Just picked up this RB-1!
 

Mint condition -

Dura Ace 7402 group - it also came with the original drop bars as well.

I'm super stoked as it fits me perfectly (57.5cm) and it literally looks brand new. Apparently it was bought and never used - condition of parts, etc. bare this out.

I believe it is from 1991-1992.

Here's one pic and I'll post more tomorrow - anyone else have one of these? It rides amazingly the short time I've had it.

Prudy

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3480/...2495ab.jpg?v=0

Nice, I've never seen one with the moustache bars like that. Good find, did the owner have the seat up so high or is that your setup?

I wanted to bid on a mis-labeled "RBI" last month on eBay but the seller never got back to me regarding some questions I had----it ended at under $300, which was quite a steal.

Under $300 is a steal for these bikes - I usually see them go for between $600 and $1k in great condition.

Seat is up high because the original owner was way too tall for the bike - it fits me perfectly so the seat is half as tall when I ride it.

I think I got a fair deal - the bike is literally brand new judging by the wear on the frame and the components - I kind of like it with the moustache bars, too :) -- they're nice Nitto bars. I'll probably wait a bit before putting the drop bars back on.

Weighs about the same as my early 80's Basso w/ Campy group. I'd say a hair over 20 lbs. I'm going to put some yellow/black Ultremo R clinchers I've got on there and ride it fast this weekend - supposed to be 55 and sunny here!

Also, the 8 speed Dura Ace group is awesome - i love it.

Great find.:thumb: Yeah, they ride great. The RB-1 was probably the best bargain in road machines at the time. Well-designed, fun to ride, well-thought out parts specs - just a lot of bike for the buck.

From that paint job and those graphics, it is a 1992 model. (I had a 1992, but in red.) I believe that RB-1's went to all-yellow the next year.

FYI, moustache bars were not standard on the RB-1, certainly not in 1992; drop bars were. Moustache bars came on the XO-1 and a variation of those bars were on other XO models, but not anywhere else. Also, DA was not standard on 1992 RB-1's. The cranks, hubs and derailleurs were 600's (equivalent of Ultegra now) and the brakes were some sort of Dia-Compe or Gran-Compe sidepulls. It also ran a seven speed drivetrain, not an eight, and Shimano barcons were standard equipment. (The 1993 yellow RB-1s had 8-speeds with brifters, the red ones stayed with 7-speed and barcons. IN 1994, both came with 8 speed brifters.)

The stem in your photo looks like the original Ritchie, but the seat post is after-market, because the RB-1 came standard with a no-name post that was not that long. The original saddle was some sort of Avocet, I think - all I know is that I swapped mine out ASAP.

Oh, and the tubing was Ishiwata.

I loved my RB-1. I'd still be riding it except it developed a nasty crack in the BB area that involved the downtube, the seat tube and the shell. :( (My theory is that it started as a small, unnoticeable crack as the result of a singularly unpleasant 30+mph crash and slowly extended itself untill the BB wobbled so much that I finally noticed it.) Well, that and the shop let me buy one that was too small.:notamused: But it was a great bike to ride. Looked good, too. Kind of like yours. Only solid read.

Hi -

I got the original panto'd nitto drop bars with the bike as well :) The stem is the original Ritchie. The saddle is a Regal, don't know if that is original or not - may have been an upgrade as well.

The seat post is the original Sakae CLE 100 I believe...the seat post pictured is different than the one I got.

The original owner, upon buying the bike, immediately upgraded the Shimano group to the Dura Ace 7402 - then put it in storage!

Was it on the German ebay? If so I was the one who bought it. 202 euros is a pretty good price considering it was almost mint. Even the tires are original and still in pretty good condition (they will be changed though).