This bike has been a neat one to figure out. We are going with 1991 since many of the parts date code as 1991 but it could easily be 1992 as well. The frame is beautifully made with very nice fillet brazing work but then it has mid-level parts on it. The 500 CX crank with 30/40/50 rings was also a little strange but was likely added to make up for the 24" wheels. The front derailleur has also been lengthened to more closely follow the chain rings. The first thought was some type of trials bike with the 24" wheels and 15.5" tall bottom bracket but that didn't fit with the gearing. A call to Rocky Mountain resulted in some head scratching until they contacted one of there long time builders who remembered the bike. It was designed to be a courier bike and originally had some swinging pedal extensions on it which explained the tall bottom bracket. Apparently, the extensions were removed somewhere along the line. If anyone has any more information, please let us know and we will post up any additions.
UPDATE: Talked to some more folks at Rocky Mountain and gleaned a few more details. The bike was built around a swinging crank extension made by Ralph Lewis of South Africa. Still don't have a set of the extensions but I did add a photo of Paula Newby-Fraser using a set on her tri bike.
Click on thumbnails below for larger images:
Frame | Tange Ultimate Cro-Moly, fillet brazed | |
Fork | Ritchey Logic Cro-Moly, fillet brazed | |
Rear Shock | NA | |
Rims | Araya RM 20, hard anodized | |
Hubs | Shimano Deore DX | |
Spokes | Stainless Steel | |
Tires | Tioga Farmer John | |
Pedals | Shimano Deore | |
Crank | Shimano 500CX 30/40/50 | |
Chain | Shimano | |
Rear Cogs | Shimano cassette, 7 speed | |
Bottom Bracket | Shimano | |
Front Derailleur | Shimano Top Pull, custom lengthened cage | |
Rear Derailleur | Shimano Deore DX | |
Shifters | Shimano Deore DX thumb shifter | |
Handlebars | Rocky Mountain Alloy | |
Stem | Cast alloy, high rise | |
Headset | Shimano Deore XT | |
Brake set | Shimano Deore cantilever | |
Brake levers | Shimano Deore DX 2 finger | |
Saddle | Bontrager C30 | |
Seat Post | Kalloy Cro-Mo | |
Colors | Blue | |
Size | 16" to top of seat tube | |
Serial # | 028 |
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"Ive seen mountain bike rides transform people not just their bodies but their way of thinking. Their spirit." Charlie Cunningham