Info on RHS Cycles, Carlisle, PA?
11-14-17, 02:47 PM
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Info on RHS Cycles, Carlisle, PA?
I recently picked up this frameset via eBay. Headbadge offers the extent of my info--made by (or for) RHS Cycles of Carlisle, PA. Google hasn't revealed much info. Anyone heard of this one? Seems like quite a nicely made frame with provisions for lighting, wiring, and, I think, a BB-mount dynamo unit.
11-14-17, 03:07 PM
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I like it, that's for sure.
BG is from that area...she might have an idea. I'd also give Curtis a call at Via...he's got as good a chance as anyone around these parts of knowing the builder.
BG is from that area...she might have an idea. I'd also give Curtis a call at Via...he's got as good a chance as anyone around these parts of knowing the builder.
11-14-17, 03:13 PM
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Nice frame!
So, I googled "RHS cycles carlisle PA," and the second result was apparently the ebay listing for this frame. The item description says these were built by a "master framebuilder" and owner of Cole's bike shop. Cole's bike shop has a current web site live now:
Cole's Bicycles History
So, I googled "RHS cycles carlisle PA," and the second result was apparently the ebay listing for this frame. The item description says these were built by a "master framebuilder" and owner of Cole's bike shop. Cole's bike shop has a current web site live now:
Cole's Bicycles History
11-14-17, 03:22 PM
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Still, maybe worth a phone call to the shop? It looks like it's the third generation of the same family is running it, so if anyone will have backstory, I'd imagine they're a good start.
11-14-17, 03:37 PM
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I live in Carlisle, PA. I have never heard of the brand.
I am not too informed about the people at Cole's here, but they do not seem like frame makers to me. I would be rather surprised if they were.
The only information I can provide is useless: Our old prison is depicted on the head badge of the bike.
I am curious to hear what this thing is.
Jim
I am not too informed about the people at Cole's here, but they do not seem like frame makers to me. I would be rather surprised if they were.
The only information I can provide is useless: Our old prison is depicted on the head badge of the bike.
I am curious to hear what this thing is.
Jim
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11-14-17, 03:41 PM
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And, thanks, too, @noobinsf. I sent Coles an email, so we'll see if they respond.
11-14-17, 03:51 PM
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Well, the bottom pic on that history page has what I assume is one of the elder Coles admiring a Motobecane in a similar color scheme to your bike. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that dear old Dad had a handful of them made 30 years ago when he was into such things. I'm intrigued!
11-14-17, 03:58 PM
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yeah, I'm sure Cinda or Mike will be able to tell you who Len had build it!
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11-15-17, 01:39 PM
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Thanks for the input, PA folks. No word yet from Coles' so the mystery continues!
11-16-17, 01:36 PM
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An update with info from the good folks at Cole's:
So I guess it's a genuine Rick Sheaffer-built bike! Any of you PA BFers heard of him?
The frame was built by an employee of the shop named Rick Sheaffer using the owners jigs. The time frame would have been mid to late '70's. I actually designed and produced the head badges for his bikes while I was working at a print shop in Mechanicsburg. We've lost touch with Rick and have no recent info about him.
11-16-17, 02:38 PM
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What a fun little mystery. Thanks for following up!
11-16-17, 02:50 PM
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Nice frame!
So, I googled "RHS cycles carlisle PA," and the second result was apparently the ebay listing for this frame. The item description says these were built by a "master framebuilder" and owner of Cole's bike shop. Cole's bike shop has a current web site live now:
Cole's Bicycles History
So, I googled "RHS cycles carlisle PA," and the second result was apparently the ebay listing for this frame. The item description says these were built by a "master framebuilder" and owner of Cole's bike shop. Cole's bike shop has a current web site live now:
Cole's Bicycles History
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11-17-17, 10:30 AM
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Current plan is a rando-like build with with 650B x 38mm, fenders, Shimergo 8-speed drivetrain. Interesting that with 700 x 30mm wheels, there isn't enough clearance for fenders, but plenty of room for 650B x 38 and then BB height is also workable.
11-17-17, 10:48 AM
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What's your plan for brakes? Going with looong reach, or trying disc?
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11-17-17, 10:52 AM
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11-18-17, 08:14 AM
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I live 20 mins from Carlisle. Cool bike.
By the way......Molly Pitcher is buried in Carlisle. There is a great brewpub bearing her name less than a 2 minute walk from her grave.
By the way......Molly Pitcher is buried in Carlisle. There is a great brewpub bearing her name less than a 2 minute walk from her grave.
11-18-17, 11:53 AM
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I would maybe run an email by the folks at Spectrum, FWIW. As I remember it, PA had very few custom bike builders in the time frame that this was built. I would think they might know a bit more is this is more than a one-off.
11-18-17, 10:05 PM
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Great Farmer's market in Carlisle on the northwest corner of Hanover St. and Main St. on Wednesday afternoons from mid spring to early fall. It is a very livable small city, but the recommended LBS is Merv's, a 15 min drive west on rte 641 (to the turn). Wouldn't mind moving back to the area at some point. Good to see that nlerner picked up a nice piece of local history, and no doubt he'll do it justice.
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11-28-17, 03:27 PM
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Update: I finished building up the RHS over the Thanksgiving weekend and took it out today for its inaugural ride. The build is 650B x 38mm tires, Shimergo drivetrain, IRD/Holdsworth compact double crankset, Tektro brakes, SR stem and GB rando bars. Overall, I'd say the ride felt very neutral, which is kind of a good thing. My buddy and I did our local hilly ride, about 32 miles with 2K feet of climbing, including going to the top of Blue Hill in Milton, MA (second pic below). The bike descended with stability and climbed with reasonable agility.
11-28-17, 03:56 PM
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Nice. Looks brand spanking new in the pictures. 
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