Bikeville thoughts and news

For Sale- 1938 Raleigh Golden Arrow

2012-01-31T14:18:00.000-05:00

1937-1938 Raleigh Golden Arrow. original paint, decals, finish.

20" center to center seattube, 21.5" center to center toptube
Sturmey Archer AW-7 3 speed with top tube shifter.
Dunlop 26 x 1 1/4" rims.
Raleigh R front wingnuts
Sturmey Archer rear wingnuts
Raleigh fluted cranks and Heron chainring
Terry saddle
Headclip stem with Lauterwasser handlebars
replacement fenders, originals will be included, but they are broken.
one original hardened, deformed grip.
new tires.
$1100

I can deliver to the following swaps at no extra cost- Westminster, Dudley, Monson, Copake, Memory Lane, Ann Arbor, T-town, Highstown, or Cirque. I think that is most of the swaps in the next few months I will be at. payment and arrangements to be made beforehand.

Space required for bikes

2012-01-30T14:06:00.000-05:00

Post War French Aviac Aluminum Bicycle

2012-01-26T08:25:00.000-05:00

Cool bike we bought a couple years ago. These pictures were taken by Dale Brown of Classic Rendezvous when we brought it down to Cirque when we got the bike. It was as found, with the aluminum rack on top of a rare rear Lefol fender with a rack built onto it.

Swap Meet table

2012-01-25T11:34:00.003-05:00

Kunstradfahren(artistic cycling) + techno music

2012-01-24T08:14:00.001-05:00

Katrin Schultheis and Sandra Sprinkmeier from Germany, the four times World-Champions.Unless you like techno music, I would recommend turning down your speakers on your computer. Music is Erol Alkan and Boys Noize- Lemonade.

More information on Kunstradfahren here.

Torrington 1930s-50s Track handlebars for sale

2012-01-21T08:54:00.000-05:00

25mm clamp diameter. 39cm center to center drops. Original plating. American made, and would look great on your 6-day race bike or early Schwinn Paramount.

$250

1965 Schwinn Varsity for sale

2012-01-20T08:37:00.000-05:00

original and very nice condition Schwinn Varsity. from the serial number the frame was made just before Thanksgiving in 1965. Equipped with the Sprint line of derailleurs(that were just rebranded Huret for Schwinn)
19" frame(center to top seattube)

$sold

BSA Paratrooper bicycle

2012-01-16T07:30:00.000-05:00

This really clean and original BSA paratooper bicycle was sold recently by a friend of our bike shop and we worked on it about a decade ago.
(Please pardon the photographs, as I did not take them.)

some bicycle badges

2012-01-15T08:02:00.000-05:00

laying around my house. I rounded them all up and put them into a cubby. Hetchins, Cinelli, Dawes, schwinn, Lightspeed, Coventry Eagle. and Louvet.

Cinelli lugs rough and prepared

2012-01-14T18:52:00.000-05:00

Sturmey Archer Lockring for sale

2012-01-13T08:25:00.000-05:00

Sturmey Archer lockring for 12 spline drivers. (TF, and other pre-WWII hubs). For use with a single speed freewheel. Quite rare, we had this reproduced from an original we had. $60

Old Spokes Home restoration 1914 Peerless

2012-01-12T08:38:00.000-05:00

Amazing bike. read about it here and more pictures on Old Spokes Home blog. Little known fact about Sturmey Archer too.
and yes, I know I just mentioned Old Spokes Home a week or so ago.. . .

Team Schwinn Paramount track bike

2012-01-11T08:11:00.000-05:00

With it business slowing down this winter, we have a chance to clean up and photograph some of our bikes we have up stairs. Here is a Team Schwinn track bike. Outfitted with lightened Campagnolo hubs laced to Schwinn Approved rims. Titan chrome steel stem and handlebars. Unicanitor track saddle. Still has the original Clement Seta track tires, but they are not holding air.

BSA bottom bracket shell

2012-01-10T08:16:00.000-05:00

Multitasking Six Day Racer

2012-01-09T15:00:00.002-05:00

Photo by Derek Berwin.

September 25, 1936, Piet van Kempen track-standing at the track in Wembley, UK the morning of a six day cycling event.
He was known as the "King of the Six Day" and "The Flying Dutchman", from the Netherlands.

Hurlow touring bicycle

2012-01-09T08:45:00.000-05:00

Here is photographs of the recent Hurlow we recently acquired. Some beautiful craftsmanship.
More information on Bill Hurlow is here on the Classic Rendezvous website.

Bastide pedal

2012-01-08T07:58:00.000-05:00

Sorting out some pedals at the shop I came across this rare Bastide stamped pedal. It is probably made by Lyotard. Hopefully the other side will surface but we do commonly buy stray pedals with the idea that we will find the other side in the future.

Here are pictures of a Bastide that I saw at a swap meet and should have bought. . .

1938? Hawthorne for sale.

2012-01-07T08:32:00.000-05:00

1938ish Hawthorne. Have chrome chainguard and dropstand, Tailight lens, included. Locking fork(no key). repainted, As bought from collector. $900

can deliver to any of the East coast swap meets, such as Butler or Westminster, etc.

EA horn button and unique locking fork.

rare curved crank arm. comes with he fabric to cover the other side too.

1939 Mercury for sale

2012-01-06T07:26:00.000-05:00

Repainted 1939 Mercury balloon tire bicycle. will include rear drop stand. Clean headlight replaced original fender ornament. As bought from collector. $800.
We can deliver to Butler, Westminster, Dudley, or Monson, or Memory Lane or Ann Arbor.

