I've got a Jack Taylor short wheelbase curved tube bike that I've referred to as a path racer. Offlist I asked Michael Butler what his definition of a path racer was after his "list to collect" included the Stuart Purves 50's Number One Road Path. His reply that he OK'd to be posted to the list is this:
"Dan,Of course you can. It will probably cause all sorts of controversy as various peoples understanding and definitions is very different. This would be my definition of the various terminology. Great frames those SWB curved seat tube Taylors and they were popular in hill climbs and time trials."
And his original reply:
"Dear Dan, Path is the old fashioned Victorian/ Edwardian cycling term for track. So a path bike is purely for the track. High bottom bracket no clearances and no drillings for brakes. A Road-Path is a bike with track ends that is dual purpose for both road and track racing, angles not quite as steep and bottom bracket lower than a pure path (track bike). Normally has the front fork crown drilled for a brake. Can also be built with mudguard clearances and mudguard eyes. 27" or sprints can be fitted. Another term for Road-Path is Road-Track. Makers like Selbach and others used to call this type of bike a D.P. prewar. Which stood for dual purpose. Rotrax the maker coined their name by using the word play road/track. This would be my understanding of the various terminology only hope this helps and does not cloud the issue too much. Best wishes Mick."
This certainly clears things a bit for me. All I know for sure is that I'm hooked on them.
Dan Artley
Parkton, Maryland