ONE OF THE TWO: Bridgestone MB-1, large - OR - Neil Orrell 531st tourer, 59 ctc

UPDATE: Neil Orrell sold, I'll miss it loads, but glad it stays in the forum. Donation made

Bridgestone MB-1, 1988, original groupset, mostly original parts.
Stack: 560mm
Reach: 440mm
Seat tube: 550mm ctc
Top tube: 590mm ctc

Tange Prestige MTB tubing
Schwalbe Kojaks 2in
Shimano Deore XT throughout

If you're not familiar with Bridgestone bikes of this period, it's worth reading a bit about it online. It avoids me feeling like a knob writing stuff like 'a true classic'. It is, though. There's useful catalogue scans on Sheldon Brown.

The original cockpit is flat bar + Ritchey Force stem, included on sale. Inspired by the picture below, I installed period correct 3tt WB-1 dirt drops (rare), Dia-Compe levers and Rivendell thumb shifters (to keep it Grant Petersen compliant).

It seems like people set up their MB-1s as touring/adventure bikes, especially in America. Like this chap, for instance:

I used the bike with front rack and luggage on travels and can vouch for it. I also took a punt in adding a ghetto Jones bar, as documented here. I'll include it in the sale as I thought it's a great setup for this bike (no warranty though).

Points of note: The stem and seat post are generic, and you'd probably like to replace them for something that makes justice to the build. That said, the beautiful original Ritchey stem is included, but in all likelihood it'll place the drops too far ahead. The saddle is a Specialized Toupe (I think).

Bike is in Dalston/Hackney.

That is lovely. Have an MB2 I need to build

Some interest but that seems to have gone cold. I've now put the dimensions on bikecad, this is how it's currently set up.

More pics of the Bridgestone:

Neil Orrell is the bike I have the longest, and the one who gave more miles and smiles than any other one. It's a 531st tourer, lovely forks with a beautiful curve, clearance for 32mm + guards (I've fitted 35mm Compass there with guards), chromed details, beefy stays for carrying load. It's a great bike, bought from this forum a few years ago and since upgraded with new wheels, dynamo, beautiful Nitto stem and seatpost (to put a Brooks in the right place for me), and GB mudguards. Condition is a pretty solid 'used'. There are marks, scuffs, dents on the guards, but it's all working reliably. The frame might deserve a posher build.

This is the frame's history according to Mr Orrell himself, in 2014:

the frame was built in 1979 for a Graham Trunks, who looked after it well as you say, Graham has poor health now so he handed his bikes over to his son to dispose of. The frame was re-enamelled perhaps about 5 or 6 years ago but I don't think it has been used much since.

Well, it has seen plenty of use in the past years. Enough romanticising, specs are:

Stack: 598mm
Reach: 383mm
Seat tube: 590mm ctc
Top tube: 560mm ctc

Reynolds 531st
Shimano DH-3N80 front, Shimano Deore XT rear laced to Mavic A-319
Campag Veloce 9 speed shifters, Shimano 9 speed cassette (works fine)
Dia Compe cantis
Lumotec front and rear lights
Nitto S84 lugged seat post
Nitto Dynamic stem
Nitto noodles bar

Really keen on the bridgestone but worried the tt might be too much for me.

Yes, it's quite long and low, which means either lots of seatpost or chode stem. Or flat bars.

That said, the saddle to hoods distance is the same on both bikes as pictured.

The Bridgestone is fucking amazing @sorethroat do it!!!!

Found a pic of the Neil Orrell with 35mm tyres

What are you doing here!? You're right though.

@ough whereabouts are you based, can I dibs and come try it out?

pm'd

interested in Bridgestone, but frame only

Both are lovely, wish I had cash and space for the Orrell.

I don't need that Bridgestone, I don't have space for that Bridgestone. But my goodness I want that MB-1. Bump and GLWS.

And I quite fancy that Orrell too.

I wish I had cash and space for both

Remember seeing the Orrell in current projects quite a while ago and thinking it was gorgeous. Very tempted as my size but already have plans to fill the functional hole in my life. Beaut.

A couple of near misses, but for now seems like both bikes are still available.

Sure I seen you on the Orrell a few days ago in east London, I literally stopped in my tracks and thought oh what a beautiful bike.

Good to see it's on ere'

the fade across the seat cluster on the Orrell is beautifully judged. Pity he was Neil.

@mk1mark yes, it's lovely in the flesh

@ra1 it's actually a respray, and I don't think it's done to a standard that makes justice to the bike. A bit thick in places, and the red fade goes unevenly over the rack bosses. But hey. I wonder what the original colour was.

Neil Orrell sold, thanks all

Real long shot here but is the Bridgestone still around and for sale?

interested in the bridgestone as well