Having come across a brochure for RudiAltig bikes, and signed by him, I would like to add to the two recent mentions of these bikes. The brochure highlights that Rudi was four times World Champion. The bikes were manufactured by Han Schauff of Remagen/Rhein, "Real racing bicycles manufactured under the supervision of Rudi Altig winner of 4 world championships and numerous other competitions". The brochure shows 3 bicycles with the Rudi Altig name (not Schauff): all three model use "super-light Columbus or Reynolds tubing" and each is identified by its Campagnolo gruppo, The "Super Record", "Record" and "Gran Sport" model. A 4th bike is pictured as well, a "Junior 24", a 48cm frame for the "rising generation". This frame uses "light seamless alloy steel tubes" a Campy der., Weinmann or Universal brakes, and 24 inch tubular tires.
Angel Garcia Long Valley, NJ
From: "J. Moriyama" <bikerx@excite.com> Subject: [CR]Rudy Altig Date: Tue, 29 Oct 2002 00:45:54 -0500 (EST)
Back in the seventies I remember seeing some Rudi Altig bikes, but haven't seen any since. Does anyone know what the story was with these bikes, and if they are in demand. I believe Rudi was a German cyclist. Thanks,Jeff MoriyamaOrange County, CANear the home of the 2002 World Series Champions
From: Jan Heine <heine@mindspring.com> Subject: [CR]Rudi Altig Date: Tue, 29 Oct 2002 07:17:45 -0800
Rudi Altig was a German pro cyclist, rode the tour, I believe. Of of many German promising stars who didn't live up to expectation - Gregor Braun and, significantly more successful, Jan Ulrich come to mind, too. The only Rudi Altig bike venture involved a manufacturer near where I grew up south of Bonn, Schauff. This was in the around 1980.
Schauff mostly were making low quality department store bikes, and the Altig bikes were among them. These bikes were ubiquitous in the region, thanks to a discounted factory sale program. Yet, they were the butt of many jokes for their low quality. Discerning kids rode Peugeot ten-speeds and dreamt of the PX-10 hanging in the window of the local sewing machine and bike mechanic! (Yes, it's true, in Germany until recently, if you wanted to train as a bike mechanic, you'd have to learn to fix sewing machines, too! Tradition...)
Schauff also had a pro shop where some nice racers were built by hand, but under the Schauff, not the Altig name. The son of the company's owner - named Schauff - was a friend of mine in middle school. He had one or two of the pro bikes. Spoilt kid!
Altig lived in the area and was good friends with the Schauffs. He also had some Adidas sponsorship deal that may have involved shoes with his name.
I do not know of other Altig bikes, but like Merckx, whose name started out on department store bikes, he may have done different things later.
Jan Heine, Seattle