My '93 RB-1 fit 32mm Avocet inverted thread cross-type tires. I bought the frame and fork (it came with a headset) and weighed it at the time. It was 6.2 pounds or so (corroborated here: https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/778487-bridgestone-rb-1-1993-a.html). My Roadini, by contrast weighed about a pound more. I put some parts I had lying around and on it and it weighed about 22 pounds ready to ride (pedals, bottle cages, etc). I can't tell whether it's stiffer, but it's definitely more flexy than my Ti touring bike which has 43cm chainstays and is modeled after the RB-1.
On Thursday, July 20, 2023 at 5:35:06 AM UTC-7 [email protected] wrote: > I wish I had a breakdown by model and year (I don't!) but the Bridgestone > RB series varied the tire clearances by year. Some years fit a bigger tire > than others. For example, the TIG welded 1990 RB-2 could clear a 32mm tire. > I haven't encountered apocrypha indicating *any* RB-1 could clear more > than a 28mm. > > More on that 1990 RB-2 here: > https://www.sheldonbrown.com/bridgestone/pdfs/bstoneRB2synergy1990.pdf > > As Ex Lion Tamer alludes to, there are other frames out there you can find > that are cheaper than a top tier Bridgestone. Those frames have a lot of > cache and often are not cheap. > > Here's another helpful iBOB thread with some discussion on RB-1 ride > quality and suggestions for other frames to seek out: > https://groups.google.com/g/internet-bob/c/IYFf1tLmYPM/ > > Grant would say that any Riv is better than any Bridgestone. Better made > and without compromises. If your POV on tubing and geometry aligns with > Grant's then Robert's your mother's brother. > > On Thursday, July 20, 2023 at 8:24:18 AM UTC-4 Johnny Alien wrote: > >> The RB's in the 90's were advertised as around 22 lb total for a >> mid-sized frame and that was built with a lot of non-light parts. I would >> guess the frame is lighter weight and flexier than a roadini. >> >> On Thursday, July 20, 2023 at 7:46:23 AM UTC-4 Eric Daume wrote: >> >>> If the Roadini with its double oversized tubing is lighter than an RB1… >>> I would be very surprised. I’ve owned both, but probably 20 years apart. >>> But tall head tubes, long chainstays, and heavy tubing all add up quickly. >>> >>> Eric >>> >>> >>> On Thursday, July 20, 2023, exliontamer <[email protected]> wrote: >>> >>>> An RB-1 is a relatively heavy bike especially in 59cm & up & I wouldn't >>>> be surprised if the Roadini is the same or possibly lighter. That said, I >>>> don't think that's a bad thing depending on the frame size, your personal >>>> pedaling style/power, weight, etc. When I was focused on only riding fast >>>> I >>>> had a 59cm frame with EL/OS tubing that was very thin walled, flexy, & >>>> light. I'm 6'1" & weighed 160lbs at the time & that bike was too whippy >>>> for >>>> me personally. It took getting a '93 RB-1 (62cm wouldn't fit a 32 btw) to >>>> make me realize that I preferred a stiffer frame...also my average speed >>>> increased even though the bike didn't "plane" & was 2 lbs heavier. >>>> >>>> I'm glad Jan & that crew are doing their thing but the message can get >>>> tedious. I'm sure it works for some people but a lot of it seems to be >>>> presented in a one size fits all way. All that said there are a lot of 90s >>>> steel frames that will fit a 28. Plenty of affordable lugged Bianchis that >>>> will be lighter and less expensive than the RB-1. I also second the used >>>> aluminum recommendation. Even the new Cannondale Optimo has clearance for >>>> 32s and, as long as a carbon fork doesn't freak you out, starts at 1k for >>>> a >>>> complete bike that's solidly spec'd and has rim brakes. >>>> On Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at 11:27:12 PM UTC-5 Joe Bernard wrote: >>>> >>>>> It's sacrilege to say but if you want a zippy road bike as a >>>>> compliment to what you already have - a steel Rivendell road bike - for >>>>> $1000 or less you can scoop up an aluminum >>>>> Trek/Cannondale/Specialized/Giant off Craigslist and probably have a lot >>>>> of >>>>> fun. And you can test ride it! >>>>> >>>>> On Wednesday, July 19, 2023 at 6:14:40 PM UTC-7 [email protected] >>>>> wrote: >>>>> >>>>>> Hi all, >>>>>> >>>>>> I have really fallen for these luscious new Roadini builds I've seen >>>>>> at Riv and Blue Lug. >>>>>> >>>>>> I have a Sam Hillborne and love it. It's been through several >>>>>> iterations of cockpit/racks/bags/brakes/wheels/tires and all have been >>>>>> really fun. Right now it has flat bars with sweep, chunky 47mm tires, >>>>>> and >>>>>> is an excellent all around adventure/trail/camping ride. It's currently >>>>>> my >>>>>> only bike! >>>>>> >>>>>> Before the Sam, I rode 90s road bikes exclusively for 20 years, and >>>>>> those worked great for city/commuting/neighborhood/pub rides. I've heard >>>>>> that the Roadini does NOT offer that kind of >>>>>> ride/speed/feel/handling/gusto/whatever, from several folks in this >>>>>> group. >>>>>> >>>>>> So am I fooling myself into thinking another $2500 Riv build is going >>>>>> to scratch the itch? Or should I buy a <$500 Japanese Road Bike that can >>>>>> hold 33s and actually feel some performance? >>>>>> >>>>> -- >>>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>>> Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. >>>> >>> To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send >>>> an email to [email protected]. >>> >>> >>>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>>> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/854bd364-6c73-477e-b2bb-3bc8b67b11c3n%40googlegroups.com >>>> >>>> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/854bd364-6c73-477e-b2bb-3bc8b67b11c3n%40googlegroups.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer> >>>> . >>>> >>> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/d173f260-3917-4e35-bec6-eedb114ebc77n%40googlegroups.com.
