with ‘spring frame’ Front Wheel: 22”. Rear Wheel: 26″ The hinged rear fork on the model range was designed to combat vibration, the company describing the bicycle as a ‘spring frame.’ The rear spring combined with the forward angle of front fork (below) provides this machine with a unique profile. I bought this fabulous machine in America […]
1889/1890 Gormully & Jeffery ‘American Ideal Rambler’ (for Girls) Read More »
19” Frame. 28” Wheels. Cushion tyres Yost patent folding handlebar Duplex down tube Joseph L Yost was a major player in the American cycle industry in the late 1880s and early 1890s. His various companies included Springfield Bicycle Mfg Co, where he built a geared high wheeler. His next company was Lozier & Yost. After splitting from Lozier, he founded
1894 Yost Mfg Co Falcon ‘No 1’ Read More »
with Quadrant’s patent Suspension Saddle Spring Lamplugh & Brown ‘Long Distance’ saddle Sprung steering head Lever operated Rear spoon brake 22″ Frame. 30″ Front Wheel. 26″ Rear Wheel. Solid tyres The Quadrant Tricycle Co was one of the world’s leading manufacturers in the early days of cycling, introducing many innovations in bicycles and tricycles. The ‘Dwarf Safety’ featured
1889 Quadrant ‘No 17’ Dwarf Safety Roadster Read More »
21” Frame. 28″ Wheels with pneumatic tyres This rare safety bicycle survived with enough of its distinctive head transfer (decal) intact to identify it as a ‘Star. This example was actually Sharratt & Lisle’s 1892 model with minor updates. It still had slotted pedals and an upward sloping top tube like the older models, but the wheels were now
1895 Sharratt & Lisle ‘Special Popular Star’ Read More »
22” Frame. 26″ Wheels It’s interesting to note that the transistor radio came onto the market around the same time as the Radiobike – 1955 – but was still an expensive item, costing in the region of $40 + tax. The Radiobike did not cost much more than that. Although valve radios would soon be
1955 Huffy Radiobike Read More »
Made by S & B Gorton (subsequently Quinton Cycle Co) 18” Frame. 30″ Wheels with solid tyres A few months after this bicycle was supplied by S & B Gorton, their factory burned down. When they opened their new works, they did so under a new company name, Quinton Cycle Co. Harry Lawson, inventor of the safety bicycle,
1890 ‘Earlsdon No 2’ Crossframe safety Read More »
‘Space Vello’ by Wolf of Nottingham ‘Outer Space Blue’ During World War 2, the government started making plans for post-war manufacturing and the export of British goods to bring in much-needed foreign exchange. A Council of Industrial Design was established in 1944 and, just a month after war ended, the BRITAIN CAN MAKE IT exhibition
1980s Bowden Spacelander Replica Read More »
The Hirondelle is one of the most sought-after safety bicycles. Most are now in museums. This example is the same as the one on display at the Musée d’Art et d’Industrie in St Etienne, France. This example was owned by a friend in Europe, who had it in his personal collection for the past 35 years. I sold
1892 Bicyclette Hirondelle Modele Superbe Read More »
Last month an old friend visited me to deliver a bike I’d sold for him. He mentioned the one bike he fancied for his collection was a Triumph Moller. Mine is dearly cherished (now fitted with a sidecar) so I said I’d let him know if I came across another one. I’d like to take
1936 Triumph Moller: Another one sees the light of day. Read More »
Before World War One, Britain led the world in the manufacture of quality bicycles. So, if you were in the market for a quality three-speed gent’s bicycle, and money was no object, which one would you buy? Here’s a comparison of bicycles on offer from some of the leading manufacturers, from the cheapest to the
The World’s most Expensive Bicycles 1908 Read More »
