Lightweight Cycle Catalogues Vol. I and Vol. II
"Highly recommended!"
Vintage Bicycle Quarterly
Reprints of catalogues from famous British framebuilders.
Volume 1 has catalogues of Bates, Carlton, Claud Butler, Ephgrave, Gillot, Hetchin's, Hobbs of Barbican, Holdsworth, Paris Cycles, Raleigh, Rotrax and P T Stallard. 108 pages, 9" x 11", spiral bound.
Volume 2 includes Baines (Flying Gate), Carpenter, Granby, Harrison, Higgings, Macleans Featherweight Cycles, Mercian, Paragon, Mal Rees, Saxon, E. Stephens and Viking. 142 pages, 9" x 11", spiral bound.
Volume 1: $30*
(including U.S. shipping; Canada: $ 35*; International: $ 42)
Washington State residents, please add $2.70 for sales tax.
Volume 2: $40*
(including U.S. shipping; Canada: $ 46*; International: $ 53)
Washington State residents, please add $3.60 for sales tax.
Send payment (U.S. currency) to
Bicycle Quarterly
140 Lakeside Ave., Ste. C
Seattle WA 98122, USA
* includes $ 2 discount for check/cash payment
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During its heyday from the 1930s until the 1960s, British cycling had its own, unique flavor. There was little professional racing, but many amateurs or “clubmen” participated in time trials. These riders also used their machines for commuting and even touring, so the British tradition of versatile racing bikes evolved, with quick release fittings for fenders and lights to make a machine “raceworthy” within minutes of arriving at the start line.
This cycling culture is reflected in a compilation of rarely seen catalogs of British lightweight bicycle builders from the 1930s through the 1960s, reproduced by the Veteran-Cycle Club (V-CC). Here we find traditional fixed-gear machines next to bikes with Osgear Super Champion, Simplex and Cyclo derailleurs, as well as Sturmey-Archer hub gears. “Unorthodox frames” like Hetchin’s “curly” rear triangle, Bates’ reverse-raked forks, Baines "Flying Gate," Saxon's "Twin Tube," and the truly unusual Paris Galibier are represented as well, but the majority of the frames shown in the catalogs are conventional.
The catalogues provide an interesting view into the world of British lightweight bicycles. Here we find Claud Butler claiming that his “bi-laminate” ornamental lug overlays increase the rigidity of the frames, as well as Hetchin’s touting the shock absorption of their “vibrant” rear stays, and Bates claiming that “Whip – the power thief – is eliminated in a Bates, every ounce of the rider’s energy is transmuted to drive.” Each catalog represents the style of the manufacturer. Ephgrave’s 1953 catalogue is just a folded leaflet, stating that their reputation “has been achieved by the intrinsic value of the frame itself, and not by costly and continued advertising.” Hetchin’s catalog is sober and professional in extolling the virtues of each model. The graphics of Rensch’s “Paris” catalog are outstanding, matching the showmanship of a builder who knew how to give his machines a “continental” flair.
Each chapter is prefaced by a 1- to 2-page history of the maker written by the V-CC’s “Marque Enthusiasts.” These introductions are invaluable in putting each manufacturer into perspective. Apart from dates, production numbers and other general information, these introductions also discuss serial numbers, which will help to date bikes from that maker.
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