Ode to Rhode (Gear)
06-27-19, 06:32 PM
#77
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I didn't realize Rhode Gear was gone. I've had one of their racks since 2000. I bought a Subaru Impreza RS coupe and didn't realize the rear seat didn't fold for bike transport. I was whining about it at work, then one day this rack showed up on my desk with a $15 Goodwill price sticker, from a co-worker. Good investment, almost 20 years later. I have a hatchback now, and rarely use it except for SAG support on our club charity ride. The stretchy rubber straps are nearly gone, but I guess that's what bungee cords are for.
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06-27-19, 09:14 PM
#78
Senior Member
My Flickstand is, alas, long gone, but my Rhode Gear mirror is still on my brake lever.
I was at Brown during its bicentennial. I didn't ride a bike in college, but I was a local kid, and before college I rode all 912 of Providence's 7 hills (a joke from my Providence HS). I wanted to date RISD girls, but I met this 'broker, and I left the dating pool. (Still with her.)
I was at Brown during its bicentennial. I didn't ride a bike in college, but I was a local kid, and before college I rode all 912 of Providence's 7 hills (a joke from my Providence HS). I wanted to date RISD girls, but I met this 'broker, and I left the dating pool. (Still with her.)
06-29-19, 04:33 PM
#79
Rolling Vintage Only
Circa '81, I connected frequently with Ned Levine, Rhode Gear founder, at trade shows where we both displayed. It was a wonderful time for creative folks to start cycling businesses with good ideas and shoestring budgets. Don't know if that is still possible...
03-21-21, 07:20 AM
#80
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Rhode Gear
I worked with Ned and Dixon and an entire crew of some of the most friendly, kind, and creative people. I was a receptionist, an order entry person, and went to Inventory Control with a guy named Greg. I became the receiver after a young college grad was in an accident so i held his position for the hope of his return.
I must have been a crazy young woman unloading 40footers with pallet jacks, counting boxes, and carrying a dot matrix printed bill of materials. Rhode Gear was on Allens Avenue down the street from a liquor store at which you could cash your check, and a small deli cat-acorner where Id order a “Dave’s Delight” a vegetarian grinder after a coworker.
I was always curious what happened after the buyout because i was offered to continue working for them but felt too much loyalty to Ned and Dixon, that sadly I made the choice to leave.
Having done the inventory I remember that SU1000 - SU 3000 may have been for various water bottles or their cages. Interesting! We sent the measurements to the bike pump to be created overseas. The measurements were translated possible from inches to centimeters and they came back only 2/3 of expected size. I remember sitting on the stairs with some PT help counting them, hoping we could use them for kids bikes laughing out loud.
Can anyone tell me who passed away? Both owners would hold weekend pancake and breakfast rides. This was between 1985-1988 I believe.
I must have been a crazy young woman unloading 40footers with pallet jacks, counting boxes, and carrying a dot matrix printed bill of materials. Rhode Gear was on Allens Avenue down the street from a liquor store at which you could cash your check, and a small deli cat-acorner where Id order a “Dave’s Delight” a vegetarian grinder after a coworker.
I was always curious what happened after the buyout because i was offered to continue working for them but felt too much loyalty to Ned and Dixon, that sadly I made the choice to leave.
Having done the inventory I remember that SU1000 - SU 3000 may have been for various water bottles or their cages. Interesting! We sent the measurements to the bike pump to be created overseas. The measurements were translated possible from inches to centimeters and they came back only 2/3 of expected size. I remember sitting on the stairs with some PT help counting them, hoping we could use them for kids bikes laughing out loud.
Can anyone tell me who passed away? Both owners would hold weekend pancake and breakfast rides. This was between 1985-1988 I believe.
Small world. I went to Brown, 1 block up the hill from RISD, from '78-82. I rode across the country during the summer of '79, and I trained for the trip in the spring of 1979 by loading my panniers with 40 pounds of rocks and riding the load up and down College hill between the Supreme Court building and Brown's main gate. Maybe you guys saw me as I chugged my Trek with bags full of rocks across Benefit Street, past RISD.
I miss Geoffs - bast damn Deli I ever ate at. My sandwiches there were the Romeo DeMarco and the Magee Hickey - With extra Elvis (inside joke).
I miss Geoffs - bast damn Deli I ever ate at. My sandwiches there were the Romeo DeMarco and the Magee Hickey - With extra Elvis (inside joke).
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03-21-21, 07:30 AM
#81
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Rhode Gear Gloves
I still use my Rhode Gear gloves. I think they were called "Clean Gloves". Can't call them that anymore! I've since fixed that hole near the wrist, and wish another pair in small would show up on that popular auction site!
Anyone ever have, or see these anymore?
Anyone ever have, or see these anymore?
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03-21-21, 07:34 AM
#82
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Rhode Gear and RISD
Yes- Ned and Dixon were RISD grads. I have a photo of Ned stating something about thanking us for all of our hard work and maybe it came with a holiday bonus.
They had several people from RISD that worked in R&D. I rented from one of the head R&D person who designed many of those fanny packs, wedges amd worked with the women in design (one of which I know went on to LLBean). While i was working the front desk, they brought another new designer in- a RISD grad.
Their products were well made. It was called Rhode Gear because it was in Rhode Island.
They had several people from RISD that worked in R&D. I rented from one of the head R&D person who designed many of those fanny packs, wedges amd worked with the women in design (one of which I know went on to LLBean). While i was working the front desk, they brought another new designer in- a RISD grad.
Their products were well made. It was called Rhode Gear because it was in Rhode Island.
I had a summer job in a dumpy little jewelry factory in an old industrial building right next to Rhode Gear's space back in 1981. I was in art school at the time and the Rhode Gear folks had gone to RISD (as I recall?). They seemed pretty cool and I really wanted to work in their little factory rather than the crappy job I had.
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03-21-21, 07:36 PM
#83
smelling the roses
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I realize it's been five years, but I have one I'll never use.
03-21-21, 09:21 PM
#84
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My first rack was one of these Rhode Racks. Swayed back and forth like a dog wagging it's tail and had a weird brake bridge attachment, One of the struts snapped after about a year and I went and got a Blackburn like I should have done to begin with.
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03-22-21, 04:18 PM
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03-23-21, 10:42 AM
#87
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Mèxico. But I come North on occasion. And I realized, after writing that, that I got mine from Nashbar. Might not be Rhode Gear. I' find it and check.
03-23-21, 06:17 PM
#89
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No idea when I got this but a handy sack for many bikes I ride.
Stuffed it holds a lot!
Stuffed it holds a lot!
03-23-21, 06:36 PM
#90
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If you want a (used but good shape) Flickstand, send me a PM. And allow some time for me to find it! IIRC it had a "shorter" length bail, whatever the working wire was called. I think there were at least 2 lengths sold.
06-18-23, 09:39 AM
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I seem to remember going to Rhode Gear when they were on Exchange st close to the Civic Center. can anybody confirm this as it was many years ago
06-19-23, 03:22 PM
#93
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When we had our first child, he got to ride in a Rhode Gear seat. Maximum protection. After my daughter was born, we went trailer-style.
Similar to this.
Similar to this.
06-19-23, 05:13 PM
#94
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A note on the strap-on mirror: if the lens is broken, one from a mirycle brand can be modified to fit.
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