Hello everyone. My name is Andy Rahe and I am new to the CR list. I used to commute to work on my bike 100 miles a week, but that stopped and now am trying to think about riding to work again, although a much shorter trip. I live in Gahanna, Ohio, a suburb of Columbus. My first bike was an entry level Bianchi and it for sure did the job. Several years later I made a huge upgrade to a custom made Serotta. I am a teacher so I was worried about leaving my Serotta sitting around at school, so I began the search on Craigslist for a vintage ride that I wouldn't be worried about too much.
Now, to my current situation. About two days into my search I found someone selling a Ron Kitching Cyclassic. I researched and it seemed interesting and I was actually able to purchase the bike for $200. I took it to a shop and they got me new tires and cleaned it up for me. The bike looks like this. ( It's my first time using flickr so hopefully this link works.)
http://www.flickr.com/
frame- seems to be in great shape with some rust spots but minimal from my rookie perspective bocama lugs campy parts- hubs, brakes, rear derailleur, shifters, seatpost, pedals TA cranks(?) suntour cyclone front derailleur ideale 92 diagonal seat zefal frame pump cinelli handbars decals seem to be in great shape
OK, 1. so I am not fishing for an evaluation, but I am trying to figure out if this bike is rare or not. I was hoping to commute on this bike but if it's only one of a handful in such shape is that ethically prudent? The gentleman from Craigslist said is grandfather gave it to him and he was a rider, it was in the barn for 20 years. I am guessing besides the new tires,the cable plastic(guides?) and the leather bar tape i had added at the shop that it is all original.
2. I am trying to date the bike. I read somewhere that suntour cyclone wasn't released until 1975, does anyone know the production dates for a ron kitching cyclassic. There are his catalogs and if this information is in there then please feel free to point me in that direction.
3. Is there anyway to tell who actually made the frame, I did find the bocama lug angle numbers all over the place, but there doesn't appear to be anything on the frame that I can see. I've read about Bertin making the frames, but uncertain if one can actually find out.
4. Any other info you have for a newbie about the ron kitching bicycles would be great,
Thanks again for reading my post and I have really enjoyed all the emails on this list.
Andy Rahe
Gahanna, Ohio usa