mtb-timeline

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<div column 50% #intro>
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===== Ricardo Cycles =====

Ricardo Cycles both imported and locally made bicycles in South Australia ((A state in central [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Australia|Australia]], the size of France and Germany combined, with a population half that of Berlin.))   There is very little information available as to who was behind the brand other than an address and phone number in Regency Park, SA.  Their first mountain bike was likely produced in 1983 based upon date codes on existing examples and their first Bushbike print ad appearing in January 1984, which was likely prepared and printed in 1983.
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Ricardo Cycles started out as Porshe Cycles, with a logo stylistically identical to [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche|Porsche's]].  Somehow they managed to avoid German lawyers for a few years before having to switch brands.  Their new Ricardo logo swapped the magpie for an eagle and downsized the coat of arms to a simple shield.  Ricardo ceased to exist in 1990.

{{porshe.jpg?240|Porshe}}
{{porsche.jpg?240|Porsche}}
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Spot the differences.  The first is from a late 70's BMX Porshe ([[https://porscheforum.com.au/topic/4145-barn-find-porshe/|porscheforum]]) and the second is from a 2014 Porsche RS mtb ([[https://www.motor1.com/photos/419053/porsche-launches-three-new-bikes/|motor1.com]].)

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{{1984.png?360|Jan 1984 Freewheeling}}
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Jan 1984 [[http://www.sustainabletransport.com.au/Documents|Freewheeling]] #23, page  12.

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<div column 50% #s1983>
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===== 1983 Bushbike ====

Derailleurs have 1983 date codes.  Uses Shimano RS22 (1982-83) derailleurs, and AL11 front.  On the introductory ad in Freewheeling #23, it spells the model alternatively as "Bushbike", "BUSH-BIKE" and "BUSH BIKE."  Their later catalogs spell it as "Bush Bike" and it's always written as Bushbike on the bikes themselves.

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<div column 45%>
{{1983.jpg?300|1983 Bushbike }}
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1983 Bushbike [[https://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/viewtopic.php?t=16836&start=700|bicycles.net.au]]

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<div column 50% #s1984>
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===== 1984 Bushbike ====


Appears to be  identical to the 1983 version, except that the inner front chainrings appears to be smaller.  Shimano RS22 and AL11 derailleurs.

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{{1984b.png?300|1984 Bushbike }}
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1984 Bushbike, May 1984 [[http://www.sustainabletransport.com.au/Documents|Freewheeling]] #25, page 49.

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<div column 50% #s1987>
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===== 1987 Ridge Runner =====

Shimano Z501 GS (1986-89) rear derailleur, 15 speeds.

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<div column 45%>
{{1987.jpg?300|1987 Ridge Runner}}
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1987 Ridge Runner [[https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-vintage/148170-show-us-your-vintage-mountain-bikes-228.html#post19567651|bikeforums]]


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<div column 50% #s1988>
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===== 1988 Bushbike GS ====

Upgraded, non-original rear derailleur, original elliptical cranks, u-brakes.

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{{1988.jpg?300|1988 Bushbike GS }}
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1988 Bushbike GS [[https://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/viewtopic.php?t=16836&start=225|bicycles.net.au]]

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<div column 50% #s1989>
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===== 1989 Karroo ====

Named after an [[https://weeds.brisbane.qld.gov.au/weeds/karroo-thorn|African thorn tree]] which likely is the bane of bike tyres.
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Shimano Mountain LX (1989 only.)


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<div column 45%>
{{1989.jpg?300|1989 Karroo }}
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1989 Karroo [[https://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=16836&start=750|bicycles.net.au]]

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<div column 50% #s1990>
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===== 1990 Kurrajong ====

Named after another local plant, the [[http://www.visitsydneyaustralia.com.au/kurrajong.html|Kurrajong]].
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The rear derailleur is likely a Shimano Light Action long cage.  No exact Shimano catalog matches can be found.  Sakae Ovaltech chainrings.


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{{1990.jpg?300|1990 Kurrajong }}
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1990 Kurrajong [[https://www.bicycles.net.au/forums/viewtopic.php?f=23&t=16836&start=725|bicycles.net.au]]

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