Ode to Rhode (Gear)
#26
Bianchi Goddess


Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 28,888
Likes: 4,126
From: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In
Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.
How did I miss this? I am trying to think if I ever used much Rhode Gear stuff... I know Isold a ton of it esp the child seats.
BluesDaddy glad your happy with the rack. I always thought they were cool but it just never took off for some reason.
BluesDaddy glad your happy with the rack. I always thought they were cool but it just never took off for some reason.
__________________
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"
Sugar "Kane" Kowalczyk
#27
Senior Member


Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 2,421
Likes: 22
From: Aurora, IL
Bikes: '73 Raleigh RRA, 1986 Trek 500 commuter
Yep, had a couple of their water bottles/mounts (the one the bottle had a wedge on it to slide into the mount).
I also have one of their brake hood mirrors. Can see better with it than with the bar end mirror I use now. Only downside is the metal will chew into the brake hood a bit, and since brake hoods are getting expensive, I don't use mine anymore.
I also have one of their brake hood mirrors. Can see better with it than with the bar end mirror I use now. Only downside is the metal will chew into the brake hood a bit, and since brake hoods are getting expensive, I don't use mine anymore.
#28
Newbie
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Rg brake hood mirrors
Yep, had a couple of their water bottles/mounts (the one the bottle had a wedge on it to slide into the mount).
I also have one of their brake hood mirrors. Can see better with it than with the bar end mirror I use now. Only downside is the metal will chew into the brake hood a bit, and since brake hoods are getting expensive, I don't use mine anymore.
I also have one of their brake hood mirrors. Can see better with it than with the bar end mirror I use now. Only downside is the metal will chew into the brake hood a bit, and since brake hoods are getting expensive, I don't use mine anymore.
Unfortunately, my left one got smashed just recently, but I'm OK with that. I would REALLY like to find another right one, however, for my wife's bike, as she's nervous in traffic and no other mirror suits (believe me, I've bought them all!).
I'm serious about getting one made up. I'll post the result when it's finished.
Cheers!
#29
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 776
Likes: 23
From: San Diego CA
Bikes: 2019 KonaLibre- 2003 Litespeed Vortex -2016 Intense Spider Factory Build -2008 Wilier Mortorolio- Specialized Stumpjumper Hardtail converted to bafang 750 mid drive -1986 Paramount 2014 - --- Pivot Mach 429c
I still have their panniers up in the attic collecting dust as it has been a long time since I toured without some support. I had the rack from them as well that fell victim to too many lay downs on my MTB. The nylon cover over the top of the rack made an effective fender and kept my sleeping bag cleaner during touring and doubling up as a dirt guard the rest of the year. I had the speedometer with heart rate and cadence sold in the mid eighties way ahead of the times. Never had the heart monitor as it was expensive. The flick stand rocked went through a couple of those. Bought the kid carrier and both girls loved to ride in the back.
Well designed products that always got my attention. Yakima should bring back the name and some accessories especially the flick stand.
Well designed products that always got my attention. Yakima should bring back the name and some accessories especially the flick stand.
#30
Curmudgeon in Training
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,956
Likes: 11
From: Rural Retreat, VA
Bikes: 1974 Gazelle Champion Mondial, 2010 Cannondale Trail SL, 1988 Peugeot Nice, 1992ish Stumpjumper Comp,1990's Schwinn Moab
I just mounted an older Rhode Gear trunk rack on my car for making a trip to North Carolina this weekend. Seems like a solid piece of equipment other than the rubber straps for securing the bike have degraded/disappeared long ago.
#31
Master of the Obvious
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 95
Likes: 0
From: Omaha, NE
Bikes: bridgestone mb-6, schwinn tempo
I have found a source online for replacement straps, but at $10.00 each I just don't know if it's worth it. What do you use in their stead?
#32
Ride, Wrench, Swap, Race

Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 9,809
Likes: 1,781
From: Northern California
Bikes: Cheltenham-Pedersen racer, Boulder F/S Paris-Roubaix, Varsity racer, '52 Christophe, '62 Continental, '92 Merckx, '75 Limongi, '76 Presto, '72 Gitane SC, '71 Schwinn SS, etc.
Oh, TRUNK RACK, I was thinking RACK TRUNK, the bread loaf-sized piece of luggage that sits atop the rear rack on the bike.
Rhode Gear made a good one, and I still have it on my old Pro-Flex 253 Hybrid.
Rhode Gear made a good one, and I still have it on my old Pro-Flex 253 Hybrid.
#33
Curmudgeon in Training
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,956
Likes: 11
From: Rural Retreat, VA
Bikes: 1974 Gazelle Champion Mondial, 2010 Cannondale Trail SL, 1988 Peugeot Nice, 1992ish Stumpjumper Comp,1990's Schwinn Moab
I have an old hitch mounted Rhode Gear rack. It's unusual in that instead of mounting to the hitch, it mounts under the ball. I guess it would allow you to haul 2 bikes and a trailer or boat. I got it a few years ago for 15 USD off of CL. I've found replacement straps online - apparently, Yakima no longer sells any replacement/repair parts for these.
I have found a source online for replacement straps, but at $10.00 each I just don't know if it's worth it. What do you use in their stead?
I have found a source online for replacement straps, but at $10.00 each I just don't know if it's worth it. What do you use in their stead?
We'll see if my bike goes bouncing down the road.
#34
Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 131
Likes: 2
woodrupjoe - I went to RISD too and finished in 1981. Maybe we know each other?
The Rhode Gear founders did indeed go to RISD in Providence, R.I. Their first product, the Flickstand started the company off around 1976 or 1977, if I recall. By the end of the 80s or early 90s, Rhode Gear had been bought by Bell and they became Newbold Design and branched out to design and develop products such as child car seats apart from bike related products. The company folded after the untimely death of the principal, I think in the late 90s.
I knew one of the designers and on a late night visit to the studio saw full suspension mountain bikes for the first time. I was even more amazed when we went for a ride in the building's former production space up and down stairs and over all kinds of stuff on the floors!
I have one of the tool pods from an early production or prototype run in which the broaching for the bits was too tight. You needed a tool to use the tool (a pair of pliers). Other RG products I've had are the Ultralight helmet, a pair of shorts, and the Atmos pump which pumped on both the push and pull strokes.
The Rhode Gear founders did indeed go to RISD in Providence, R.I. Their first product, the Flickstand started the company off around 1976 or 1977, if I recall. By the end of the 80s or early 90s, Rhode Gear had been bought by Bell and they became Newbold Design and branched out to design and develop products such as child car seats apart from bike related products. The company folded after the untimely death of the principal, I think in the late 90s.
I knew one of the designers and on a late night visit to the studio saw full suspension mountain bikes for the first time. I was even more amazed when we went for a ride in the building's former production space up and down stairs and over all kinds of stuff on the floors!
I have one of the tool pods from an early production or prototype run in which the broaching for the bits was too tight. You needed a tool to use the tool (a pair of pliers). Other RG products I've had are the Ultralight helmet, a pair of shorts, and the Atmos pump which pumped on both the push and pull strokes.
#35
Banned
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 6,480
Likes: 450
thread defibrillation Rhode Gear flick stand
Is there any other maker today offering a similar device? For old pipe and or newer downtubes. Yes, I realize the generation of fatty tubes says forget about it and gram weenies gawk, but the Flickstand worked.

