Who doesn't love old bicycles? The people who built the Schwinn above, who designed the frame behind the handlebars to flare out, resembling ... what? The thorax of some emerald insect? The wing of a bird? What were they thinking? Doesn't matter. The end result is wonderful.
The other day I wandering into University Bicycles, the sprawling cycle shop just off the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, and was first amazed by the jammed mass of bikes of all colors, sizes and descriptions. The vast repair department, the arrays of helmets, gloves and bicycling jerseys.
My attention shifted to University Bicycles museum's worth of antique bicycles hanging from the ceiling. Most were Schwinns, the dominant American bike company for most of the 20th century (and a company, I should point out, founded in Chicago in 1895). There were lesser brands as well, such as a 1888 Hickory with wooden spokes and rims.
I'm sharing the pictures just to say, "Hey, look at this." But they do raise a question: why was design so important on these bikes? Nowadays bikes are all about performance, about simplicity, the lightness of the alloys, their toughness and ruggedness and speed. The streamlined chain guards and fenders are all a thing of the past. Why don't we value them anymore? My guess: because we live in a world where we jettison the superfluous, to save money. We can't afford style.
If you want to see more, there's a rambling video on YouTube that gives a jumpy tour of many more of the older bikes in the store. Or, better, stop by University Bicycles next time you are in Boulder. I asked if they minded if I photographed their bikes, and they said go right ahead. Nice people. I bet they're even nicer if you buy something.
If you're in the market for a bike here, check out Deerfield Cyclery. They are fantastic!
ReplyDeleteIn addition to the expense of the tooling needed to shape it, all that beautiful sheet metal is *heavy.* It's a wonder to behold but I don't want to carry it uphill.
ReplyDeleteA modern road bike has a spare, form-follows-function beauty all its own.
Yes. I really hated having to ride on one of those bikes,as an eight year old girl. There were no lightweight or scaled down bikes then.
ReplyDeleteOne interesting note (perhaps only to me) about Schwinn: it actually started as the Arnold Schwinn company, Arnold being an investor in the young bike inventor Ignaz Schwinn (and my great-grandfather). I've seen records of the time that had my great-grandfather and great-granduncle as the two business guys, and Schwinn as the chief scientist (nice summary at http://re-cycle.com/History/Schwinn/Swn1_Ignaz.aspx).
ReplyDeleteMy daughter is only 9 years old and she doesn't like to ride her cruiser bike.
ReplyDeleteInstead of this she like to ride her brothers bmx bike.