Haynes & Jefferis were James Starley’s employees who took over his company in 1874 when he reverted to making sewing machines. The company’s main products were Starley patent wheels and the first Model of Ariel ordinary with a spoke tension adjustment bar. The ‘Ariel No 2’ was an interim model, with similar double spoking but without the tension adjustment bar on the wheel. Slackening or tightening was now enabled from the screw head at the spoke nipple. The No 2 was introduced in 1876 but was superseded in the same year by The Tangent which was an improved model.
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This example was found by my friend Paul. Only the front end survived, but he knew it to be an Ariel No 2 because of the single remaining original spoke nipple on the hub. As it is believed to be the only surviving example of the Ariel No 2, he set about making the rest of the machine. He had already refabricated the first Ariel model with James Starley’s V section wheel so he was able to use that as a pattern for the No 2. He has done an excellent job. As you can see from my photos, the steering head with handlebar support, the front fork and the front hub are the original items, while the rest has been refabricated in the original design. Though it’s a mix of original rusty front end and a smooth finish on the backbone the two integrate well and it has the appearance of a restored original. However, though the original fork appears solid, its integrity is unknown. So though it should be OK if carefully ridden for short display rides I’m presenting it as a unique display piece rather than a regular rider.
View in the Online Bicycle Museum
BICYCLE COLLECTORS CURATED ONLINE AUCTION, Spring 2026
This Timed Auction is live from 21st of March 2026 @ 2-30pm to 4th of April, 2026. 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, phone call, Facebook Messenger or WhatsApp.
