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What wheelset for an '89 RB-1?

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What wheelset for an '89 RB-1?

Old 11-26-09, 11:49 AM
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What wheelset for an '89 RB-1?

I just acquired a black and white 1989 Bridgestone RB-1 that fits me like a glove. Photos coming, camera battery is dead, but its in pretty good overall shape with some wear from riding. Will need to treat a few spots, and touch up some paint, and am looking forward to the project.

Save for the wheels, everything is original SunTour GPX (SL,Bl, FD, RD, cranks). The front wheel still has the original GPX hub laced to a Wolber GTX rim, but the rear is Performance wheel with a Shimano 7speed freewheel. I'm thinking I want to go with a matched set of something, and didn't see a GPX rear hub for sale anywhere that I might get to match what's there.

So, any suggestions on what to consider? I've got a budget of about $100, give or take.
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Old 11-26-09, 12:25 PM
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Look for a set of Shimano 600 hubs laced to either Arayas or Wolbers, much like your front wheel. You'll have to swap the GPX freewheel over, since your GPX shifters won't shift a Shimano freewheel nearly as well as the Suntour. In fact, you may need to double-check that freewheel, since it's not on the OEM hub. If someone swapped it for a Shimano, you may need to find a Suntour 7-sp freewheel.

If you can find someone with an '89 Ironman Expert that they've stripped for parts, the wheels are nearly identical, Suntour GPX hubs laced to Wolber Super Champion Alpine rims. I know someone who does/has, etc, and I'll PM him for you.

Alex, you've come a long way from the guy who asked (seemingly) every question imaginable, and it's really cool that you're still hanging around and keeping it going. Glad to have you here.
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Old 11-26-09, 01:01 PM
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Thanks so much...I really appreciate the help (from every question) to the specific ones I've got now. I feel like I'm just starting to understand how/what these bikes are all about. I rode the dickens out of the first bike I got, and '84 Peugeot PH501, then took all the indexed 105 parts and moved them to the '86 Nishiki Prestige frame that fit me so much better. Now I have this RB-1, and I have to say it really is comfortable to me. I didn't pay through the nose, either, so I feel pretty good about having gotten it.

I appreciate the PM for me. I think I am going to hang onto this RB-1 for a while, and ride the heck out of it, so I want to get a nice wheelset moving on it.

I do understand what you say about the freewheel, and I am already started looking for one. Were I a little more crazy, I'd go get the OEM GPX sets listed on the 'Bay, but at $400 they're double what I paid for this complete bike.
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Old 11-26-09, 04:44 PM
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$200 for an RB-1! Great deal, and great way to slip it in there without actually saying it haha.
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Old 11-26-09, 04:48 PM
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For $100 you'll find something nice. Place a ISO in the ISO/WTT subform.
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Old 11-26-09, 05:27 PM
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Nice find Alex. If you found it on the local CL I must have been asleep at the wheel to miss it.
I hope you have picked up some of the tools you would use most often. I use my Suntour freewheel tool a lot since it seems 80% of the bikes I come across have one.

Good luck with your wheel search. Looking forward to some pictures.
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Old 11-26-09, 05:39 PM
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+1 I would also put a WTB ad in your local Craigs List. I picked up a nice donor bike off C/L last year, included two extra sets of wheels, including a nice set with Superbe Pro hubs, and Araya CTL-370 rims. Pretty nice seven speed wheels IMHO.
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Old 11-26-09, 06:11 PM
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Alex, check your PM's.
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