Thanks for the input, guys. It supports my hunch that they are probably mid-90's Chorus hubs (there
is no wire loop on the nut end of the skewer). Still don't know about the rims-- I do know they were
bought in Europe at least 5 years ago, though.
The reason I ask about these parts is not because I question their usability. I'm sure I could build
the wheels up and they would ride just fine for a long time. The reason I ask is because I'm about
to begin a restoration/customization project. After years of being a student, my career is now to
the point where I can do this project exactly the way I want. Although I've had a lot of fun in the
past cobbling together bikes/components, this time I really do not have to compromise.
The frame is an '89 Bridgestone RB-1. I happen to really like this frame because it is a bit
sportier than the Grant P. spec'd '90-'94's, but still has long chainstays and wheelbase which
gives it somewhat of a 'BOBish' feel. After very careful computer and hand measurement, I have
found that mine (a 63 cm) has almost the exact geometry as a Ritchey Road Logic, IMO, one of the
best road bikes ever made. So, I consider my BStone frame to be a lugged Road Logic, and I think
that's pretty cool.
I'm going to send it out to be stripped, blasted, treated inside, aligned if necessary, have the
head and bb faced, and whatever else is necessary to make it literally good as new. I think it will
cost in the $500 dollar range, which is a bit expensive. But when you consider that I will be
getting slightly historical frame that is exactly the color I want and good as new for less than a
new Road Logic frame, I think it's not such a bad deal.
Now, the question is components. The only downside to the RB-1 is that the frame/fork weight is
nearly a full pound more than the Road Logic, and it is in fact one of the heavier premium frames I
have ever seen. However, modern groups are so lightweight today, if I bought a complete new group I
have calculated that the bike will weigh less than the Road Logic did about 8 years ago. I.e., the
frame may weigh a pound more, but today's Chorus group, saddle, stem, wheels, etc. weighs about a
pound and a half less than the Ultegra group, saddle, stem, wheels, etc. back then. I believe that I
could get the bike down to about 20 lbs.-- not bad for a 63 cm, 6.5 lb lugged frame. I would love to
have a bike like that.
However, I'm not a total weight weenie and I do appreciate the Grant Petersen, BOB-types who use
certain components or types of components because they are good even if a bit heavy. I have the
hubs/rims I described, an 8 speed Athena ergopower/derailleur combination, and a brand new Record 8
speed cassette. That combination should work very well together, but it is kind of a mixture of
levels and the weights probably mean that the 20 lb. dream would be out the window. However, the
weight thing is OK if there is some other reason these components are better than what I can get
today. So my question is, are those hubs/rims (and handles/derailleur) worth the extra weight?
If, for example, if the consensus response to my original post was:
'Yeah, they're perfectly good components, but nothing special about them,'
then I'm going to get a new Chorus group for the Bstone and move all the older mix of 8 speed stuff
over to my wife's bike. (She doesn't care in the least what's on her bike as long as it works.)
However, if the consensus response to my original post is something like:
'Dear God, man! Those hubs are the famous Campy 8 speed hubs! Those were known to be the best Campy
ever made, and every change after that resulted in lower weight, but much worse function! They may
weigh a little more, but they are precious classics and worth every extra gram! Not only that, but
those 8 speed handles are the bomb, even if they were Athena! All that old stuff may be a bit
heavier, but it is much, much better than the lightweight junk you get today',
then I will definitely use those parts on my project bike and be happy regardless of the final
weight. I will then just get a Veloce ergo/derailleur combo for my wife's bike.
So, there you go. Before I start my project, I need to evaluate my current inventory of older parts.
Any help this list could give me in this regard would be greatly appreciated (and thanks again to
those that already responded).
BTW, I do not care about the number of gears. Anything between 7 and 9 cogs is fine with me, so that
aspect will play no role in my decision.
Jim
