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AUSTRALIA'S BICYCLE HISTORY

Formerly known as the CANBERRA BICYCLE MUSEUM & RESOURCE CENTRE

 

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Track Racing Bicycles

 

We moved to new premises in May 2006. Go to the Home page for details of the museum's opening times, information on group visits, entry fees and where to find us.

Track Bicycle (1890)
Manufactured by Massey-Harris Co, Toronto, Canada. The wooden wheels, the 1" pitch block chain, the cutaway seat and the arching handlebars are distinctive features of this bicycle. [#120]
Track Bicycle (1892)
Manufactured by Humber Co. Ltd. in Coventry, England. Distinctive features of this bicycle are: twin chainstays on driveside, seat stay lugs over rear hub axle and eccentric fittings on the pedals to enable adjustment of crank length. The curved top tube is an unusual feature, which would not have enhanced the frame strength. [#95]
Track Bicycle (1896-1898)
Manufactured by Waltham Mfg. Co. of Waltham, Mass., USA. Note the wooden rims, moulded tyres and cutaway racing handlebars. [#220]
Mens Racer (1929)
This Speedwell was purchased from Freebody Cycles at Queanbeyan, NSW by Frank Webb of Canberra who used it for all types of riding - commuting, touring, road racing, and track riding for more than forty years. [#545]
Men’s Racer (1930)
Made by Fred Wolcott in Wentworth Ave, Sydney. Carbine bicycles were high quality and were eagerly sought after by the racing fraternity of NSW and ACT in the 1930's and 1940's. [#404]
Mens Racer (1936)
Built by Bennett & Woods, Sydney and named Speedwell Sports. This bike was sold in Australia by Uralla Shell Service Station who were agents for Bennett & Woods. Note the original white wall tyres which have done 7000 miles. This bicycle was restored by Bruce Lott of Canberra. [#502]
Mens Track Bicycle (1942)
Manufactured by Elliott Bros. of Adelaide, South Australia and called the "Super Elliot". It was top of the line in frame materials and componentry. It was owned and raced by "Rocky" Marshall of Broken Hill in the 1940's and 50's. [#632]
Mens Racer (1946)
Manufactured by Malvern Star Cycles, Malvern, Victoria. Owned and ridden by Ernie Old of Victoria. Used for very long distance tours throughout Australia. The condition is just as it was on his last long ride in 1960, Melbourne to Bendigo and back; when he was 86 years old. [#629]
Track Bicycle (1950's)
Manufactured in Perth, Western Australia under the name "Swansea". The "Five Swans" indentations on the headstem casting identify the frame as a top of the line club racer. This frame was set up for track racing. Features are the glued on singles tyres, a fixed rear cog, lack of brakes and the heavy duty chain ring and chain. Restored by Warren Meade. [#691]
Track Bicycle (1960)                                                        Manufactured by Cinelli, Cino & Co, Milan, Italy, using best quality "Columbus" tubing. Such is the high quality of a Cinelli frame, that from 1960- 1970, the company had a virtual monopoly on track frames. Cinelli frames and components are known for their innovative designs resulting in superior aerodynamics and increased strength. This bicycle was ridden by Morrie Stout in the Austral Wheel race in 1960. [#501]
Child's Racer (1960)
Unknown French manufacturer. This bicycle is an example of a purpose built child's racer for ages 12 to 14 years. The components are of superior quality to the majority of childrens bicycles. [#634]
Mens Track Bike (1969)
Custom built frame by Russell Tollis of Mascot Cycles, Sydney. It has a fixed gear with a 54 tooth front chainring.
[#597]
Paced Racing Cycle (1970's)
Note the two headsets and smaller diameter front wheel. These were to bring the rider closer to the racing machine in front of him. The rider tucked in behind the pacing cycle to reduce wind resistance and was pulled along in the partial vacuum created by the pacer. [#118]

Racing Bicycle (1984)
Manufactured by specialist frame builder John Abeni at Kingsford, Sydney. Unveiled as the "super bike" during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics because of the frame design and disc wheels. [#258]

Mens Racer (1989)
Built by Ernesto Colnago of Milan, Italy. It is a state of the art bicycle and has a superlight carbon fibre frame. It is purpose built for racing. [#398]