Classic British Bicycles (200 makers mapped!)

[jim haseltine]

Classic is mostly a matter of opinion(s) so there could be loads of marques missed off, just depends on who you ask.

Point of accuracy - Barton-upon-Humber is on the south bank of the river, not the north.

 

[3wheeler7]

Classic is mostly a matter of opinion(s) so there could be loads of marques missed off, just depends on who you ask.

Too true! Needs to be tied down to a time period, even the classic car books use titles such as Classic Cars of the 60s or 70s or 80s etc etc. I'm sure we could all add a lot of bicycle manufacturers to the map but that would again pose the question "Define a classic bicycle".
I'd rule out the component only manufacturers and leave more space on the map for just the bicycle manufacturers/frame builders who offered an option of complete builds, then try and decide what age defines a classic and draw a line between classic and vintage.

 

[Guinessisgoodforyou]

VMCC say anything over 25 years old is vintage, maybe start there?

 

[3wheeler7]

Let the debate begin!

 

[Andreas85]

Too true! Needs to be tied down to a time period, even the classic car books use titles such as Classic Cars of the 60s or 70s or 80s etc etc. I'm sure we could all add a lot of bicycle manufacturers to the map but that would again pose the question "Define a classic bicycle".
I'd rule out the component only manufacturers and leave more space on the map for just the bicycle manufacturers/frame builders who offered an option of complete builds, then try and decide what age defines a classic and draw a line between classic and vintage.

In my own idea, the word "Classic" is much better than the overused "Vintage". In a more practical sense, I considered classic everything before 1990s (with some exception) for my works.

 

[jim haseltine]

Further to what I wrote earlier, old does not mean classic and classic does not mean old. In the motoring world 'veteran' is defined by hard and fast rules while vintage and classic are just vague and highly dependent on opinion - so much so that both the DoT and DVLA use the term 'historic' for older vehicles. Is a 1960 Trabant a 'classic car'? Some people might like to think it is - probably because they own one but really it's an old car. Yes, you can admire one that's in good condition but that doesn't make it classic. The same can be true of something that was made yesterday - it could be 'classic' straight from day 1, chances are it won't be but it's a possibility. My first proper, ride on the road bike when I was a kid in the 1960s was a single speed of some make that I don't remember. If it still existed in any form would it be a classic? I doubt it - it was a mass produced kid's bike, nothing special. If somebody happens to have spent ages cleaning, polishing and maintaining it then good on them - but it still won't be a classic.
All that is my opinion - somebody else might/will/can think differently.

 

[rwm1962]

Norman Fay showing as Newcastle. He was South Shields. There is a statue of him there too. I'll share this with his son & daughter in law who are friends & neighbours. Wasn't Waugh in Newcastle/Gosforth? Newcastle should be north of South Shields on the map.

 

[Andreas85]

Norman Fay showing as Newcastle. He was South Shields. There is a statue of him there too. I'll share this with his son & daughter in law who are friends & neighbours. Wasn't Waugh in Newcastle/Gosforth? Newcastle should be north of South Shields on the map.

Some position may slightly off due to space and optimization, I wrote a small disclaimer on the side of the map. You most probably right! Thanks

 

[rwm1962]

Cool. Just be aware that despite a 'north-east' cultural identity that sub-regions within the area are very partisan & wrong attribution of a strong local brand from South Shields to Newcastle & vv will raise some hackles! Great project though!

 

[Nob]

I don’t See Argos?
TJ Quick
Rondinella
Alan Chick