Bob and Group--- My first bike was a Black Phantom, special ordered with Heavy duty Whizzer spokes, A New Departure 2 speed and a New departure front brake that had the little disks in it like the rear brakes, only a smaller diameter. I, of course, trashed the bike in subsequent years...... :-( Nelson Miller --- seattle
We actually ordered 100 bikes with the TOLKHIEM transmission in 1973
or so, they may have been the only multi speed hub produced other than
the BENDIX 2 speeds I think all my dealers ordered 1 and most still had
them when I left the business in 1980
(any collectibility on this? does anyone have a VOLKSCYCLE with the
TOLKHEIM?)
Though thinking about it maybe I remember NEW DEPARTURE also having a
2 speed hub(as an add on I remember)
So how far have we gotten with our USA GRUPPO? I think we are still
short CALIPER BRAKES, but ND had a cable operated front hub brake based
on their coaster.................almost there........and only 40 or so
pounds!!
I think I will climb on my ordinary(HIGHWHEELER) and go do
some hills now
BOB FREITAS
MILL VALLEY, CA