic Italian road bikes of the '70's with excellent Japanese workmanship and functional, reliable parts.
The RB-1 was extremely popular with racers, and held its own against competing models costing hundreds of dollars more.
https://sheldonbrown.com/bridgestone/
The RB-1 was extremely popular with racers, and held its own against competing models costing hundreds of dollars more.
https://sheldonbrown.com/bridgestone/
Police photos
It never occurred to me to retrieve the components, many which may have been original.
It was the start of phase three of four of my decades-long cycling lifestyle.
Last edited by Jim from Boston; 06-25-20 at 10:04 AM.
06-25-20, 10:18 AM
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The components themselves, while good quality period parts, aren’t in and of themselves that unique, as opposed to something like the black-and-gold Suntour Superbe Pro group fitted to the Cannondale Black Lightning.
06-25-20, 11:36 AM
#10
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I was actually thinking of doing that.
06-27-20, 04:44 PM
#11
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I decided to go back to all original. I liked the ride of the modified version but thought a collector would want original.
06-29-20, 11:59 AM
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The original parts are not worth much, but the bike with original spec is what collectors want. But I don't think that adds any significant value. RB-1's never had top of the line parts -or even a complete groupset, IIRC. Part of Grant Petersen's genius (madness?) was mixing and matching to get the best bang for the buck. And to stick with tried and true tech instead of what he felt was just the newest fads. He was a big advocate for friction shifting when everyone was going to index, single pivot brakes (Royal Gran Compes) instead of dual pivot (Ultegra), barcons instead of STI (still have a friction option)...
The frames themselves were nice, but any not nicer than other comparable Japanese mid level bikes. I did appreciate the subtle for the time aesthetics. There was nothing loud or obnoxious about Bridgestone paintjobs. They just looked good.
And they rode great too. The road bikes put you into a long low position, as opposed to a hunched over "slam the stem" position. Flat back, but long(ish) wheelbase. Room for 700x28 tires.
I love mine (currently built with Campy 10 sp) but would never pay a premium to get one all original.
The frames themselves were nice, but any not nicer than other comparable Japanese mid level bikes. I did appreciate the subtle for the time aesthetics. There was nothing loud or obnoxious about Bridgestone paintjobs. They just looked good.
And they rode great too. The road bikes put you into a long low position, as opposed to a hunched over "slam the stem" position. Flat back, but long(ish) wheelbase. Room for 700x28 tires.
I love mine (currently built with Campy 10 sp) but would never pay a premium to get one all original.
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06-29-20, 10:10 PM
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I like posting the add with an as
is
price
but throw in the fact that you have the original parts available.
is
price
but throw in the fact that you have the original parts available.
