I'm speculating, but I think your serial indicates it was the 99th frame that Match built, and that it's just coincidence that Match happened to be building for Riv in 1999. Here's an old thread that shows what's presumably another Match-built S/N (AR25M): https://groups.google.com/g/rbw-owners-bunch/c/FiRW9yFQcC8/m/-Rhos3Ml-QkJ
Like Jim and Josiah said too, that's likely a "60" indicating the frame size. Danny Madison, WI On Saturday, November 22, 2025 at 1:02:23 PM UTC-6 Josiah Anderson wrote: > That JB painted on the chainstay is definitely Joe Bell as the painter. > That doesn't say anything about who built the frame, but I agree that the M > suggests match as the builder. And I would interpret your "09" as 60 upside > down, being the frame size. Is it a 60cm frame? (Probably center to top). > > Josiah > > Le sam. 22 nov. 2025 à 10:24 AM, Rob McEntarffer <[email protected]> a > écrit : > >> The great photos from Max in Boston got me curious about the serial #s on >> my frame, so I thought I'd ask this group for help. Photos attached >> >> - "AR99M" - is that "All Rounder" and 1999, maybe? >> - "09" - no clue! Any help? >> - "JB" - Joe Starck /Joe Bell combo, right? >> >> Thanks in advance for the help if anyone has time to educate me! >> >> >>> >>> >>> >>> >>>> On Wed, Nov 19, 2025 at 11:49 AM maxcr <[email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>>> Hi Everyone, >>>>> >>>>> As mentioned in the CL thread, I was the lucky buyer of the AR from >>>>> eBay. >>>>> >>>>> Here's a bad photo from my basement last night after picking it up. I >>>>> promise better photos at some point in the future: >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> I've always been curious about the early models, the 26 wheels on >>>>> large frame with a tighter geo, canti posts and great tire clearance made >>>>> it super appealing to me. The price was fair, larger ARs don't come up >>>>> for >>>>> sale often. >>>>> >>>>> I'm really happy that my hunch was correct, it's a 59! Which is the >>>>> goldilocks size for me and more appropriate than 57 or 58. >>>>> >>>>> The seller said that the owner was a doctor who recently passed away >>>>> and his wife has been slowly selling his bikes through a friend who used >>>>> to >>>>> work at their LBS (he has a couple of tandems, a Jack Taylor, a Ti Seven >>>>> and others that he's going to list). The bike has the original owners >>>>> name >>>>> in the top tube, which is kinda cool, to keep the legacy going for him. >>>>> >>>>> Now the details. The bike is an early model. Based on the serial >>>>> (JS0030) and the JB in the chain stay, it's a Joe Starck /Joe Bell combo >>>>> from 2000. It's also number 30. 30 what? I don't know, the 30th >>>>> All-Rounder >>>>> ever built? Maybe. >>>>> >>>>> The metallic blue paint with the cream head tube is just amazing even >>>>> after 25 years. There are some minor blemishes and chips as you would >>>>> expect from a bike that has been ridden, but it's really in top condition. >>>>> >>>>> I will probably ride it as is for a bit, but have plans to rebuild it. >>>>> The Ultegra group with brifters isn't what I want. I will probably keep >>>>> the >>>>> drops (they say N Grand Randoneur which I assume is a Nitto noodle >>>>> variant) >>>>> but need to see if they will work for me. I also plan to swap out the >>>>> drivetrain - probably put on a NOS Ritchey Logic crankset that I have or >>>>> a >>>>> TA Carmina that I recently acquired paired with an XTR rapid rise RD (or >>>>> maybe an OM-1?). >>>>> >>>>> For tires, I'd love your thoughts. I'm thinking of RH Rat Trap Pass >>>>> tires, unless you convince me that the Naches Pass or the Simworks Homage >>>>> are a better option. I might want to keep it fendered, not sure... but >>>>> these fenders won't clear a really wide tire. >>>>> >>>>> Anyway, please offer your suggestions as I rethink this build. It >>>>> won't happen until next year given my time availability and other >>>>> projects >>>>> in the pipeline. >>>>> >>>>> As you can see my downsizing isn't going well. I think I'm up to 11 >>>>> with the latest purchase of that time capsule brown Saluki and this AR. >>>>> At >>>>> some point some will have to go, but I have a feeling that the AR is a >>>>> keeper. >>>>> >>>>> Cheers >>>>> Max in Boston >>>>> >>>>> >>>>> >> -- >> Rob McEntarffer, Phd - [email protected] - he/him - Currently >> reading:* Starship Troopers,* R. Heinlein,*, *and *American Harvest** ,* M. >> M. Mockett. *My Blog: **https://robmcentarffer.net/ >> <https://robmcentarffer.net/>* >> >> -- >> > 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 visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/CAAm7hwwqUunddjBrdLjr3zH92ni7kX%3DAGS9Wr0nE%2BM0z9XN5Yg%40mail.gmail.com >> >> <https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/CAAm7hwwqUunddjBrdLjr3zH92ni7kX%3DAGS9Wr0nE%2BM0z9XN5Yg%40mail.gmail.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 visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/rbw-owners-bunch/c3ff2968-4922-4569-9e2e-1b45831e4eddn%40googlegroups.com.
