A bit more about brakes - or lack off. It appears that De Dion - Bouton early bikes and standard models essentially had no brakes; fixed gear only. I presume the standard models were aimed towards more "Blue Collar" folk.
When the De Dion - Bouton model line-up was expanding brakes were offered on "Luxury" models
along with mudguards and chain guard. Seems like all the "road race" bikes however never had brakes.
So there we have it. Not getting covered in shit and oil plus being able to stop (slow down) was considered a
luxury which the gentleman would pay for. The poor and racer boys would go fixed, and join the LFGSS forum
Newspaper adverts from 1912 and 1921, without and with brakes.
When the De Dion - Bouton model line-up was expanding brakes were offered on "Luxury" models
along with mudguards and chain guard. Seems like all the "road race" bikes however never had brakes.
So there we have it. Not getting covered in shit and oil plus being able to stop (slow down) was considered a
luxury which the gentleman would pay for. The poor and racer boys would go fixed, and join the LFGSS forum
Newspaper adverts from 1912 and 1921, without and with brakes.