Re: [CR]frame sizes in the 1920s

(Example: Production Builders)

Date: Tue, 21 Oct 2003 12:57:48 -0700
From: "David Cowie" <recycle@wmni.net>
To: "classicrendezvous@bikelist.org" <classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
Subject: Re: [CR]frame sizes in the 1920s
References: <20321382.1066765138151.JavaMail.root@wamui01.slb.atl.earthlink.net>
x-mac-creator="4D4F5353"
cc: chasds@mindspring.com

My 1896 Iver Johnson racing tandem has 25" c-c both captain and stroker, either the pair were circus giants(in that era) or the seat post was pretty low. Same thing on my 1898 quad-stay racer.

David Cowie Sutherlin Oregon

chasds@mindspring.com wrote:
> I have to differ with Mr. Coopland, at least based
> on my observation of pictures of the Tour de France
> from the 1920s. It appears that frame size was quite
> varied, but the general trend was taller frames with
> not-much seat-post showing.
>
> I've wondered if sizing and seat-to-pedal distances weren't
> considered somewhat differently then? Could it be that
> at times it was thought that less leg-extension was somehow
> a good thing? Thus, saddles were lower than they would be
> today?
>
> Numerous pictures I've seen of riders in the 20s suggest tall
> frames, short posts, and short stems were the rule... a Gloria
> catalog I have, from about 1940, shows this very clearly, too.
>
> And I'm sure there were always exceptions.
>
> Charles Andrews
> Los Angeles