Sam DiBartolomeo wrote:
>
> I was looking at older bikes and frame for sale at http://www.bikeworksnyc.com and
> there is a frame they state is from the 1930 It is called an Edge Mass Start
> the photos show rear drop outs made for fixed gear or a derailleur with a
> built in hanger for a derailleur it also boasts a brazed on shifter boss. I
> was under the impression braze on mounts for rear derailleurs and shifter
> bosses were much later than the 30s - was this a one of a kind? Thanks for
> any responses - I was hoping this could start some discussions of 1930s
> racing bicycles.
Edge Mass Start Special at:
http://www.bikeworksnyc.com/
This looks very typical of thirties and even forties bikes to me, though a derailleur would not be too common on a race bike in the USA in those years. Simplex had a downtube braze-on boss for the shift lever (only rear as the front derailleur wasn't cable operated) in the late thirties. The BSA (Birmingham Small Arms of England) chainring was very desirable back then and wouldn't be used on only BSA bicycles. In other words, appropriate for any brand of bicycle. Someone on the list should buy this frame and put it back on the road.
(Note about the size: back then typically frames came in three seat tube sizes or sometimes were offered in only _one_; all with the same 22 inch top tube!!! So this frame would actually be an appropriate size for _most_ on this list.)
Chuck Schmidt South Pasadena, California "drizzle (marine layer) on the Rose Bowl Vintage Ride this morning; shorts and long sleeve wool jersey kind of day with ten happy riders just the same" http://www.velo-retro.com (list of reprints and T-shirts)