Collections

flying-pigeon-pa-02-1950.JPG

Flying Pigeon PA-02-1950

In China, the Flying Pigeon is synonymous with cycling, prosperity, and a symbol of the communist regime. The Flying Pigeon Bicycle Company was officially authorized as China’s first bicycle manufacturer in 1949. Since then, over 500 million units have been produced, making it by far the world’s most popular vehicle. In the 1970’s, Deng Xiaoping, […]

Flying Pigeon PA-02-1950 Read More »

exxon-graftek-1978.JPG

Exxon Graftek- 1978

On loan from Cape Bicycle & Fitness of Cape Girardeau, MO.   In the 1970s, the familiar oil giant Exxon also had a sporting goods division named Graftek which produced fishing rods, ski poles, golf clubs, tennis rackets, and bicycles from 1975-1978. Graftek engineers understood the potential of carbon fiber and developed a unique hybrid

Exxon Graftek- 1978 Read More »

specialized-stunt-jumper-1982.JPG

Specialized Stumpjumper-1982

This design was the first mass-produced mountain bike. It came with a lugged-steel frame, knobby 26-inch tires, powerful cantilever brakes, “bull moose” handlebars, a “biplane” front fork, and a 15-speed wide-range drivetrain. When traditional European and American suppliers showed no interest in mountain bikes, Japanese companies such as SunTour, Shimano, and Dia-Compe stepped in to

Specialized Stumpjumper-1982 Read More »

trek-y-frame-1995.JPG

Trek Y Frame Mountain Bike-1995

Trek was an early adopter of carbon-fiber technology. In 1992 it unveiled its first US-made, full carbon-fiber-framed bicycles, the 5200 and the 5500, featuring a new technology called OCLV. This stands for Optimum Compaction, Low Void and refers to Trek’s proprietary process for creating carbon-fiber structures that exceed aerospace standards. 1992 marked another first for

Trek Y Frame Mountain Bike-1995 Read More »

velo--manufrance--mens-retro-direct-hirondelle--modele-11-1907.JPG

Velo Manufrance Rétro-Directe “Hirondelle Luxe” Modele 11-1907

Although Barberon & Meunier first patented the retro-direct system in 1869, the gear system was further developed and refined by other companies, including Manufrance, at the turn of the 20th century. The Hirondelle, or “swallow” (the bird) in French, was introduced in 1903 and became the leading example of the retro-direct gear system and the

Velo Manufrance Rétro-Directe “Hirondelle Luxe” Modele 11-1907 Read More »

velo-manufrance-ladies-retro-directe-hirondelle-1929.JPG

Velo Manufrance Ladies’ Retro-Direct ‘Hirondelle Luxe’- 1920

The ladies’ Hirondelle model features slightly more modern features than its predecessor such as both front and rear brakes. It also offers a “basket weave” protection to keep ladies’ garments away from the rear spokes.   Later versions had 4 speeds, 2 forward and 2 in reverse, thanks to a front derailleur. The Hirondelle Retro–Direct

Velo Manufrance Ladies’ Retro-Direct ‘Hirondelle Luxe’- 1920 Read More »

Dursley-Pederson--1894-web1.jpg

Dursley Pedersen Bicycle-1894

Danish inventor, musician, blacksmith, and cyclist, Mikael Pedersen (1855 – 1929), believed conventional bicycles were “weakest where they ought to be strongest and heaviest where they ought to be lightest.” He, therefore, restyled the conventional bicycle to resolve what he saw as the most troubling elements of design.   In this noticeably unusual product, patented

Dursley Pedersen Bicycle-1894 Read More »