This book is a "must have" for anyone who loves old custom road bikes and learning about the master craftsmen who built them.
Left: This book was a gift from my wife Carolyn. It was a totally unexpected and wonderful surprise. This book features some of the finest handmade bikes that you will ever see anywhere. The photography is fantastic and the writing is very informative and enjoyable.
Here is a 1985 Alex Singer "Campeur". I have always been a big fan of the GT triple triangle frame. Which has been described as virtually indestructible. I "thought" I had an original idea recently. When I pondered the idea of adding a top tube to a Mixte frame to form a quad triangle frame. Looks like someone has already thought of it. And before you e-mail, Yes I am aware those are not all triangles. I think the front two areas are quadrilateral(s) I know Steve will let me know if I got that wrong. At least I hope so.
Above: The start of a Porteur Race in Paris (1958). Each rider carried 33lbs for 23.75 miles. In about 1968 myself and a few friends took Schwinn Stingrays and removed the banana seats and replaced them with a racing saddles. Then we added front (and sometimes rear) racks. Then we would would mount the fattest knobby tire we could fit on the rims. These made great little newspaper haulers and were also great fun on the "vacant-lot trails" after the papers were delivered. There were no actual bicycle paths or trails in those days. At least not in our little neighborhood. I don`t think they even have news-boys in the old neighborhood anymore. Those were great days(:
Here is another bike from the book that was way ahead of it`s time. I am of course referring to the "Bio-Pace like" crank.
This is one of my favorites from the book. A two speed bike that to change gears you just reversed your pedaling direction. I have a feeling that one of these in working condition would fetch a pretty penny.
A beautiful 1949 Rene Herse. This bike had a rear drum brake for reliable braking on long descents. I love the hammered fenders. A very classy looking ride.
Many of the innovations these custom bike builders developed are still in use today. Example: Check-out that front brake, Amazing!
My wife tells me you can find this book on amazon.com much cheaper than the 50.00 US or 57.50 Canadian shown on the back cover.
Till next time RIDE SAFE and Remember to always RESCUE, RESTORE & RECYCLE
Cheers, Hugh
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