I have that bike, reworked as a 2-speed city bike. https://www.flickr.com/photos/37542512@N04/6708087263/in/set-72157628383880621/ I paid $225 on CL for it 3 or 4 years ago, and it was in nowhere near as good condition as the one you’re looking at (judging from the pictures). I love it – lots of clearance, very pretty, nice relaxed ride (I’m not in the camp that has issues with the slack geometry and relatively long top tube, but I’m running mine with Albatross bars, which minimize the long top tube). I believe the rear spacing is 126, but so what? You can cold set it, or you can probably fit a 130mm hub in there without modification. But as far as that goes, why not just overhaul the hubs that are on it, especially if you’re trying to conserve $$$? The pics suggest either that the bike’s been well cared for, or it’s been sitting around for 25 years. Either way, the hubs and likely the whole wheelset ought to be salvageable. The gold ano Araya rims are cool.
But the real expert on all these ‘80s MTBs is Bobby Birmingham on this list. From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of drew beckmeyer Sent: Monday, January 26, 2015 3:14 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [RBW] MB2 as budget tourer so now that i have been doing longer/overnight rides, my fiance is showing interest in joining me. she is a great camper already, though slow to warm to bicycles. id like to start setting up a reasonably capable and attractive (touring) bike for her, but i dont want to go too far into the money pit because i'm not sure how long this interest will endure. at the same time, i cannot really abide a crappy bike, or a bike that is good but looks crappy. so im looking for a middle ground with a final build less than 500$. (lots of parts lying around should make this doable) i found this '85 mb2 on ebay. 1985 bridgestone mb2<http://www.ebay.com/itm/1985-Bridgestone-MB-2-Commuter-REFURBISHED-Shadow-Blue-Gold-Shimano-4130-Chromo-/141498139737?pt=US_Bicycles_Frames&hash=item20f1f24459> im aware that there are maybe some slightly more capable bikes in the price range, but this has lugs and is pretty, which will be a selling point. the size is right for her and everything. you guys know more about these than i do, so.. is this a reasonable price? any issues that would prevent this from working as an occasional tourer? any better options that fulfill the affordable/reliable/attractive criteria? anyone know the rear spacing? 126 might be a deal breaker. thanks! -- 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]<mailto:[email protected]>. To post to this group, send email to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ **************************************************** This email (and any attachments thereto) is intended only for use by the addressee(s) named herein and may contain legally privileged and/or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient of this email, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this email (and any attachments thereto) is strictly prohibited. If you receive this email in error please immediately notify me at (212) 735-3000 and permanently delete the original email (and any copy of any email) and any printout thereof. Further information about the firm, a list of the Partners and their professional qualifications will be provided upon request. **************************************************** ============================================================================== -- 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 post to this group, send email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
