1968 - RIH-Sport Super Course - as fast as the wind

Amsterdam Bustraan brothers Willem (Wim) and Joop started their business in about 1921 and gained first reputation with Jan Hijzelendoorn riding one of their creations in sprints with finishing as the new dutch champion in 1924 and becoming RIH Bustraan the first Dutch frame builder that could build lightweight frames.

There´s much guessing about the companies name. Some argue RIH standing for Rijwiel Industrie Holland. However, one of the founders noted in an interview that RIH was named after Kara Ben Nemsi's horse, a character from the books of Karl May.

In 1928 the company moved to the well known address in Westerstraat. In 1948 the brothers handed over to Willem Jr. and Wim van der Kaaij started as an apprentice, who became the new owner in 1973 when the Willlem Jr. Bustraan retired and made frames until the companies end in 2012. He passed away at the age of 77 in 2014.

Between the start of the sixties and 1970 when Fongers was acquired by Batavus-Intercycle they built lightweights in series under the RIH name. Round about 1972 Willem Jr. started a collaboration with the Cové Fietsfabriek from Venlo, where bicycles and frames were made and sold under the brand name RIH.

That´s the reason, why you should have a closer look to the frames head badge and other details of the frame in order to separate the high quality frames build in Amsterdam from those budget frames made at Fongers or Cové. Cové frames are recognized by Venlo mentioned on the head badge for instance.

When during the 1950s large sponsored cycling teams entered the stage, RIH's successes because henceforth the sponsors decided which material was used. This was a major change in the peloton, because until that time the individual riders took that decision.

Among RIH's customers was Gerrit Schulte, becoming pursuit world champion in 1948 against Fausto Coppi, Arie van Vliet (Berlin and Zurich 1936, Amsterdam 1938, Amsterdam 1948, Zurich 1953), Jan Derksen, Jan Pronk and Hennie Kuiper (1972, 1975) as well as Keetie van Oosten-Hage (1968, 1975, 1976, 1978, 1979), Galina Tsareva, Galina Yermolayeva and Valentina Savina.

During his professional career, Peter Post for instance rode the track and on roads solely on frames built by Willem Bustraan. Even when riding for Willem II-Gazelle and Flandria, the RIH-built frames were rebranded.

Later on and between 1989 and 1996 RIH became material sponsor for the Dutch national cycling federation Royal Dutch Cycling Union (KNWU).

However, Amsterdam RIH Bustraan bikes were ridden successfully by women and men in 350 national championships, in 63 world championships and Olympic gold medals in both road and track events.

That´s the partslist that´s planned to be used of it´s rebuild and setup

Bottom Braket: Campagnolo Record
Headset: Way Asulto
Crankset: Campagnolo Record
Front Derailleur: Campagnolo Record with cable stop
Rear Derailleur: Campagnolo Record
Shift levers: Campagnolo Record
Brake Lever: early Weinmann
Brakes: early Weinmann 999 center pull
Wheelset: Campagnolo Record with MAVIC rims
Saddle: Brooks
Seatpost: Campagnolo Record
Stem: 3ttt
Handlebar: 3ttt
Pedals:

Frame tubing: Reynolds 531
Fork tubing: Reynolds 531

More to come soon. Stay tuned