This Junior Roadster has survived since the age of the Great Gatsby. What’s more, the ornate gilt details on the paintwork and its decals (transfers) have survived too. American bicycles built by the ‘quality’ manufacturers such as Columbia used higher standards of paint than average, but nevertheless the odds are stacked against a bicycle being found nine decades later with such details intact.
This example has had modern 27″ tyres fitted to its 28″ wheels; these tyres, with old-time tread pattern, are perfect for display and gentle riding but for hard riding and cornering tubeless tyres would be needed. A practical alternative would be to fit one of my retro metal wheel sets for regular riding and re-fit the original wooden wheelset when exhibiting the bike. The saddle top is worn with age and taped up; it’s usable but should ideally be replaced. Otherwise this is a wonderful original relic of a bygone age, the type of bicycle a local paperboy would favour due to its strong construction, and exactly the model that young teenage boys would be dropping hints about to their parents in the run up to christmas.
The overwhelming majority of American bicycles used a ‘one-size-fits-all’ policy, their frames being 22″ to suit a rider with an inside leg measurement of around 30″. This precluded most female riders, who would have bought dedicated open-framed girl’s bikes. Nevertheless, many women preferred the men’s style of bike …and why not? Look at those flowing lines and racy dropped handlebars. Bicycles like this copied motorcycle design of the day. In the twenties, in particular, many women took on the men at their own game and rode motorcycles. With all the attributes of a full-size bicycle, including 28″ wheels, it’s hard to tell this bicycle has a lower frame. The key is in the ‘camelback’ style of frame whose top tube drops down toward the saddle. This useful kink in the top tube to lower its centre of gravity means this machine is suitable for both a short and tall rider.
View in the Online Bicycle Museum
BICYCLE COLLECTORS CURATED ONLINE AUCTION, CHRISTMAS 2024 – JANUARY 2025
This Timed Auction is live from 20th of December 2024 to 26th of January, 2025. Highest bid wins.
NO BUYERS or SELLERS PREMIUM.
THE RESERVE IS THE START PRICE + BUY-IT-NOW OPTION.
INTERNATIONAL DELIVERY: NO PACKING FEES.
BIDDING INCREMENTS: Up to £1000 = £10. Over £1000 = £50. Over £2000 = £100
IT’S A CURATED AUCTION – Colin is the auctioneer and is available to chat to you personally during the auction (or before) by email, text message, phonecall, Facebook Messenger or Whatsapp.