Older Schwinn Paramount we are piecing together

2012-01-05T07:19:00.000-05:00

One of our winter projects is to put this early Schwinn Paramount together. Randomly over the last year we had bought the frameset from one collector and the wheels at a swap meet. I had also bought a correct set of Paramount cranks and seat, and we had a handlebar and stem set for it. I can't wait to see it completed.

Update- we took a closer look and under the red spray paint, the frame is chrome plated! Pretty amazing!

Old Spokes Home in Velonews

2012-01-04T09:04:00.000-05:00

Our friends at Old Spokes Home in Vermont were recently featured in VeloNews.
What a collection of bike and very well laid out. They have an amazing collection of bikes. Oh, imagine if Via Bicycle was organized like this.. . .
Photos are here

1972 Baby Blue Schwinn Paramount track

2012-01-03T07:19:00.000-05:00

53cm center to center. Campagnolo Nuovo Record group on it. Cinelli stem and handlebars.

3 new bikes in - Hurlow, chrome Paramount road, blue Paramount track

2012-01-02T12:26:00.000-05:00

Details to follow soon. with more pictures and such.

Early Campagnolo crank boxes

2012-01-02T08:34:00.000-05:00

Rare to see these, let alone 3 of them together.

Some crank pictures

2011-12-31T08:33:00.000-05:00

Some Stronglight left crank arms

Variety of cranks and chainrings

Extremely large chainring on this 170mm Stronglight mod. 93

Columbia light roadster

2011-12-30T15:48:00.000-05:00

Gift Certificates!!!

2011-12-23T08:46:00.000-05:00

Gift Certificates sound like a cheesy gift idea but to many bicycle addicts and riders are difficult to buy for. Sure you might know they are looking for a 32 hole Campagnolo Pista front hub, or double cable stop for a Simplex 543 rear derailleur, but most loved ones and friends are left wondering what to get them.

well. . . . .Gift certificates! we offer them in different denominations. You can see it as buying them a tuneup for their bicycle so badly needs or for a couple inner tube replacements. Or for them to pick up a couple accessories such as lights or bells or fenders for this time of the year. Or the ultimate, want to buy them a bicycle but unsure exactly what they want, and in what color?????

your solution is that easy. check and check. on to the next loved one.

For Sale 54cm KAS Vitus road bike

2011-12-09T14:25:00.001-05:00

KAS model Vitus bicycle
54cm center to center seat tube.
Campagnolo Super Record cranks, derailleurs, shifters, and brake calipers.
Campagnolo aero seatpost, bottom bracket.
Specialized headset and sealed bearing hubs.
Mavic ma40 rims.
Dia compe? aero brake levers.
Turbo saddle.
Cinelli handlebars and stem.
replacement brake pads(not original campagnolo brake pads)
I will include a set of Campagnolo SL pedals, not pictured.
Sean Kelly rode on the KAS team in the mid 1980s.
of course this is NOT his bike.

$800

Masini's blog of L'Eroica & Cambio Corsa bikes

2011-12-09T07:00:00.000-05:00

great looking photos and interesting write up after riding L'Eroica on a Campagnolo Paris Roubaix gear systems.
check out this blog

Bicycling Magazine sticker

2011-12-01T12:20:00.001-05:00

we received our official window stickers today. yeah.

Schwinn Paramount chrome junior racer

2011-11-28T18:15:00.001-05:00

This petite Schwinn Paramount is one of the newest additions here. The Stronglight Mod. 93 crank arms have been shortened and tapped, effectively now making them 145mm long. The frame is Reynolds double butted tubing and Nervex Pro lugs, but the fork crown is the older 1950s design. The fork also has an unusual rake for a track fork, probably to provide ample toe clearance. It uses 24" tubular wheels.
Oh yeah, no Paramount headbadge, but instead a Hill Cycle sticker, so probably sold through the legendary Philadelphia cycle shop.

late 1950s Ephgrave Super No. 1

2011-11-24T08:53:00.000-05:00

Late 1950s Ephgrave Super No.1 bicycle. Les Ephgrave was a London, England from builder starting at Harry Rensch of Paris Cycles just before WWII and then moved onto Claud Butler before starting to build under his own name. The Super No.1 was the top end model that he built and is known for it's embellished lugwork with windows cut out and the lollipop that he added to the top eyes(seat stay caps).

More information on Ephgrave can be found on Classic Rendezvous and Classic Lightweights UK.

This bicycle is outfitted with all the high end equipment available at the time. First generation Campagnolo alloy cotterless Cranks and Gran Sport derailleurs. Early Weinmann engravedcenterpull brakes, GB spearpoint stem. Campagnolo Gran Sport high flange quick release hubs. Unica saddle with integrated Nitor seat post.Unrestored condition. Winner of 2005 Best Unrestored British bike at Cirque du Cyclisme. We have owned this bike for at least a decade now, and this is one of my favorite bikes the shop has in it's collection.

(photos courtesy of Dale Brown at Classic Rendezvous-shown in his yard 2005)

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T08:37:00.000-05:00

Rain commuting

2011-11-23T07:30:00.000-05:00

Yeah, I'm one of those bike riders that wears a Carradice rain cape. Sure, I look like a big yellow blob, but in my 2.5 mile commute, I remain dry except for my face. At night, I'm extremely visible.

