Antique Bicycles

December 23rd, 2008 | Antique, Antique Bicycles, Collectible

MASSIVE VINTAGE ANTIQUE BICYCLE TRICYCLE TIRE SALE

US $20,000.00

Sale

1887 ANTIQUE HIGH WHEELER BICYCLE Hi Wheel Bike Vintage

US $9,500.00

Sale

Antiques

Antique bicycles, even ones as recent as the 1950s and 1960s, are highly sought out and prized among collectors today. Certain brands and types of bicycles are snapped up and restored by bike aficionados who pay far more for the bicycles than they cost when they were new. Some older bicycles from early bike history can cost hundreds and even thousands of dollars, and while few collectors may get to own one, many go in search of them.

The predecessor to the bicycle was invented by a Baron in 1817 who wanted to be able to get around his royal gardens at a faster pace than walking. Sometimes referred to as the hobby horse, this machine had two wheels lined front to back, much like modern bicycles, though this differs from most antique bicycles because there were no pedals. The frame was wooden, which he straddled, then propelled himself forward by pushing his feet on the ground.

It was almost 50 years later before a new type of bicycle appeared, even though the word bicycle wouldn’t be used yet. The design was similar to the Baron’s walking machine, but pedals were attached directly to the front wheel. This machine was also made of wood (including the tires!) until metal tires were used later. This antique bicycle is known as a velocipede. It was also commonly called a bone-shaker. Picture wooden or metals wheels on cobblestone roads and it’s easy to see where it gets the name.

Then, in 1870, an all metal bicycle was created with solid rubber tires—the first design to be called a bicycle. It was also the smoothest ride of all the different designs because of the rubber tires. Antique bicycles of this type today are quite valuable, and easily recognized by the huge front wheel and the small rear wheel, which gives them the name high-wheel bicycle. The reasoning for the large wheel was simple engineering. A larger wheel would take a person farther with each rotation of the pedals, so people would get the largest tire they could, one that allowed for the entire length of their legs. Wealthy men often owned these, because they were very expensive.

High-wheel tricycles were designed to afford women more modesty. The two back wheels allowed the person to sit lower and behind the large front wheel, rather than on top of it, so women wearing skirts could keep others from seeing up them. These are also popular antique bicycles for collectors.

Chains, suspension and pneumatic tires were the next improvements, and the chains alone allowed the bicycles to go back to the two same-tire-size design. This allowed women to ride the lighter weight metal bicycles and still wear skirts, and men started riding bicycles to work, and they became a hugely popular item. If you want to restore antique bicycles to ride, you’ll need to do some research into the best types to purchase, but for display, almost any kind you like can be found online in places like eBay.

Related Posts

Antique Lighting Antiques -> Decorative Arts -> Lamps Whether you are trying to restore an older home and would like to keep it in the period style, or you just appreciate older light fixtures, antique lighting has much to offer. There are many different styles from Victorian, to Art Deco to Modern......
Antique Dishes Dealers -> Glass -> Plates Collecting antique dishes can be a fun and rewarding hobby, but it’s probably not going to be an easy one! Because of the wide variety of dishes available from so many sources, you’ll probably have to brush up on your knowledge of dishes and dinnerware.......
Antique Collection Some people falsely believe that the passion for accumulating a variety of antique treasures in an antique collection is an addiction, such as being a pack rat, but this is not actually true. The truth about going antiquing is that while it may be infectious, it is certainly not a......
Antique Bird Cages Dealers -> Antiques -> Decorative-Arts Years ago, before the introduction of plastics and resins, even animals’ indoor homes like antique bird cages were considered beautiful pieces of furniture. Of course, some were plain and utilitarian, but many more were actually created in the popular furniture styles of the times. Bird......
Antique Goblet Antiques -> Decorative Arts -> Stemware How do you tell an antique goblet from an antique cup or mug? Goblets are stemware, with the earliest goblets made from earthenware and then expanding to other stronger materials as the years passed. The use of goblets pre-dates the Roman Empire, though the......