There was a time when nearly every serious Dutch cyclist wanted a RIH racing bike.

A century ago in Amsterdam’s bustling working-class Jordaan, two brothers launched their dream. In a humble upstairs workshop nestled in a narrow, gabled brick building, they built their RIH bicycles. RIH grew to become one of the most celebrated racing bicycle brands in the Netherlands. Handcrafted steel RIH bicycle frames claimed an impressive legacy of 63 world and Olympic championships, all from the same modest werkplaats.

After three generations of craftsmanship, the Westerstraat doors closed. The end of an era.

Cycling is a way of life in the Netherlands. The Dutch cycling nation is famed for its classic pragmatic and upright black omafiets. That was not RIH.

Known for crafting exceptional custom competition and sport bicycles, RIH operated out of a workshop the size of a one-bedroom apartment for nearly nine decades. This small-scale operation involved just two or three skilled craftsmen. There was never an assembly line.

RIH became a renowned name within the Netherlands’ vibrant track and motor-paced racing community. Inside this close-knit circle of cyclists and frame builders, personal relationships flourished. One of the brothers did not just build these high-performance bikes but competed with them, adding to the brand’s cachet.

Beginning in the 1950s, a series of RIH racing victories increased demand. However, the family struggled to meet this heightened interest despite production agreements with other firms. Ultimately the landscape of the cycling industry shifted—leading to market consolidation, the introduction of new frame materials, and the rise of automated Asian factories. These factors contributed to RIH’s decline, resulting in its closure in 2012.

For those interested in cycling history and Dutch cycling culture, RIH remains a testament to the craftsmanship and passion that fueled the sport for decades.