Quadrant capitalised on Harry Chinn’s record-breaking rides at Crystal Palace in 1900 on their chainless racing machine to promote their shaft-driven models. Note that in their 1901 catalogue, they add a warning underneath the details of the ‘Quadrant Chainless Racer’ –
“If this machine is ridden on the road, whether with racing or roadster tyres, the rider takes all risks.”
That fixed-wheel ‘Racer’ model was sold by special order, with customers sending in their personal requirements; its frame may also have used thinner metal, a common way to reduce the weight of racing machines (and the main reason few racers have survived).
The ‘Road Racer’, however, illustrated below, was sold as a normal road-going bicycle. It had various rider-friendly options such as freewheel and front or rear brakes. (You can compare both racers in the catalogue further down the page).
There was also a handlebar chart to choose a style. The ‘Road Racer’ (below) is shown with ‘Handlebar C, half-drooper, for road racers.’ But the machine featured here has ‘Handlebar D, low-drooper for racers’.
This makes it look more like the Racer, but takes advantage of the freewheel and band brake options (and a more substantial frame) available on the Road Racer.
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.
