r . i~k -0 B I C Y C L I N G A large spacer allows the use of a headset with a different stack height if replacement becomes wressary . The SunTour AccuShift GPX shift lover has 3 settings : 7- speed, 6-speed, and friction . ANOTHER RACING BICYCLE WITH A CHROME-MOLY frame and Japanese components in the $60(1-$700 price range? Gimme a break, you say . Do these bikes pop out of a mold somewhere in the Far East? At first Bridgestone's RB-1 appears similar to other bikes in this category . But scratch the surface (figura- tively speaking, or the dealer will get mad) and you'll find a bike that's different from the rest . In fact, this one rides more like a European road racer. This is a stiff bike that's better suited to fast riding than leisurely jaunts . The 73-degree head angle and 74 degree seat angle help give it this responsive feel . But the longish 16 .25-inch chainstays and 39 .5-inch wheel- base keep it from feeling jittery. The 4.7-pound frame (for our 56-cm test bike) is
Transcript
r.
i~k -0
B I C Y C L I N G
A large spacer allows the use of a
headset with a different stack
height if replacement becomes
wressary. The SunTour AccuShift
GPX shift lover has 3 settings : 7-
speed, 6-speed, and friction .
ANOTHER RACING BICYCLE WITH A CHROME-MOLYframe and Japanese components in the $60(1-$700 pricerange? Gimme a break, you say. Do these bikes pop outof a mold somewhere in the Far East?
At first Bridgestone's RB-1 appears similar to otherbikes in this category . But scratch the surface (figura-tively speaking, or the dealer will get mad) and you'llfind a bike that's different from the rest . In fact, this onerides more like a European road racer.
This is a stiff bike that's better suited to fast ridingthan leisurely jaunts . The 73-degree head angle and 74degree seat angle help give it this responsive feel . Butthe longish 16.25-inch chainstays and 39.5-inch wheel-base keep it from feeling jittery.
The 4.7-pound frame (for our 56-cm test bike) is
built in Japan with Ishiwata EX 4130chrome-moly. The tubing is triple-butted, meaning the tube walls have 3different thicknesses to save weightwithout sacrificing strength . The fork,built with the same steel as the frame,weighs 1 .6 pounds . Our test bike to-taled 23.6 pounds, about average for theprice .
Bridgestone made some unusualchoices in designing the RB-1 . The staysand fork were shaped to accept widertires (up to 700x32C) for winter training .Spokes are by Wheelsmith, a nice touchfor a bike in this price range. (It comeswith Wolber's 478-gram, 20-mm-widerims, which are light and quick.) Also, alarge alloy spacer in the Hatta Vesta steelheadset permits the use of a longer steer-er tube. This allows the bar and stem tobe positioned higher than with conven-tional headset spacing. There's anotherbenefit-if the original headset wearsout, you can replace it with virtually anybrand, regardless of stack height .
Instead of the GPX platform pedalsthat normally come with this group, theRB-1 is equipped with SR SP-200s.These have track-style cages that don'textend past the body, thereby improving
cornering clearance.Not so unusual-but a good choice
nonetheless-was SunTour's new GPXgroup, including 7-speed index shiftingand round chainrings. Shifting was posi-tive and firm across the 13-23T free-wheel. In fact, I came to prefer it toother index systems I've tried becausethe clicks are so pronounced .
The AccuShift lever features 3 set-tings : UL, for index shifting with Sun-Tour's narrow-spaced Ultra-7 freewheel;F, for friction shifting ; and RE (regular),for index shifting with most standard-spaced 5- or 6-speed freewheels . The REsetting is useful when switching to an-other wheel that does not have an Ultra-7freewheel. (Use the F setting for 7-speedfreewheels other than SunTour.)
The GPX front derailleur shiftsquickly, and the lever's large barrel di-ameter shortens the movement requiredto shift chainrings . What's more, there'sno chain rub, an improvement over pre-vious narrow-cage SunTour road derail-leurs. Even when climbing hard out ofthe saddle, I couldn't make the chainscrape the derailleur cage in the 2 ridablegears with the severest chain angles(42x14 and 52x20) .
The GPX brakes are solid and depend-able-one staffer says they did their jobwith nary a squeal on the screaming de-scent from North Carolina's Mt. Mit-chell. They feature a small, tightlywound spring inside each caliper arm, anarrangement that SunTour says retainsstrong spring action longer .
The "Balanced Response System"brake levers, which feature a returnspring, operate smoothly. They also havea built-in "reach adjuster" that allows rid-ers with small hands to move the levercloser to the handlebar. (It's done via anallen-key adjustment under the brakehood near the top of the lever body.)The hoods feature right- and left-handshaping for a better grip. The click-stopquick-release at the caliper allows you toopen the arms in case a mishap causes awobbling rim.
Other features include an Avocet rac-ing saddle and 2 pairs of water bottlecage bosses .
Our test bike had an eye-catching,white-and-black paint scheme. Solid redis also available. But whatever color youchoose, you can be sure your bike didn'tcome out of a mold. -Scon MartinSee specs on page 100.
ilADDOGS.Want bad-ass performance? Look no further than the
Specialized 3600s .Tough, light and all day comfortable .With a new traction hungry outsole . A thermoplasticinsole for the right blend of walking flex andriding stiffness. The 3600s are made to last .When it comesto off-road action,thesepups make all the other shoesroll over and play dead .
oft*00oSPELUAL/ZED
SPECIFICATIONSSCHWINN ALUMINUM 564
DiSbVubd by: Schwinn Bicycle Co .217 N. Jefferson St .Chicago, IL 60606
COURby of origin: U.S .Srrggesbcd ReWPrim: $570Sores Amiable: 19 to 25 in . (center-to-top) in 2-in . increments, 23 in . tested
