Rickert Spezial
 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/10821047@N00/

Found this in the attic at the LBS. I'm hoping you folks will help me
evaluate the thing and it's potential value. I know the photos are
atrocious, but I'd say it's about an 8.5 out of 10 aesthetically. Many
tricks, including internal cable routing, chromed (stainless?) lugs, fork,
seat, and chain stays, fast back stays etc. I'm not so sure the components
are period correct. Any insight you have to offer would be greatly
appreciated.

Cheers,

Jesse

You found that in the attic!? How much did you score that for? Beautiful.

Ah, well that's just it, see- I haven't yet scored the thing. It fits my mother very well, though, and as soon as I showed her the photos, she fell in love, so I really must have it.

She's been riding this wretched aluminum beast for the past couple of years, and it kills me to see her on it. The bloody thing doesn't even fit her. I've been playing lugged-steel-advocate the whole while, though, and this Rickert is just too nice to pass on.

I don't want to low-ball the gentleman who is handling the sale (it's on consignment, I believe), but we're not really willing to pay the type of figure the bike would fetch on Ebay, either (which subsequently is where it's going end up come spring time if I can't strike a deal with him.)

Wish us luck, eh?

I'd rate that over 8.5, it looks stunning. Could very well be all original equipment, I think this is Campy 8-speed (please turn flame to "low" when you correct me, experts) and if so the only weak point is the rear shift lever, it will work better as a friction shifter. Hope you get it!

Rickert
 

It is handmade by german frame builder Hugo Rickert of Dortmund. Due to a stroke he suffered some years ago he does not build anymore. It is a very rare an valuable bike, especially in this state. Rickerts a herdly seen on ebay and itf they catch high prices with collectors. They are verx sought after in the U.S. as far as I know since Hugo Rickert is one of the most famous german builders and he equipped the german national teams (Track mostly) for some time nad therefore had connections to some US riders.
As being a later (late 80ies?) model this might not be the most desireable model but still a beautiful bike. Just like you I would try to get it for a good price (Probably around 500 $ but not more) and keep it or let mum ride it. You just should care for maintenance since for mom it is probably just a nice riding bike.....
I wish you luck....
Those are the finds I am dreaming of....

Thanks for such an insightful post, ampalabike. I probably will make an offer at about $750.

I'd concur with having a go at $500. It's bleedin' gorgeous......

Agree with all the above. If you are willing to pay $750, why not start with an offer of $400 or $500?

Sehr schoen! German bikes are rare in the U.S., and Rickert is certainly a recognized high-level marque. According to the Reynolds decals, the forks are obviously 531, as is the main triangle, but evidently those chrome stays are not. Curious ...

(It's also interesting, but I suppose culturally unremarkable, that the French somehow forced Reynolds to print French-language decals, but the Austrians, Germans, and everyone else just went along with the English-language wording.)

Absolutely par for the course. The French are the only nation on earth to be up their with English speakers in terms of "ShoveitwhyshouldIlearntospeakYOURdamnedlanguage"ness.

:roflmao:

I seem to recall be educated to the fact that The World is like a back side it has two cheeks...one is France and the other...the Rest of the World:D (at least in the eyes of the French:p )

Aaron:)

I picked it up today -> $700.

Well, Maybe a touch higher than you wanted to spend, but it's a beauty and, afterall, it's a gift to your MOTHER, who gave you the gift of LIFE :) so, it's worth it. She'll look great riding it, too...happy ending!

Very nice frame!

Jesse,

Please let me know if you still have this bike. I grew up i Dortmund where Hugo Rickert used to build bikes for over 50 years. I remember this particular model (after all he didn't change his design too much). This must have been created in the early 1990s. He would drive to Belgium to put chrome onto his frames/forks, so, the whole frame is Reynolds tubing. He actually only worked with Reynolds tubes (though he started playing around with some oversize Columbus tubes shortly before his stroke in the early 2000s). If I were you, i'd refrain from selling this one. Rickert was special among German frame builders, he didn't care for marketing, never gave out any information to bike magazines, and only build you a frame if he liked you. Some people were waiting months, others (mostly racers) got theirs right away if they needed to, while others again would never get one...His wife was building the wheels, and painted the lugs... keep it. He is not building anymore, and it is one of a kind, especially in the US.

Not too many know the Rickert name. I just got one a few months ago on ebay, from a gentleman in Poland. Its a beautiful riding bike. I ride it regularly and most people I ride with have no idea what a Rickert is. I was also researching on the internet and found out that Hugo Rickert custom ordered a large order of Campagnolo hi-lo flange hubs in the early 70's. This set off a bunch of imitaters from Hi-E to Phil Wood. Heres my 60's Rickert

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9...D550/ry%3D400/

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b9...D550/ry%3D400/

wow! those pictures sucked big time!!!

how about some proper photos since you got it home?

beautiful bike!

Hi guys

I am from Dortmund too. It was a family tradition to ride a Rickert bike in my case :-)
In my active times I rode for Sturmvogel Dortmund and you either loved or hated Rickert frames.
Probably for exactly those reasons wieditz was listing...lol
Last year my dad send me the frame I had to leave in Germany with a new powder paint finish.
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=129165http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=129166
Let's see if I can upload some pictures here.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/166/3...a2c19108a1.jpg

Damn, is that NOS or what?
If so, the early C-Record parts should be worth a small fortune (do I see Cobalto brakes?).

it certainly looks like Corse Record I was wondering about the brakes myself. why are bikes like this never my size?

drop dead gorgeous!

wait a minute...what is it, dig up the oldest post possible day!?!? :)

Seems the last time my pics didn't make it. So here is another attempt to upload them.
Thought it might be interesting to see how the newer Rickert models looked like.

Attachment 129254

Attachment 129255

Both of those bike were made with the Reynolds Foco Tubes.

Rickert bike
 

Hi - Do you still have the 60s Rickert? Would you be able to send me some nice closeups of the decals? I''m helping a friend restore one he has had since 1966 that had those same decals, now long gone since he has painted it a couple times already. I have another friend who can reproduce them from good photos. Please reply also to rdf1249@aol.com as that is my usual address.

thanks
Bob Freeman
North Bend WA