Rider Frame?

Can't find any info on this. It looks funky. Thoughts?

Not really, it just looks very very late 80's - early 90's.

I've never heard of the marque, but if it is indeed SLX and not some gas pipe with a sticker it looks like it might end up being a great deal. That's an aweful lot of detail to put into a gas pie though.

That's definitely a high quality frame - internal brake cable, race number hanger, lots of chrome.

When did vertical dropouts become common? I'd put it early-mid 90's.

Since the threading is Italian, do you have to run an Italian gruppo, or is there an adapter? I am trying to use a spare Ultegra setup I have.

I won the auction. Let's see if the frame size the seller gave is accurate. And if it indeed is SLX and not Hi-Ten.

I won't be finishing the build until spring/summer 2010, sadly. The Finnish summer is already over (and I haven't the money).

Hi all,

A few pics of the frame:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/12238787@N03/

And some questions (as this is the first geared bike I am trying to build, there are some things I'd like to know):

1) The steerer. How can I make sure the headset I buy is the correct one? There are, I've understood, various standards although the differences between them shouldn't pose too many problems.

2) Front derailleur hanger. What components should I be looking at? Are you able to buy them new?

3) The gear shifter "knobs". (Or are they shifter cable routers?) The same question as above, basically. Can I get them new or do I have to hunt them down?

My goal is not to build it up as period correct and, as I think the marque is quite "rootless", I feel no pain if I end up going Shimano (or, components allowing, SRAM).

The only parts I already have are a pair of ceramic Open Pros, NOS Mavic handlebars, NOS Iscaselle Dakar saddle (titanium rails!) and a NOS Shimano 600 quill stem. So, in that sense, the slate is still quite clean.

Oh yes, I have been able to get the following info:

"'Rider' is/was a brand of Belgian wholesaler Simons in Bekkevoort.
They also carried 'Diamant' and nowadays 'Gianni Motta'."

Sent an email to Simons asking about the history of the frame, but they haven't yet answered.

So, opinions and suggestions are much appreciated!

/tsathoggua

I know its the epitome of selfishness to bump one's own thread, but, still, um... anyone out there who could give a few hints?

1. Headset - you'll need precision measurement to be absolutely certain you're getting the correct size. It's going to either be Italian, English, or ISO (and they are all close enough in size that measuring without a micrometer might get it wrong). Also, be sure to take the length of the steerer into account before deciding on one to get. Stack heights can vary considerably. Too tall, and it won't secure the fork. Too short, and you'll have extra steerer poking out the top.

2. You will be looking for a braze-on front derailleur. Not sure if they still make them, but they can be found without too much trouble. Many contemporary gruppos at the higher end of the model ranges offered two FD types - clamp-on and braze-on.

3. Not sure what you mean. The terminology is not familiar. Maybe if you can find some pictures to show us?

Yeah, sorry. I myself am not sure what to call them, but the things I was referring to are the two studs on the downtube, on both the left and right side of the frame. Visible in this pic.

Here's hoping you can understand what I mean (or that at least someone is able to decypher my ramblings).

\tsathoggua

I think you are talking about the down tube shifter bosses. They are where the shift levers would have mounted normally.

You can mount these cable stops on the bosses to use modern brifters or bar end shifters. That is a really great looking frame by the way.

Yes, that was the one: down tube shifter bosses.

Thanks, man!

\tsathoggua

So, would one of these do the trick (as the front derailleur -- if I chose to go SRAM)?

\tsathoggua

It seems like it would work but I have never used braze on FD's. You should post some pictures after you get this built up, I would be very interested to see it.

Can do, although it will take quite some time for me to finish the build. I hope to find good stuff cheap during winter. (Not sure when they usually try to rid themselves of the year-old stuff to make room for new components.)

\tsathoggua

That FD would work if the other drive train components are compatible.

That's a good plan, sounds like your off to a good start too.

Thought as much. Thanks, Z-man!

Of course, if I had all the money in the world, I'd just pop into a store and get Red, DA and Super Record and then choose what I'd like the frame to wear, but, alas, that is not the case. So hunting for bargains it is, then, for me!

Okay,

So it seems the seattube does not accept the common 27.2 mikemike seatpost. My metering device is not quite up to scratch, but it seems it could well be either 26.8 or 26.6 (which, according to Sheldon, are common in older Italian frames).

I think I have to haul the frame to a shop to check the diameter unless there is some other way to make sure, i.e. some home remedy you guys know of?

With a braze on FD dont you have to worry about your chain-rings also? for correct clearance and what not? Not sure as I have never used one.

I have heard smaller chainrings might not work too well with a braze-on FD, so I won't, in all likelihood, trod down that path. But I guess there are still some challenges lying in wait before the steed be ridden.

Hi again,

Not sure I will ever choose to do so, but is it possible to use a threadless fork and headset on an older frame? Is it only a case of getting rid of the old headset and installing a new one (and, of course, getting a new fork)?