Barrettscv 

RRB is a bike shop in Kenilworth, IL. Ron Boi is the owner and manager of the shop. He continues to sell new name-brand bikes, custom built framesets, custom built bikes and provides service.

One of his better known models is the RRB. The frameset was sourced from Taiwan during the 1980's and 90's. Tange Champion 2 tubing was used to construct the frameset to Ron's design using lugged construction. Below is an example from about 1985. It features a wheelset handbuilt by Ron using 27 inch Matrix Strada rims on Suntour Sprint hubs, 27 x 1 1/8 tires fit the frame easily. A 13-28 six speed freewheel is used with a 86 BCD Stronglight 100 model 52 & 42 crankset. Shimano 600 shifters, derailleurs, brakes and brake-levers are used. The bike was built to provide sports level performance, light enough for racing but value priced.

rhenning

Ron or his brother also built in house many of the bikes Lon Haldeman and Susan Notorangelo used in their RAAM years. Roger

PedalTraveler

Nice looking bike, and great information to share, thanks!

RobbieTunes

Doesn't smontanaro have one, as well?

Barrettscv 

He might, I hope he chimes in. Some of the RRB bikes featured frames built by Ron in Chicago. These are highly collectable.

due ruote 

About a year ago he had their winning tandem frame in the shop. Very cool. It may still be there for all I know.

Bandera

RRB built some of the most understated and effective custom framesets "back when", a class act.

-Bandera

big chainring 

Wow, so much history at that shop. I was just in there yesterday. Topics of discussion, Ukraine, Chinese building the railroads, and goats in the laundry room(he has a farm).

Raced with him way back when. The RRB Velo Club Roubaix was quite a site in the 70's. Ron painted his team bikes orange, and the team was decked out in orange white and black jerseys. Unmistakeable and highly visible. I'd love to get my hands on one of those team bikes.

thinktubes 

Very nice!!!!!

See a lot of these on the North Shore. The fruit doesn't fall far from the tree....

zazenzach

understated and beautiful indeed.

Chrome Molly

I have one of those Taiwan import bikes. For its price point, very thoughtfully designed and well made. Nice riding enough that I wanted to find way to keep it in the stable. Mine came to me poorly treated with heavily chipped paint and a couple minor dents in the seat tube. After some reluctance I decided it needed a refinish vs massive amounts of touch up. Keeping the cost down, I had it powder coated over the winter. I converted it to a light gravel/path bike with some very different than original gearing. Converted to 700c it has room for some almonzo 30's. Should fit the bill between roadie and cross bike.

crank_addict

Nice thread opener. Have a silver RRB w/ 600 (import).

Barrettscv 

That's a very complete rebuild and I share your evaluation of the bike. A well designed frame can be great for a wide range of uses, but so many bikes fail at being versatile. This RRB is the ideal sport bike and was a bargain. The Tange Champion 2 is very close to Columbus SL in stiffness and weight. The frameset could be built-up as a 19 lbs racer or could be built as a ultra-light touring bike if a triple and stronger wheels were installed. As you said, it works as a pavement and gravel road bike with 700x30 tires while retaining a road-bike geometry and short-reach caliper brakes.

I often wonder why more bikes are not designed like this.

jjhabbs 

Ron Boi is a good man. He was a client for 10 years.

Mr IGH

I was lucky enough to work there from age 15 to 23. I was Ron's first mechanic, started working there in the spring of his first year at the older store in Winnetka (1975). Ron coached me to several top 10 finishes in the USCF Junior National Championships in fields that included a future three time TdF winner and the only American to ever win the Giro. I'll never forget the experiences of working with Ron and Wally, it's hard to imagine how lucky I was.

Still have my RRB but it's a little small for me after 35 years, aero belly and all.

big chainring 

Hey Mr IGH. Good to see Plankton on the screen.

crank_addict

Great summary on the RRB import. Such a sweet all around machine. They have an understated, no glory look about them which to me makes them more appealing. Components were 'business' grade too. ST Sprint hubs, Mavic 36 hole for tubulars. Stronglight cranks, Shimano 600 for the rest of it. Curious what other well known (if any) frames were made by the same in Taiwan.

Other: His vintage bike collection is jaw dropping. I see them on fleabay but although too rich for me, I'd love to be a keeper of a few and ride them.

gioscinelli 

I saw and did some business with Ron on parts. Ron is mainly involved with Ebay, has a feedback rating of over 17000, wow! His brother still works at the store in Kinnelworth while Ron does his outside business. It was great talking about Ebay with him and he also enjoyed the conversation relating to many other subjects, too.

Barrettscv 

Yes, Ron is a good person to know if you enjoy C&V bikes. He is one of the best in Chicago for frame repair. I have been able to depend on Ron and Wally for rebuilding my bikes, including my 1978 Trek TX900, 1983 Trek 970, 1987-ish Serotta Nova Special X and my 1997 Simoncini.

gioscinelli 

Hey Michael, Is that the RRB that was on CL out of Northbrook?

Barrettscv 

No, I picked mine up in Highland Park in January. I was lucky to be the first one to email the seller and I went to buy the bike within 2 hours from getting a reply. I paid $225, the middle aged seller was the original owners son. It's a we bit small for me, I'm waiting for better weather to see if it will fit my son.

due ruote 

Another testimonial - I've been riding this one fixed lately and really liking it. Just a great riding frame, light, quick, sure-footed and comfortable.

russd32

I've been keeping my eyes peeled for one for quite a while. They pop up on Chicago CL occasionally and one of these days one will be in my size for the right price.

crank_addict

Will be back to Bloomington this coming weekend and if up for a ride, PM me.

Anyhow, these rides are terrific for all around use. Has 80's Shim 600ex der. and brakes. No finicky brifters. Especially if you bang-up and just need straight forward reliable knock around tough downtube shifting.

For overnighter or minimalistic CC travel, I use a handlebar bag setup in addition to a Camelback. The extra bottle is for my coffee or energy drink. My 'man bag' is actually an SLR camera bag from Case Logic. Happens to perfectly fit the 80's Canondale bag support without any mods. I carry a change of clothes, shoes, camera, snacks and flask. The quick attach set-up - front support, bag, lights AND fenders is installed or removed in less than 4 minutes. Not that its a race or anything but is convenient. The shorty fenders and schtuff all fit in the padded bag. The Case Logic SLR bag is an awesome way to go.

bikemig 

This is a really great thread. I'm not familiar with the bike but one of the reasons I picked up a Bridgestone RB-1 was because it could fit a little fatter tire and has eyelets.