Roadman was announced in the spring of 1974. As for BS sports bicycle with drop handlebar of those days, Shine-star (ST-10) and Sprinter (SR-10) were the typical models. Roadman was equal grade with them.
As for the frame, die casting which was Bridgestone's strong point was used for it.
Bridgestone used a sales method which added various optional parts to basic model. It was new attempt in those days.
Moreover, its frame color was colorful, though most of the other sports model was lusterless black. It caused us fresh feeling.

Other than accessories, there were various optional parts such as handlebar, saddle, carrier, chain-wheel, and so on. Customer could have various choices.
However, shops suffered for excess stock, and taking time to attach those parts. Therefore they tended to limit the stock to popular parts.

At the beginning of the sale, Roadman such as R-3 (frame size 485, 10 speeds, 27 inch) became popular between teenagers as a daily life bicycle. Some of them had been used as a buddy of bicycle trip (not dare to say cycling) in the summer long holiday.

Note: At the shop where I had worked as a part-timer, the popular optional parts were front and rear carrier, block dynamo, safety levers, folding basket for school bag which was attached to the side of a rear carrier.

The photo of left was an advertisement of the first model of Roadman in New cycling magazine July, 1974 issue.

I introduce the catalog in 1981 in this page. The models in the catalog became more professional sports bicycle than first model. Roadman was an inferior model of Monox and Eurasia.
As for the frame, seven sizes (from 470 mm to 585 mm) were prepared. The frame was no more die-casting. It had enough specification as a beginner”Ēs cycling bicycle.

Roadman was long-selling model as a beginner bicycle. It might cause sweet memory to people who were students in those days.

The catalog was offered by Mr. Y. U.

This is the front cover. I don't know the name of the model. It might be not strange even if the photo had been put on the back cover of weekly cartoon magazine.
The bicycle in the photo was RM-702. It was 12-speed model. The frame size was 520 mm, and the tire size was 27*1-3/8.
It was equipped with direct-attached outer guide, aerodynamic stem which was made by Sakae, direct-attached bell, aerodynamic cranks, and seat post with grooves. Those of the parts must have caused an image of a professional sports bicycle to you.

The catalog size was A4 in folding condition, became A2 size when you open it.

Here is the explanation about the frame. The front triangle was made of Cr-Mo plain tubes. It had a professional taste because of 16 mm seat stays, oval chain stays, straight ends, and sharp-curved front fork.
The several works on the frame such as direct-attached outer guides on the top tube, and wire guides of Campy type on BB shell were fine.

Here is the explanation about the mechanical sales point such as seat post with grooves, "aerodynamic stem and chain-wheel", BS original SC brake, Neutrial tire, and Shimano Centeron system.

All models of Roadman and superior model Monox. As for Roadman, there were two frame sizes for 26 * 1-3/8 wheel model, and five frame sizes for 27 * 1-3/8 wheel model. All of the models were equipped with 2 front sprockets and 6 rear sprockets (12-speed).

RM-601 Frame size; 470 mm, weight; 13.7 kg, Frame color; 3
RM-602 Frame size; 500 mm, weight; 13.7 kg, Frame color; 3
RM-701 Frame size; 480 mm, weight; 13.8 kg, Frame color; 3
RM-702 Frame size; 520 mm, weight; 13.9 kg, Frame color; 4
RM-703 Frame size; 540 mm, weight; 14.0 kg, Frame color; 5
RM-704 Frame size; 560 mm, weight; 14.1 kg, Frame color; 4
RM-705 Frame size; 585 mm, weight; 14.2 kg, Frame color; 2

The table of the system parts was printed on the back cover. General parts, cycling parts and color coordinate parts were on the lineup


I don't know how long the Roadman was sold because there are no other materials at my hand. However, I'm sure that it was a long-selling model.
The time that teenager was yearning for drop handle bicycle was already over. And the shopping bicycle (so-called mama-chari) has been popular now. I think that students had left from drop-handle bicycle when BS announced Mantis series.