Bikes of America (and Canada!)

[zerogravitas]

Hercules were experimenting in 1955. Post 334.

https://www.retrobike.co.uk/threads/vintage-french-randonneuers-and-porteurs.449944/page-34

Amazing how early this was all going on. WWII and then Cold War innovations in adhesive technology really shook things up, leading to the composite bikes of today.

Thanks for posting your Graftek @bulgie - I knew of them as one of the earliest carbon bikes but hadn't appreciated that they used steel lugs in the same way.

I think we need a 'bonded bike' megathread!

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

Amazing how early this was all going on. WWII and then Cold War innovations in adhesive technology really shook things up, leading to the composite bikes of today.

Thanks for posting your Graftek @bulgie - I knew of them as one of the earliest carbon bikes but hadn't appreciated that they used steel lugs in the same way.

I think we need a 'bonded bike' megathread!

Nah, it would fall apart, I have my coat thanks

 

[zerogravitas]

To get back on topic, I don't think David Kirk has been mentioned yet.

I love how his bikes stand out but have a real refined elegance to them.

http://kirkframeworks.com/galleries/bikes/

 

[Canuk]

To flip it the other direction, a 1907 RaCycle with skip tooth 42T chainring.

 

[Canuk]

RaCycles were made by the Miami Cycle and Manufacturing company of Middleton, Ohio.

Bikes like this one followed high-wheelers onto the cobbled streets of early 1900’s America. With newly invented roller chain and pneumatic tires, this would have been a luxuriously smooth ride compared to a Penny-Farthing.

One of the selling points of the Pace Maker was the massive front chainring (equivalent to a modern 84-tooth ring) that was meant to attract attention and suggest higher speed (but the big ring was actually offset by a big back cog that ended up producing a comfortable gear ratio).

The new air-filled tires were mounted (using shellac as glue to wooden rims made of maple.

Check out the poster art for it!

 

[Canuk]

Slightly off topic, but another Kirk, out of Ford Dagenham! Apparently it only took 8 seconds to mold and entire magnesium frame. No gimmick, they were used by the TVM team in the Tour de France. Tough enough for Phil Anderson, but they were plagued by production problems.

 

[Canuk]

Raleigh America 1984 funny bike for the LA Olympics

 

[Canuk]

The goal for Raleigh and their aero lo profile the bike project was a medal at the 1984 Olympics. This was a National Team bike built for the 100km Team Time Trial event.

The bike project was a success! Ron Kiefel, Davis Phinney, Andy Weaver and Roy Knickman brought home bronze medals. While the riders did most of the work, there were a whole bunch of design elements on their machines that made going fast just a little bit easier.

 

[Canuk]

1970 Schwinn Stardust

 

[Canuk]

Quality rack and QR assembly. From the catalog:

Schwinn Stardust
…the Shopper’s Bike!

The special new lightweight Sting-Ray bike for mother or daughter. A delight for shopping. New chrome plated basket carrier and removable floral trimmed shopping basket with handy carrying handles. Quick release clamp on carrier makes basket removal simple.