Another happy customer

2011-11-22T08:35:00.001-05:00

(we did lower the seat before she left)

Bits and Bobs Display

2011-11-18T07:30:00.000-05:00

Some people are way better at displaying their cool parts and accessories than I will ever be. This spread is quite impressive and so full of eye candy, every square inch.

Notice the star on the wall on the right side, that was once a chainring.

MaxiCar hubs, JOS lights, mafac, etc.

3Rensho warmup sweater for sale

2011-11-17T07:30:00.000-05:00

Original 3Rensho warmup sweater/jersey. It is a long sleeve, heavy material. There is not a size listed but about 19" from armpit to armpit laying flat, and about 27" long. Some light stains and it is obviously used. Original Japanese model, I am not sure if these were imported in the USA, previous owner stated it was purchased in Japan and was some Keirin racers, but the name escapes me, but that probably doesn't matter anyway here in the states. I can provide more pictures.

$150

Philly Bike Expo cool old bikes

2011-11-16T08:00:00.001-05:00

1970s Pogliaghi track bike.

Frejus Track bike

Cool custom bike

Nice cache of Italian steel(early Bianchi with Cambio Corsa, early 1960s Masi, late 1960s DeRosa, and mid 1970s Cinelli)

Badged Cinelli stem on the Masi.

In Rock mix

2011-11-15T22:07:00.000-05:00

not bicycles, but this is what I do when I am not talking about, reading about, or riding bicycles.I dj rock music and make mixes.

Here is the newest one. You can listen to it online or download it by clicking the down arrow, on the left-hand side. It's free.
RockTits 'In Rock' by rocktits!

Boneshaker magazine

2011-11-15T07:30:00.000-05:00

Who doesn't love cool old pictures of old bikes? What about people riding them too? What about trick riding and even animal hospital bicycles? The newest issue of the VCC's Boneshaker has it all. If you are not a member of the Veteran Cycle Club, I highly recommend it. Membership information is here. There is also endless amounts of information with the VCC, not all pictures.

. . . and yes, I keep an issue of Boneshaker under my bed. it's bike porn.

Veterinarians on wheels.

I would love to see this routine.

1937 Raleigh Golden Arrow

2011-11-13T08:44:00.001-05:00

We recently got this 1937 Raleigh Golden Arrow in. These are the 'before' pictures, the way we bought the bike and we will soon restore it to the correct specifications. The bike will clean up beautifully, the paint looks great and the plating really only has surface rust on it. We are confident that we have a nice set of period mudguards to install as well. Might be difficult finding a set of Shock-Stop grips for it though.

Funny how the kept the original quadrant top tube Sturmey Archer shifter on the bike, even though it had been 'upgraded' to normal SA trigger thumb shifter.

Nice fluted cottered cranks with replaceable chainring.

The Lauterwasser turned upright for a more casual riding position. we will correct that.

BSA Gold Column

2011-11-12T07:47:00.000-05:00

(this is a story I posted a while ago, but after the Schwinn Paramount story, I think I am going to make a regular thing- "swap meet tales")

Late 1940s BSA Gold Column that I looked at a recent bicycle swap meet. I did not purchase it, as the price of the bicycle was not fixed, and as the day went along, the price went up, and then was told the bike was sold, but if I wanted to pay $20 more than the price that it sold for, it could be mine. I don't condone that type of selling.
So I don't know if the bike actually sold or not. Did the buyer not pay for it yet, and if I were to buy it, would the seller just tell the original buyer- 'hey, you should have paid for it.' Or if the original buyer did pay for it, and intended on picking it up from the seller at the end of the swap meet, was the seller then just going to hand back the money and say-'Sorry, this guy paid me $20 more than what I sold it to you for. . .'

It was a very unique bicycle, in original condition, an outstanding example of post war British bicycle. The brakes are quite rare, and i have never seen the decals on the Dunlop Special Lightweight rims, but imagine that the decals didn't last long.

I also picked up an issue of Cycling magazine that had information about this little known model (I have not yet photographed it). BSA had many models of bicycle that started with 'Gold'- such as- Opperman Gold Special, Triple Gold Star, Gold Shield, Gold Crest, Gold Band, and Gold Vase, and that is just from the 1938 BSA Gold Catalogue.

Bike Shop drawing

2011-11-11T07:30:00.000-05:00

This pencil drawing was done by our friend Randall Sellers in 2002. His work is on the small side, I think this drawing is 3"x4.5". It was drawn when the shop was set up opposite what it is now- the shelves and countertop is now on the left when you come in the door, not the right. Oh, we also have a new Fido.

Rene Andre Porteur

2011-11-10T07:36:00.000-05:00

Rene Andre is one of the lesser known French constructeurs but many Parisien cyclists rate him as one of the best. He was a builder in Paris, and used to braze for Cycles CNC. This bike has been restored and recently for sale on Ebay(I don't usually post other peoples auctions, but this bike is beautiful and the seller agreed I could post the photos).
The bike appear to be from the 1960s-1970s. In Fred Delong's Guide to Bicycles(1974), he list Rene Andre as one of the few French builders recommended, along with Rene Herse, Alex Singer, Jo Routens, and R. Ducheron. The blue is perfect, I love it with the box-lining.
The bike is currently for sale (not by us)- I can forward interested buyer the seller's email. I don't know if he ships out of France though. . .

Ambrosio adjustable stem(same design as 3TTT)

large front rack.

Cibie headlight

Stronglight 49d crankset with TA adapter(that appears to have been milled down, or at least profiles rounded).

Notice the chain rest,

Mafac criterium brakes

Mafac inverse levers

Nice fender reinforcement, a treatment done by only the top french builders.

