LOT 65 1906 RALEIGH X FRAME LADY’S TRICYCLE

1906 Raleigh X frame Ladies Tricycle

Fixed wheel, single speed

22″ Frame

26″ Wheels

Leatheries Patterned saddle

Frame No 170675

X Frames were the latest novelty in the cycle trade at the start of the 1900s, and their patents were fiercely protected by their manufacturers. Over a dozen variations on the X frame theme competed for the customer’s attention at a time when the trade needed a gimmick to help them sell cycles. Raleigh’s X frame was the market leader and the company promoted it extensively. At one time it was the world’s most expensive bicycle.

Tricycles had been very popular in the early years of cycling: between 1881 and 1886 there were more of them built than bicycles. But by the early 1900s cycle makers stopped promoting them. They still made them to order – mostly for women or older gentlemen – but they were less profitable than bicycles. Raleigh was the only company to make an X frame tricycle, and it was only advertised for a few years.

#170675 is one of five Raleigh X frame tricycles known to have survived. The survivors comprise two gents, two ladies and one unknown (there’s a record of someone owning it 30 years ago, but it has not been seen since). This very rare machine has been repainted and is in reasonable all round condition.

View in the Online Bicycle Museum