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Stanley Shaw established the Shaw Manufacturing Company in 1903. Operating out of an old drug store, Shaw sold Elgin and Waltham watches in the front of the store and built small gasoline engines in the back. In 1905 Mr. Shaw secured a patent for a small, air-cooled, 400cc engine that, when sold as a kit, […]
Columbia Bike-1896 with Shaw Motor Kit -1916 Read More »
Aerothrust Engine Company was a small manufacturer in Chicago, Illinois that made small engines and propellers. They mated these two products together to make a semi-universal propeller propulsion unit. These units were to be used on bicycles, small boats, and ice sleds. What you see here is an Aerothrust unit mounted to a B. Klinedinst
C.B. Klinedinst Special Bicycle with Aerothrust Propeller- 1914 Read More »
From the 1930s to the 1970s, this was the way high-quality bikes were made: Lugs, which are cast steel sockets, were fitted to the corners of the frame. Next, metal tubes were fitted to the lugs and held in place by brazing or silver soldering. The process was labor-intensive, and factory workers were considered craftsmen.
Raleigh Sovereign Lugged Steel Frame-1970s Read More »
By the year 2000, carbon fiber had emerged as the leading material for high end-bikes. Early models such as this one used lugs and glued-tube construction. Later models were “monocoque” or 1 piece construction. Carbon fiber was laid down in molds and shaped by inflated bladders within the molds. By carefully shaping the finished product,
Trek Carbon-Fiber Road Bike Frame- 2000s Read More »
By the 1980s, advantages in manufacturing allowed the extensive use of TIG welding (Tungsten Inert Gas).No lugs were required, and frames became lighter. More importantly, the method allowed greater automation and reduced manufacturing costs, at the expense of less craftsmanship and individuality. Specifications: Designer/builder: Trek Country of Origin: Waterloo, Wisconsin, USA Weight: 2721.55g/
Trek TIG-Welded Steel Mountain Bike Frame-1980s Read More »
The New Mail welded steel frame design dates back to 1891. Notice how the basic diamond frame and proportions have remained relatively unchanged in the past 120 years. This replica was produced for Euro Disney, Paris. Specifications: Designer/builder: William Read & Son Country of Origin: Boston, Massachusetts, USA Weight: 4082.33g/ 9lbs.
New Mail Safety Bike (replica)-1891 Read More »
The KtraK kit is a replacement rear-drive assembly that turns any mountain bike into an all-terrain vehicle. Released in 2006, the base kit costs $ 400 and consists of a composite wheel and polyurethane track. The goal of the kit, invented by Kyle Reeves of Vancouver, Canada, was to boost traction so that difficult
Kestrel, a company formed by a group of ex-Trek Bicycle Corp. employees, set out in 1986 to revolutionize performance bicycles. When the Kestrel 4000 was introduced, it was the first commercially available bicycle frame completely made of aerodynamic carbon fiber tubing. Although carbon fiber, a super-lightweight, and strong material, had been utilized in smaller bicycle
First proposed in 1987 by Norwich based bicycle designer Mike Burrows, the original design of this bicycle was rejected by many British bicycle manufacturing companies as the monocoque frame was deemed illegal by the UCI for use in competitive cycling events. When the ban was lifted in 1990, Lotus Engineering agreed to further develop and
Lotus Type 110TT- 1992 Read More »