I really don't need, don't have space for another bike... But RIH is one of those which has always played with my 'roadie soul' since the mid- 70's (Frejus heads that list..)|
was scanning local CL, because I was too tired to do anything else... Page 3 of 'bikes for sale', I noticed a listing - Bike in the Santa Ynez valley - glance at pic and it seems to be a RIH!
1st reaction is a chuckle - someone is having fun, putting a few RIH decals on some old gaspipe...
...but I look at the listing... pics are reasonable enough for me to become interested... hmmm... it does look 'correct'... mish-mash components, but one might expect that for an older bike... I should take a closer look... called the owner... set up a meeting on Sunday in SY....
... so as far as I could determine, it IS a RIH... some really good, one serious issue... which the 'owner' acted dumb on... although he was honest and immediately pointed out the issue - more on that in a bit...
I bought the bike ! even with the 'issue'... think I can handle it...
Here it is.
Serial # 7947 - 23" ST (not cm...), 22.5" TT seems to have been built for someone with longer torso, HT angle is steepish (73.5 ?) and ST angle seems close to 72
interesting blue, slightly metallic, black panels would seem where the original DT & ST decals were... all the other decals are under the very light clear coat,
prolly original 126 dropout spacing (now set to 130...)
my best guess from the overall specs is '79-'80 vintage, especially since the braze-ons seem original and not later add-ons...
looks like some version of Bocama Long Point lugs, nicely brazed and hand feathered
Overall, the frame seems to have been well taken care of, prolly stored consistent environment of indoors
Comments from you all are happily accepted...
Components a real mix - some which are prolly original - like Gipiemme brakes, Italmane seatpost, stem and prolly bars... all-terrain grade Shimano 105 10 spd wheels, LOL!
Campy Centaur 10 spd triple crank, badly mashed Tiagra RD , I honestly can't figure out what the FD is, solid, bulletproof, un-marked... new Bontrager Affinity RL saddle.
Durace 10 spd indexed shifters
The 'Bad' - Ugly...
uuugggghhhh...
The owner said he had a problem... seems , somehow, the RD went into the rear wheel... uuugggghhhh...
He had the wheel 'repaired'... still a bit pretzelled, though... RD jockey was badly twisted and pretzelled... Right dropout was bent and severely bent down... uuggghhh...
. but I bought it anyway - I like challenges... I've worked worse condition dropouts... thankfully those steel dropouts are the same metal as the lugs and are readily 'workable, malleable' without serious compromise of strength. Bike will never again be 'raced', mostly be gently ridden by gentle riders... gonna be OK.
Pic here is taken AFTER, I did some dropout realignment and reworking the RD Jockey setup - enough that the drivetrain actually works smoothly now - and I've ridden it around the block a few times... 'ride' is very nice! very quick handling...
I have a cycling friend, she's 100% Dutch, typical tall almost 6 ft, rides same size bikes as I, this size... think this will be a wonderful Xmas present for her...
Would love to hear what you all think and have to say ! LOL!
Thx
Yuri