Is there any other maker today offering a similar device? For old pipe and or newer downtubes. Yes, I realize the generation of fatty tubes says forget about it and gram weenies gawk, but the Flickstand worked.
#37
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,128
Likes: 39
Bikes: 1986 Alan Record Carbonio, 1985 Vitus Plus Carbone 7, 1984 Peugeot PSV, 1972 Line Seeker, 1986(est.) Medici Aerodynamic (Project), 1985(est.) Peugeot PY10FC
It also helped that they had some of the nicest looking ads in cycling magazines in the 80's. Never was interested in adding a racks to my bikes, but I still read their ads as they look so well done.... Theri racks looked surprisingly much more modern than most racks from Europe at that time. The all satin black finish on their products made them look very slick!
#38
just picked up a Univega Gran Turismo with a Rhode Gear rear rack on it.
Lighter than my blackburn and triangulated in the rear stays so stronger. Well made. I'll use the Blackburn I have only because it has the convenient track for my trunk bag/pannier combo.
Lighter than my blackburn and triangulated in the rear stays so stronger. Well made. I'll use the Blackburn I have only because it has the convenient track for my trunk bag/pannier combo.
#39
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,035
Likes: 2,116
From: NW Ohio
Bikes: 1984 Miyata 310, 1986 Schwinn Sierra, 1987 Ross Mt. Hood, 1988 Schwinn LeTour, 1988 Trek 400T, 1981 Fuji S12-1977 Univega Grand Rally, S LTD, 1973 Sears Free Spirit 531, 197? FW Evans
I bought a Flickstand years ago, when I only had one bike. Now I wish I had a few more for the rest of my bikes. Everyone who sees it, wonders what it is, then, when they see how it works, wants to get one for their bike.
I also had one of the water bottles with the special holder. I lost the bottle at some point, and the holder is useless for anything else.
I also had one of the water bottles with the special holder. I lost the bottle at some point, and the holder is useless for anything else.
#40
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 400
Likes: 5
From: Indiana
Bikes: 1987 Trek 1500, 1989 Pinarello Montello, 1998 Trek 7000 MTB
I have a Rhode Gear bike rack of sorts that clamps to the bed rail of a pickup truck with a built in quick release skewer to clamp the fork. No pictures yet, I am at work but will add later.
As promised...
As promised...
Last edited by Old Yeller; 10-07-13 at 03:22 PM.
#41
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 400
Likes: 5
From: Indiana
Bikes: 1987 Trek 1500, 1989 Pinarello Montello, 1998 Trek 7000 MTB
Oh! I also had the water bottle on my Fuji Royale and the handlebar hide on my Raleigh Competition. That stuff was a total PITA to put on but I loved the feel of it. It was a poor boys Almarc leather wrap back when I was 16.
#42
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 115
Likes: 1
From: golden, co
Bikes: 80' Zullo track bike,84 Lotus Legend,91' Nishiki Prestige,91' Fuji sundance
Anyone care to explain how the flik stand works/ what is it? I've never seen one.
EDIT; why is it worth $60???
https://www.ebay.com/itm/RHODE-GEAR-F...item1e80df56fb
EDIT; why is it worth $60???
https://www.ebay.com/itm/RHODE-GEAR-F...item1e80df56fb
#43
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 400
Likes: 5
From: Indiana
Bikes: 1987 Trek 1500, 1989 Pinarello Montello, 1998 Trek 7000 MTB
It's not worth $60 but is very good at stabilizing the front wheel from rolling or handlebars from turning when you park your bike. Ooh, that reminds me of my Jim Blackburn Brake Block.... It sort of does the same thing by inserting it in your engaged front brake lever effectively locking the front brake when you park your bike but doesn't keep your handlebars from turning.
#44
Senior Member

Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 15,315
Likes: 903
From: Tixkokob, Yucatán, México
Bikes: 79 Trek 930, 80 Trek 414, 84 Schwinn Letour Luxe (coupled), 92 Schwinn Paramount PDG 5
Zombie yes. But fitting. I was sent here from an otherwise useless google search. Can anyone explain to me how this mirror is meant to be mounted? thanks



#45
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 11,128
Likes: 39
Bikes: 1986 Alan Record Carbonio, 1985 Vitus Plus Carbone 7, 1984 Peugeot PSV, 1972 Line Seeker, 1986(est.) Medici Aerodynamic (Project), 1985(est.) Peugeot PY10FC
I guess we now know where Simplex dumped all their leftover stocks of Delrin in the mid 80's.....




