This Antique Fixed Gear Wood Wheel Shaft Drive Bike was made by Pope Manufacturing in the year 1899 and was known as a Columbia Model 59. Now coming out of the Gay 1890s Bicycle Boom, Pope and a Few other Manufactures were hedging bets on the Chainless or Shaft Drive Bicycle to be the next best innovation to boost sales. Although the Chainless Bike was in production for many years, the many small parts and Chainless issues proved to be far greater hassle than the basic chain, that is still used today. Columbia’s Shaft drive first appeared in 1898 and were Manufactured into the 1920s. New Model numbers were given the bikes every year and they saw many improvements and changes as the years rolled by. The Chainless started very basic and saw improvement like coaster brakes, multi speeds, and suspension in both Ladies and Men’s models.

This Lovely Duo is a 1898 Mens and a 1899 Ladies Iver Johnson Wood Wheel Pneumatic Safety Bicycles. These Wonderfully Preserved Gems are some of Iver’s first self badged Iver Johnson Arms & Cycle Works Bicycles built in Fitchburg Mass. The Iver Quality and Detail on these bicycles is quite exquisite, with jewelry type detail, actually Gun Smith Quality. The bikes are consecutive years yet have different design reflecting changing innovation of the early Iver Johnson Bicycles.

Beautiful Early Iver Johnson Arms & Cycle Works Bicycle built in Fitchburg Massachusetts with one of the First New Departure Coaster Brake Hubs. The first Iver Johnson Bicycles were made for Lovell Diamond and Sold as Iver Johnson Sporting Goods Lovell Diamond Bicycles Boston Mass. This Wonderfully Preserved Gem appears to be one of Iver’s first self badged Iver Johnson Arms & Cycle Works Bicycle built in Fitchburg Mass. in 1898. This Bicycle wore Iver Johnson’s own Badge and was marketed solely as a Iver Johnson Bicycle. This Early Iver Could be considered Safety or Early post Safety Era.

Little is known about the Thistle Bicycle except that the Thistle was manufactured by Fulton Machine Works and had ties to Excelsior Cycle Supply both in Chicago around 1892 to 1900. What is known is that Quite Possibly the most Iconic Early Women’s Racer, Tillie Anderson aka ” The Terrible Swede ” Rode a Thistle Bicycle. Tillie Anderson a Swedish immigrant raced in a brief era where women were allowed to race in Road and Track 6 Day races. Tillie entered 130 races and won all but 7, quite a dominating performance and career. Unfortunately women’s racing was taboo and the “LAW” League of American Wheelman abolished Women’s racing in the early 1900s and Women’s Racing would set back for decades. This Antique Thistle Bike is is Quite an Exquisite Piece of Machinery only trumped by an Tillie Anderson Racing Accomplishments.

This Vintage Racycle Narrow Tread Roadster / Racer Bicycle is one of Racycles earlier offerings and is a Lovely Preserved Gem. The Racycle is the top of the Line Bicycle made by Miami Cycle and Manufacturing, Middletown, Ohio USA. The Racycle Boasts the performance of their unique bottom Bracket. Miami also made Flying Merkel Bicycles. Miami / Racycle bikes are rare and highly sought after and come with superior quality and craftsman ship. From My Research I place this Racycle Roadster Racer as a 1898 Model G.