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news
Metropolitan Machinists 15Cycling catalogue from 1896 - see what gear was in back then!
One of the things we love about the internet is that it allows us to share what once upon a time would have been brochures or pamphlets once passed from hand to hand and becoming more dog-eared each time.
It’s not that long ago that instead of being able to ogle the latest gear on the internet, you’d have to pick up a catalogue from the local bike shop from whichever distributor they had a deal with.
Go back further still though, and you can find some real gems – have a look at this catalogue from the Metropolitan Machinists’ Co. from 1896 which has been posted on Spitalfieldslife.com.
Several things strike us; Brooks has been around for a very long time, cutaway saddles are nothing new, and antisocial cyclists existed (“the faults of [cycling’s] votaries are visited upon it”).
As did hipsters in a part of London now synonymous with them, judging from that chap’s moustache – indeed, source these products and turn up with them half an hour before the Tweed Run starts and you’d be quids in.
But “sperm” being the best form of lube – that’s a new one on us. We're guessing they mean sperm whale oil… hope so anyway.
Pictures courtesy Bishopsgate Institute.
Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.
Latest Comments
- wtjs 14 sec ago
There is an increasing 'disconnect' between comments in this topic and reality. Cords are either all cotton or mostly cotton and are going to last...
- ktache 5 min 16 sec ago
The batteries were not the easiest to find, and the brackets broke easily. The switch was far better than the D cell quick release ever readys that...
- ktache 31 min 30 sec ago
There are people out there who will make you the belt out of your old tyre.
- chrisonabike 32 min 37 sec ago
Furry dice and an air freshener for your helmet.
- AidanR 45 min 26 sec ago
Looking at the pictures in the linked article, the bikes aren't actually inconsiderately parked. The only issue is that they're on private property...
- Simon E 1 hour 20 min ago
Ah yes, those are hopefully not the 'master craftsmen' that has constructed a wide range of shoddy Italian cars and motorbikes over the years with...
- Simon E 1 hour 42 min ago
A SuperSix is definitely not an all-rounder....
- chrisonabike 2 hours 34 min ago
Just get them to walk a treadmill - or better, ride exercise bikes to power path lighting.
- AidanR 3 hours 10 min ago
So his advisers were trying to move funds around to cover losses, but in a way that needlessly created additional liabilities? It would have been...
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26 comments
Rifle clips? Bah! Dog cannons:
"Best and most effective method to protect oneself against unpleasant annoyance by dogs. The dog cannon is equipped with a string with which it is to be attached to the handle bar. When one wants to fire the cannon, it is sufficient to pull the same off and throw it after the dog; it will explode in the next second like a gunshot."
This German cyclist has a much more impressive mustache than the British cyclist in the Electrine oil advert.
Can we have a lumen test on those lightweight lamps please?
Cutout saddles too. What will they think of next?
Need to get me one of those rifle clips!
Grey tweed capes 8/6?!!
Cheaper down at Aldi Brothers Co. Damnable hipsters!
Excellent. It's a treasure trove of ideas for anyone looking to get their next big idea off the ground via Kickstarter, isn't it? Loved the trouser/rifle clips, and the Compactum Luggage Carrier has about £130 in Shoreditch written all over it.
This would make a great poster.
The "best mud guards" look remarkably similar to Crud guards, front and rear!
Brilliant and informative
.
After all the negative aspects of our pastime / sport being posted recently, (PED's , Accidents and of course anything on bull headed, cheating, horrible human, cancer beater, lack of remorse, waste of print, plum) this is a very welcome change to the norm. More of this please.
If they were printed I wouldn't mind it hanging in my cave.
Right click - save as. Then print it. You will have to check the copyright if you put it anywhere public though.
I just wish I could buy a Brooks saddle for eight bob these days (that's 40p in new money!)
I think I need the rifle clip for my daily commute.
I have just noticed that there is a bugle listed too! Fantastic.
Anyone know how Brooks naming works? there are B10s, B11s, B20s, B28 and B30? but the "normal" B15s and B17s don't exist.
Have you taken a good look at that racing saddle? I went cross-eyed just thinking about it. God, they must have been tough in those days. Is this where the cyclists predilection for suffering comes from?
Rifle Clips????
And just to prove that there is nothing new under the Sun: Folding mudguards.
It's just stuff you'll see everyday if you ride through shoreditch...
brilliant!
1896 coincidence, my club, Bolton Clarion C.C. was born, has been going ever since.
I don't know how I survived so long without tyre heaters in my life.
Well maybe this fella had read these and got confused and thought that he was doing a service
http://road.cc/content/news/77536-danish-police-seek-man-who-repeatedly-...
I would like a bugle at 3/6 please. Good for commuting around London I imagine.
'Sperm' was extracted from the head of a sperm whale, rather than the head of a gentleman's gentleman.
Spoilsport!
Now you tell me, 10 minutes too late. What was I supposed to use to clean my chain again?
How are we supposed to get hold of this stuff, if there aren't any links to the suppliers?
A transparent chain case - marvellous idea! I can imagine that stays just as clear as the glass on my oven door.