I do like the chrome 16mm crank bolts, rather than the typical covers.

Rouge Lanterne

2011-11-09T07:49:00.000-05:00

Last weekend I decided to ride a PA Randonneurs 200km brevet, my first substantial bike ride since PBP. I woke up Saturday morning realizing I had a flat tire to fix and to locate my winter riding clothes because at the start of the ride it was below freezing. The ride was a beautiful one, with most of the trees still showing color changes. It was a cold ride, my first cold ride since the spring, and snow was seen throughout the route.
It was the first time I have ever finished a bike ride last, it was weird. I was the Rouge Lanterne. boo. I guess when I haven't ridden more than 30 miles since August's PBP, trying to ride 127 miles of 8000ft is a difficult task. I'll do better next month. Another way to look at it is I was the last rider to complete it, attendance on brevetes later in the year really drop off when it gets colder out. It was 29 degrees out when we started.

Maybe I am just good at justifying my lackluster performance.

snow on the side of the road.

cool post office boxes that was inside the Stillwater General Store at a contolle, in Stillwater, PA.

Skydiving

2011-11-08T07:18:00.000-05:00

Well this is not too bicycle related but it is, in a way. After riding a 200km brevet on Saturday, I then went for my first skydive on Monday morning. The day was perfect and the skies were clear. I wasn't nervous or anxious, I just felt this was an experience I wanted to have. Upon jumping out of the plane, in the state of freefall, I wondered why I wasn't scared and I realized the feeling was very similar to descending a mountain on a bicycle. I was more nervous on a bike at 50+ miles per hour, than jumping out of a plane at 12,000 feet(more than 2 miles up).

Brooke landing

my friend Brooke, me, and her mother.

Brown Bilenky

2011-11-06T07:49:00.000-05:00

On a 200km brevette this weekend, I met up with a rider friend of mine and it was the first time I have seen his new bike.
This Bilenky was built as the ultimate randonneuring bicycle. The rider has logged many miles and had gone through numerous bikes contemplating what his ideal bike would be. This is what he came up with. 650b wheels, barend shifters, non-aero brake levers, numerous braze-on eyelets for racks and lowriders, and S&S couplers. One funny braze-on is for the number plate for his PBP placard, he was unable to attend this year, but there is always 2015.
I really like the brown and orange color scheme.

"This machine goes further" is a Woody Guthrie reference

Curtis & Curtis & Curtis's bike

2011-11-05T07:57:00.000-04:00

These picture was taken by Peter Weigle, maybe you have heard of him, and there is a Peter Weigle bicycle in the background. In the foreground is a little bike, of unknown marque, that Curtis set up for his son-Curtis, the third. It as aluminum cottered cranks, fixed gear, and hand box-lining.

Notice the "C" on the fender, that's for Curtis, made from a bicycle spoke.

We added the Sun bicycle headbadge, because it is for Curtis's son. get it.

Tarn bike polo bike

2011-11-04T08:58:00.004-04:00

Here is a wacky little bike we have owned since the early 1980s. It is a bike polo bike built by Mark Mattei(owner of Cycle Smithy in Chicago). It is based on the Grubb bike polo frame design and has 24" tubular fixed gear wheels. TA cranks that look like they were originally taken off a Schwinn Super Sport from the early 1970s, Campagnolo Nuovo Record seatpost with plastic french saddle. The handlebars were added later and were originally from a 1940s/50s Italian city bike, like Frejus or Bianchi.
I couldn't find any information online about them, next time I see Mark, I will inquire about any other information he might have about it.
The bike is super quick and response. oh, and fun. I rode it the Philly bike expo opening night, so you may see other photographs online of it.

Rocket Sprocket

2011-11-03T08:36:00.000-04:00

Here is a funny little idea. Rocket Sprocket, Sprock-O-Matic, made in Miami, Florida. It would turn your bike into a 2 speed, with the chainring being elliptical. Depending upon where the ellipse was, it would make it feel like you were riding in a harder or easier gear. It was a fad, like a mechanical Shimano Bio-Pace. It works on one-piece cranks, and the "pin" on the crank would migrate from one position to the other.

I assume it didn't work well, that's why it never took off. Oval chainrings surfaces in the bike world every few decades. We collect examples, including the Thetic, Durham, and ones made by Suntour and Shimano.

The earliest oval chainring we have is on a 1893 Columbia Model 32. it is a fixed gear with elliptical chainring and it rides like a dream.

Selling a bicycle, a tale

2011-11-02T07:33:00.000-04:00

This beautiful, early 1970s Schwinn Paramount was seen at 2 swap meets this spring. First, it was seen at the Monson swap meet, where it was not for sale, the owner was showing the bike in the bike show.
The second time it was seen was at Copake, where these photographs were taken. I should add that this Paramount is original paint and chrome, and yes that is a Cinelli adjustable stem and track handlebars. The owner was showing off this beautiful, original time capsule bicycle, when a guy approached and asked how much. The owner first said it was not for sale, the interested party prodded more and he came up with a realistic value of the bike. Sold.
He didn't to sell it yet it sold for enough to make him forget his sorrow of losing the bike.

The new owner proceeded to dismantle the bike and attached to the back of this department mountain bike with upturned road bike handlebars. The original owner was stunned. When asked what was to become of his old bike, the new owner said he was going to paint it to make it look less desirable because he was going to ride it in New York City.

