Vintage Bridgestone Bicycles

James used to collect Bridgestones, and at one crazy/insame period of his life in college, he owned more than a dozen of these. He sold most of them before going to work in Japan back in 1993, but he kept a humble few for his return. Unfortunately, a cycling accident in Japan resulted in a life-changing event that stopped him from riding much and his bikes lost favour.

Recently, however, James has gotten back in the saddle and started riding to work twice to three times a week. After many years of commuting to school on a bike, it felt good to return to his roots. But technology changed in the last 2 decades. Bikes are cheaper now - more disposable. Made of non-fatigue-resistant aluminum instead of tough steel, bikes aren't much lighter, but they don't last long. And components seem ever cheaper and flimsier than the old days.

But Craigslist and eBay come to the rescue and create a market for vintage steel bikes. And slowly, the stable of old Bridgestones is growing again. Bridgestones are special because designer Grant Petersen, now of Rivendell Bicycle Works in Walnut Creek, was a true pioneer of geometry for Bridestone from its beginnings in the early 80's to 1994 when Bridgestone stopped producing bikes for the US market. So that's all that's left of them. Here, we show you some restored vintage bikes. Some from Grandpa, some that Warren will ride, and some that James rides.