1986 Rocky Mountain Tantalus

That was basically my initial feeling once they were on there…
They’re a unique piece and I thought they might find a home on this bike being of relatively close age and both local product… I don’t think they’ll stick around though.

They certainly are unique....never seen anything like them before.
 
Nice Build!!
My loooong-time daily rider is a Tantalus in blue. An '85 judging by the date codes on the bits. It is Serial # 040. Fillet brazed bullmoose bars, original wheels (not on bike), mix of Suntour XC and Shimano Deerhead. It looks just like my old Ritcheys but no telling who actually brazed it up.
 

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To answer some questions:
I bought it -as is- in the mid '90s at my bike shop (RIP) in Austin Texas from a hobo. The R. Derailleur was bent so I put on a serviceable but used Deore DX model. I also took off the Saturne HX-32/XC bolt on wheel set because those are un-obtainable. And, the original freewheel exploded in 1994 so it now has a Sachs 7 speed -- and the chain gets replaced from time to time. Otherwise it is as stock except for the Michelins and the leather saddle & grips from a Bianchi Milano. Deerhead cantis, and front der. Suntour XC shift and brake levers, and a Sugino AT 180mm crankset. The HS and BB are stock (I think) Specialized. I keep it mechanically perfect, and never wash it. Beautiful bikes are too tempting to thieves -- and It is my commuter. The folded up newspaper on the rack serves as a splashguard.
There is no tubing decal so I will presume that it is probably Columbus or Tange. The Seat tube measures 20" c to c.
It seems very much like my similarly aged Ritcheys in construction and dimensions. Maybe it is a rebadged Ritchey. I seem to recall some connection between the two companies at that time. Whoever built it -- I owe over thirty years of thanks for the perfect ride.
rm2.jpg rm4.jpg rm3.jpg rm1.jpg
 
Hopefully a ritchey expert will chime in with comments. Doesn't really look like a traditional ritchey
serial number. And a hobo in Texas no less riding it is as out there as it gets. For being that far away from home
it would be more likely to be a ritchey. But if I will stay with my original guess of brodie until proven otherwise.
Ya just gotta love this hobby. Are you and the bike still in Texas?
 
And a hobo in Texas no less riding it is as out there as it gets. For being that far away from home
You would be surprised at what makes its way to the "urban outdoorsman" sometimes. Charlie K started a thread at the other place, many of the "Blue Collar" bikes are found living on the streets


Just caught up on this thread, what a great bike, totally fantastic paint from the Toxic Labs as usual
 
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Hopefully a ritchey expert will chime in with comments. Doesn't really look like a traditional ritchey
serial number. And a hobo in Texas no less riding it is as out there as it gets. For being that far away from home
it would be more likely to be a ritchey. But if I will stay with my original guess of brodie until proven otherwise.
Ya just gotta love this hobby. Are you and the bike still in Texas?
No expert here, but I found this site looking for information on my Ritchey Ultra. http://ritchey.vintagebicycledatabase.com/listing.php

I would imagine that a high end Rocky frameset like the Tantalus was welded in Vancouver by Paul and the crew. I owned a 88 or 89 Fusion and it was definitely a Toyo bike and my brother had a Ritchey Force which was effectively the same bike. Maybe the guys at Rocky Mountain were influenced by Tom's designs if they had a business relationship at the time.
 
You would be surprised at what makes its way to the "urban outdoorsman" sometimes. Charlie K started a thread at the other place, many of the "Blue Collar" bikes are found living on the streets


Just caught up on this thread, what a great bike, totally fantastic paint from the Toxic Labs as usual

I know that thread was from a few years ago but this has to be the coolest 'hack' town bike ever......


cunny1.png
 

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