(I should also add, when I was driving to the swap meet that morning, I passed the guy on the mountain bike and thought he was just a small town hobo. A few hours later he arrived to the swap in upstate New York and I told him I had passed him. He asked why I didn't offer to pick him up. I said-"I thought you were a hobo."

some random parts on a shelf

2011-11-01T09:01:00.001-04:00

Maybe not the best blog posting but you know the old saying, the parts in the picture are worth a thousand dollars, or something to that affect.

So we have from left to right-
*1950s Campagnolo Gran Sport front derailleur. nos
*Mafac Tiger brake
*1930s-40s Schwinn script brake levers
*Hill Cycle frame sticker

Can someone name that brake lever that you can just see a piece of on the left? it's a rare one.

Schwinn Triple Tandem

2011-10-31T09:33:00.000-04:00

We restored this 1949(ed.) Schwinn triple seater. It looked great in front of the bike shop.
I should add, this 3 seater uses all the same components as the Schwinn 2 seater Town and Country. British made cottered cranks and bottom brackets, drum brake hubs, 26 x 1 1/2"(650b) wheels and 1 1/4" headset. We do carry spares if anyone is looking for parts. inquire.

Bicycle Posters, Art, and cycling maps for sale

2011-10-29T08:00:00.000-04:00

All original, in excellent condition. Beautiful works of art.

*1975 Peugeot Tour De France poster with Bernard Thevent. excellent. 25"x33 Framed. $225

*Early Raleigh Poster with buxom woman. excellent. 31 1/2" x 41" framed, large. probably dates from 1930s-1940s. at the bottom "J Howitt & Sons, LTD. Nottm" "Printed in England, AD414" $750

*Cyclist road map of Philadelphia district. 26 1/2"x33". excellent. dated 1899. mounted on board. $250

*Early Raleigh poster. 30 1/2" x 41" framed. excellent. probably dates from 1930s-1940s. $750

*Les Sports 1954 Tour de France poster. 22"x30", mounted on board(not glued). Bobet won that year. $225

*Barthelemew's Cyclist Touring Map of England and Wales. 27"x33", mounted, not framed. pre-1900. $200

Hill Cycle bike at Philly bike expo

2011-10-28T07:56:00.000-04:00

We will be showing the Hill Cycle bicycle at the Philly bike Expo Vintage gallery this sunday. We even have the Hill Cycle display stand to properly showcase the bicycle. We will also be selling New Old Stock Hill Cycle bells. they are $25 each.

Postal Run

2011-10-27T09:08:00.000-04:00

A morning bike ride to the post office. no cars, just a lot of packages strapped to my early 1960s French Rochet.
Packages were posted to Australia, Japan, France, Italy, Spain, and of course the USA.

Bicicletta Team Philadelphia wool jersey

2011-10-26T12:40:00.002-04:00

This is my new autumn look. This Bicicletta jersey was found at a bicycle swap meet and I love it. I never thought red look well on me, but this does. I love the "B" that is embellished as a bicycle.

Philly Expo Bike Swap

2011-10-25T07:39:00.000-04:00

bike expo information here- http://www.phillybikeexpo.com/Home.html

1950s Bianchi Sport city bicycle

2011-10-24T09:48:00.001-04:00

Beautiful pair of Bianchi Sport city bicycles we recently sold. They were equipped with Bianchi proprietary headset, Sturmey Acher 3 speed hubs, and full chaincases.

Bianchi stamped headclip stem.

I love these brake levers. Notice the Schwinn copy grips.

New Departure Hub display

2011-10-22T09:40:00.000-04:00

what happens in coaster brake hubs are a mystery to some. New Departure, along with Bendix and others, had hub shells cut open for display at local bicycle shops. I have never seen these display boards before by New Departure. It has the cut open hub shells, and then lays out all the parts inside the hub, including the tools to work on the hubs. I didn't even know we had them, they were buried in a corner of our shop. These would make an amazing display.

Early 1960s Dunelt for sale 51.5cm

2011-10-20T15:01:00.000-04:00

This bicycle poses the age old collector question- To part out a bicycle or keep it together?

This bike has such great parts on it, coveted by British bike collectors, but the frame is rather mundane. Don't get me wrong, it is a beautiful frame, with original finish, but it is not a marque like Hetchins or Ephgrave. We would not rob the parts off this bicycle.
Components include GB Spearpoint stem, GB Courier brakes with Super Hood brake levers, Cyclo Birmalux Super 60 rear derailleur and Cyclo Birmalux front derailleur. Dunlop Super Lightweight rims, Bluemels fenders, Williams crankset and Wrights "swallow" type saddle.
51.5cm (20 1/4")center to center seat tube
52.5cm (20 3/4")center to center toptube

$600

Philly Bike Expo- Vintage Bike Gallery

2011-10-19T09:00:00.003-04:00

The Philadelphia Bike Expo is only a week and a half away, and we are trying to drum up support for the Vintage Bike Gallery part of the show. We are not responsible for it, or organizing it, but we would like to see cool bikes, next to ours. And there is a bike swap meet there too! oh, there are also prizes.

Contact information is here, and the registration form is found there as well.

bike expo information here- http://www.phillybikeexpo.com/Home.html

1958-59 Ephgrave Super No.1(british)

late 1940s Aviac aluminum bicycle(french)

Rene Herse Cranks

2011-10-18T08:13:00.001-04:00

Jan Heine(of Compass Bicycle and Bicycle Quarterly)is introducing a reproduction Rene Herse crank. Well, maybe not a reproduction, it might be better to say he is putting them back into production. They can be purchased as either a single, double, or triple chain ring setup. Only one crank arm length, 171mm, and chainring sizes are from 24 to 48 tooth, in 2 tooth increments. For $400, that is a great looking crank, and I will be getting one for my Hanford.

Bianchi City bicycle

2011-10-17T09:30:00.000-04:00

I'm trying to be better about cataloging some of the amazing bikes we have in our collection. It is a rather daunting task as we have quite a few, and some are not all that accessible. It is hard to sell a bicycle if no one knows we have it.
Here is a Bianchi city bicycle. It has integrated handlebars, stem, brake levers and is set up with a Simplex Champione du monde rear derailleur. I have not checked the 'Bianchi' stamped FB hubs for a date code but I believe it is post war. At this time, Bianchi, as many bicycle manufacturers would stamp all the components with the name of their company on it. The saddle, hubs, cranks, pedal blocks and even the aluminum 700c clincher rims are stamped 'Bianchi,' even though none of these components were made in house at the Bianchi factory.
This bicycle is original except for the tires and maybe the grips, they look too new.

1960s Cresent ladies bicycle for sale

2011-10-15T08:14:00.000-04:00

Beautiful Crescent ladies bicycle for sale. In excellent condition, appears to be all original, minus the tires. Ornate aluminum chainguard. The bike is a one speed, with a coaster brake rear hub. An interesting feature is the handle on the seattube to aid in lifting the bicycle, so it can be carried into a house. Missing headlight, but we could include something appropriate.

$400.00 email if interested.

Start your own bicycle repair business

2011-10-14T07:45:00.000-04:00

(advertisement in Bicycling Magazine, 1975)

I wonder how many bike mechanics got their start by investing $29.85. Calculating inflation, what cost $29.85 in 1975 would cost $119.59 in 2010- according to Online Inflation Calculator.

Free ride on a bike at Hill Cycle Shop

2011-10-13T07:54:00.000-04:00

. . . well if you have a time machine, and nine more of these cards. I love this ephemera of old bicycle shops. Here are more posts about Hill Cycle on this Bikeville blog.

Where to Bike-Philadelphia book

2011-10-12T09:42:00.001-04:00

My best friend Julie Lorch wrote this amazing book, Where to Bike- Philadelphia, for rides in the Philadelphia area. We have copies in Via Bicycle for customers to buy and Amazon also stocks the book, if you can't make it down to the shop. And yes, I have contributed a ride in the book as well.

Here is Julie on the local news talking about the book and cycling-

1962 Jack Taylor we recently purchased

2011-10-11T07:35:00.000-04:00

We recently purchased this 1962 Jack Taylor, and as you can see, it has a few 'upgrades.' It is mostly intact, but the derailleurs had been changed for more modern, Japanese ones. The bike was probably set up with Huret Allvit derailleurs and when we get a chance, we are going to return the bike to correct period derailleurs. We are also going to install a Brooks B-17, Lyotard pedals, correct brake pads, TA waterbottle cage, and carefully remove the black tape.
Jack Taylor was one of the most regarded touring bicycle frame builder in the world for many decades.

Here is information on the Classic Rendezvous page
Here is information and serial # registry on Joel Metz webpage
and here is Jack Taylor related post on this blog.

1970s Raleigh bicycles new in the box

2011-10-10T15:10:00.000-04:00

While searching on the 3rd floor for a part for a customer, I remembered that we had some Raleigh bicycles from the 1970s still new in the box. Below are some photos of the boxes. If you are interested, email and we can discuss.

Victor Victoria Ladies bicycle

2011-10-09T17:12:00.000-04:00

1890s Victor Victoria ladies pneumatic safety bicycle. The Victor was made by Overman Wheel Co.

(image from oldbike.eu)

Here are some amazing images of a gentlemens model (1893 Victor Flyer), this webpage is also full of Victor ephemera as well.

Outboard bottom bracket bearings, found now on current high end performance bicycles

Very cool Victoria tilting saddle clamp.

Saddle tilts forward to help a lady get on and off her bicycle with less effort.

(update Nov 2011- bike sold on Ebay for $2100)

Early bicycle front hubs

2011-10-08T07:41:00.000-04:00

These early hubs seen at the Trexlertown(old) bike swap. Notice the various ways spokes are attached to the hubs. Most of these are 1890s. 100 years later, these spoke systems were 'rediscovered' by companies like Mavic, Pulsar, and Shimano, to be used one boutique wheels they were building for elite cyclists.

Campagnolo Nuovo Record group on display

2011-10-07T08:00:00.000-04:00

A seller at the Trexlertown swap meet was displaying this 1975 Campagnolo Nuovo Record group. It was not for sale, per se, but for the right amount of money, anything is for sale at a bicycle swap meet. It was cool with the original receipt and all.

Firestone Twin Flex bicycle

2011-10-06T08:46:00.000-04:00

1938-1939 Huffman made Firestone Twin Flex. Interesting dual suspension balloon tire bike. At this time in bicycle history, manufacturers were trying to make bicycles look and feel like motorcycles for children. These bicycles weighed 45lbs-50lbsand marketed to tweens and teenagers. Many of these bikes had beautiful design and I could only imagine saving up my paper route money to buy one of these machines.

(catalog found on Dave's Vintage Bicycles)

This Twin Flex is original and mostly complete, only missing the tank. The Persons saddle still has the wear tabs. It was a nice find for a fellow collector. Good job, Scotty.

finally updating bikeville website

2011-10-05T08:00:00.000-04:00

About 2 years ago I lost access to the Bikeville.com website. Between switching computers, and information, I misplaced the password and concentrated on other endeavors, starting the blog and focusing on Ebay. Last week I finally regained access, and started deleted items we no longer have, and will probably never come across again. At the same time I am starting to list some new parts we have come across recently and updating the website. I have to still add pictures of most of the new items, but I thought to at least add the items is better than nothing. Below are some of the new parts for sale.

Mavic 175mm 'starfish' cranks

Mavic road hubs, NOS.

Suntour Superbe Pro road hubs

Mafac Cantilever brakes

Simplex Super LJ rear

Turbo saddles

Early and rare Brooks saddles

Concor saddles

Cinelli Unicanitors

Beautiful french bike used as display on PBP

2011-10-04T08:38:00.000-04:00

When I arrived at one of the last controls on Paris-Brest-Paris this year, I was shocked to see this beautiful french bike tied to a barrier as a decoration. Sure, I have seen other bikes placed throughout the route(towns are judged on their display and support of PBP), but this seemed different. This was a 1950s French blue ladies bike with Lefol fenders, dual Luxor le Paen 65 headlight, 650b wheels. I want that bike. For an instant, I thought about how I might get that bike, but that was a sleepless PBP thought. It is similar to our LaPeyle we have, seen below in an artsy Iphone picture.
Here is a video that our bike was used in, of my friend's band, Sun Airway, and directed by my friend Ricardo of Klip Collective.

As seen at recent bike swaps

2011-10-03T07:23:00.000-04:00

I don't own any of these, but they were interesting enough to show the world.

Prewar Raleigh RRA

Colnago with Campagnolo 50th Anniversary group

1910s Pierce Arrow shaftdrive. note the dual suspension and wood wheels.

Western Union bicycle with rare bicycle parking sign!

1930s Elgin Bluebird

Hendee Indian bicycle

1975 Campagnolo Nuovo Record group, all new in boxes.

1974 Colnago Super(original paint)

Schwinn Paramount track tandem, set up as a road bike.

Firehouse Trexlertown bicycle swap meet

2011-10-02T19:49:00.000-04:00

Before

After

55cm Bianchi Campione D'Italia for sale

2011-10-02T08:27:00.000-04:00

55cm center to center seattube, 54cm center to center toptube.
1980ish. Campagnolo Super Record cranks and brakes. Campagnolo Nuovo Record derailleurs, hubs, bottom bracket, and seatpost. The seatpost is has also been milled and pantographed. Ofmega 52/42 tooth chainrings. 3TTT handlebars and stem. The rims are period correct but do not match- the front is a Nisi and the rear is a Mavic GP4. Also included is a set of Campagnolo pedals. The rear derailleur is stamped Pat 79, so that is why I am dating the bike around 1980.

$750

Holdsworth Cyclone De Luxe

2011-10-01T07:44:00.000-04:00

What a beautiful Holdsworth Cyclone De Luxe, with what appears to be bi-laminate lugs, and excellent craftsmanship. The sad thing is that the toptube is rusted out, and that was found after the repaint was striped and little tiny holes became visible under closer inspection. To replace the top is quite a task, one that would probably ruin the lugs, so new ones would have to be fabricated.

This Cyclone De Luxe was the top of the line model during it's short life(from 1948-1951).

HI-E aluminum crank

2011-09-30T07:16:00.000-04:00

I recently ran across these pages ripped out an old cycling magazine, and loved the engineering of the crank. The caption speaks of the pedals, which are unique, but those cranks are funky. I can't really see how it is attached to the spindle. Anyone out there know? Or even better, have a picture?

There is limited information on Hi-e still on the internet, I guess at some point, someone will invest some time and webspace for a history including pictures, or maybe I am missing the website. Here is a collection of information found on Classic Rendezvous website.

Campagnolo / Super Champion Wheelset for sale

2011-09-29T07:46:00.000-04:00

In excellent condition, true and bearings feel excellent. Appears to have very little use, no wear on the braking surface.
36 spoke front and rear. with Campagnolo quick releases. Standard English threading for freewheel.
27" rim size. I don't know what the tires are, consider them a gift, one is newish and the other should be replaced as the rubber looks a little dry.

$200 for the set.
Email me if interested.
Bikevilleatgmaildotcom

1960s alloy bells for sale

2011-09-28T09:38:00.000-04:00

We stumbled upon a box of anodized aluminum 1960s-1970s German bells. new old stock. They are $20 each. Appropriate to mount to the stem of your vintage racer and they have a great tone.

Some bikes & frames that are for sale

2011-09-27T08:50:00.000-04:00

I will soon do individual post for each of these items, this is a preview of some of the items we will be selling in the near future. If you are interested in something beforehand, just email me at bikevilleatgmaildotcom .

Teledyne Titan

(one of the first production titanium frames from 1970s)

Raleigh Tourist

1980s Kas Vitus bike

(Sean Kelly rode on this team, definitely not his bike)

super mint Raleigh Sports

early 1980s Bianchi Campione

Hill Cycle Shop Bell for sale

2011-09-26T23:30:00.001-04:00

Bike Shop bells would be an interesting collection to see.This is from Hill Cycle Shop, that was located in Chestnut Hill, in Philadelphia.

$25

One of the Top bicycle shops in America

2011-09-22T09:41:00.000-04:00

Via Bicycle was just listed as one of the top bicycle shops in Bicycle Magazine. We are all pretty happy with that. Maybe we will get a party????? curtis??

Homemade front hub

2011-09-21T08:41:00.002-04:00

David Perry (of Bike Cult and Bike Work NYC bicycle shop) recently showed this hub. It is cartridge bearing and looks not to difficult to machine. Anyone know more about this hub?

Johnny Coast bicycle in progress

2011-09-20T07:56:00.001-04:00

Johnny Coast makes beautiful bicycles in Brooklyn, NY. I happen to see this bike at an open house at Jamie Swans shop a couple weeks ago. Interesting solution for a front bag support. I really liked the Grand Bois rims as well.
This is the new Nitto stem available now. very nice.

Art Stump dropouts

2011-09-19T09:39:00.004-04:00

Art Stump dropouts seen at on Long Island, NYC . These dropouts were super lightweight
Can you guess what the one unusual dropout is for?

For information about Art Stump on the Classic Rendezvous website.

Biking lets me run

2011-09-18T13:02:00.002-04:00

well not very bicycle related, but I just completed my first half Marathon today. That was all because of Paris Brest Paris endurance.

Racing for Profit prewar cycling catalog

2011-09-17T08:37:00.000-04:00

This 1930s bicycle catalog is a valuable source to see what was available here in the United States before World War 2 for racing bikes. I didn't photograph the whole catalog, also available was a derailleur, all the bits and bobs to build frames(fittings and tubing), tools, tires/rims, and other miscellaneous and sundry.

This photograph is from an exhibit at Sportsman Show at Grand Central Palace, New York City, in 1936.

Pbp performance?

2011-09-16T08:29:00.003-04:00

I was looking around on the internet this morning and stumbled upon this posting on Tarckbike.com . I thought it was funny that the time it took for me to finish riding 750+ miles was brought up, when I posted pictures of some bicycles I thought of as ridiculous for riding a comfortable Paris Brest Paris. At no time during the ride did I think I was not going to finish the ride in the allotted time. I took hundreds of pictures and would stop and take corny scenic pictures with my bike. I even stopped and ate frittes at some random village party outside of Loudeac, that ended with Karaoke and I saw a drunken fist fight. This ride was anything but a race for me, and a lot of other riders I knew riding it. And sure, many were riding the exact bikes I thought were ridiculous, but we all had one goal, finish the ride comfortably. I knew I had another week in France and I did not want to be hobbling around or laid up in my apartment. I finished the ride Thursday and by Friday morning I was completely recovered physically, and even went for a very nice bike ride that Sunday in Bordeaux.

So, for people to look at my time and say it was close to the cutoff, they should know that my last day was filled with casual riding, meeting a like minded Italian rider named Fabio, and lots of pictures and video taking. Oh, and a wrong turn. And would I do PBP again? yes, and maybe slower!

Orange Jamie Swan bicycle

2011-09-15T07:37:00.001-04:00

Recently I visited Jamie Swan and was taken back by his work shop and his bikes. I had seen them in passing before, but an afternoon really gave me time to see that they are some of the finest crafted frames handmade today.

I love the use of spokes and nipples as the rear cable hanger.

Early 1900s bicycle ridden on PBP

2011-09-14T07:19:00.000-04:00

Yes, this bike was ridden the whole route of Paris Brest Paris. It is a single speed with an Eadie coaster brake rear hub, plunger front brake and leather saddle, that has seen better days.
Early bicycle tax plates are visible on the headtube. As cool as this bicycle is, I was happy riding my bicycle with some gears, and proper brakes. Well done to the British rider who completed this ride, PBP he rode a Hirondelle retro-direct, and before that a triple seat tandem, and I think a more conventional road bicycle on his first Paris Brest Paris.

vintage bicycle hugger

2011-09-13T09:07:00.000-04:00

forget about treehuggers.
from Sierra Club website

A couple Bilenky bicycles on PBP

2011-09-12T08:58:00.000-04:00

There were more Bilenkys on Paris Brest Paris, like Christine's orange Bilenky, and think another bike, but I was not the best at photographing, but I tried.

Cherubim seen on PBP

2011-09-11T07:35:00.001-04:00

Great looking bicycle, I have never seen one in person before. Cherubim is a Japanese built bicycle. I wish I took more photographs of it.

more information is on their website.

Bike Philly on Sunday 9/11

2011-09-10T07:27:00.003-04:00

Philadelphia's largest annual bicycle ride is a family-friendly morning of relaxed biking on Certified Car-Free Philadelphia streets.

Bike car-free 10 or 20 mile loops.
Bike a challenging 35-mile loop on shared roads for experienced riders.

It is a great ride to get to know the different areas of Philadelphia and do so without pesky cars around. And it helps out a great cause.

More information here on the Bicycle Coalition website.

Rebour drawing page from 1952 Le Cycle

2011-09-04T09:48:00.001-04:00

I was lucky enough to locate another set of Daniel Rebour drawings during my travels in France. Unlike my other sets of Rebour drawings, I also have the page from Le Cycle magazine that the drawings were used for Win-Win. I now have to have my friend properly restore and make the drawings archival.

My Hanford during PBP

2011-09-03T08:14:00.000-04:00

(photo taken during PBP, I was taking pictures ala Peter Weigle)

My Hanford rode perfectly. The only mechanical issue was a puncture(slow leak) that happened on the way back from Brest to Carhaix. I was able to pump it up to pressure and ride it to the controle to change the tube there. I remember marveling to myself how the bike just became part of me, as it was never an issue. It was a delight to ride and ascended as well as it descended.
One note was how many bikes participating in PBP did not have fenders and how I appreciated the full fenders during the rainfall and after the rainfall.