1918 Cycling Article - The "Moto-Bike" Why a Ridiculous American Machine is Marketed

[kingfish254]

Found this interesting British article from Cycling Magazine 18th April, 1918 while I was researching my 1918 Harley bike.

I can imagine over the years that many "serious" cyclists have looked down on many of the bikes and trends that we love here at RRB.
It even rings true with some peoples opinions of the Walmart Fat Bikes.

 

[the_undecider]

It's Bike Snob NYC's great-great-great grandfather Wayfarer UK!

Great read! Love this sort of thing.

 

[B607]

Haters! They're everywhere. Even back in 1918. It's no wonder England ended up with nothing but Raleigh skinny tire bikes. Gary

 

[mikeeebikey]

I still want tank bikes but, I still look down at motorized bikes.... Pedal it wimp! Or get off the sidewalk!

 

[Harold_B]

I still want tank bikes but, I still look down at motorized bikes.... Pedal it wimp! Or get off the sidewalk!

I ride a motorized Felt and thoroughly enough the tinkering.
Thanks for posting the article Kingfish. It seems like for every hobby/interest there are purists that look down on everything else. I rode skinny tires for just six months before I heard the term "Fred".

 

[Bicycle808]

Cyclists are a funny lot... seems like 1 in 3 of us hate any bike that isn't his... and he may secretly hate his bikes, too.

I try not to be that way, at least not aloud, but just the sight of a good number of bikes does make my nose crinkle as if someone just farted.

But, yeah, the jokes on Wayfarer UK b/c those bikes brought about the balloon tire, which made mountain bikes possible, which has trickled down to other disciplines as well. So, yeah, while a lot of the artifice was bogus (tanks, useless springers--- bogus, but not without appeal), the geometry and the fat rubber were actual advancements.

I think the lesson we can learn from this is that every cloud has a silver lining. Although I don't have a personal need for fat bikes, I can see how the tires could be useable by cyclists who enjoy snow/sand rides. (Unfortunately, the Walgoose versions don't have sufficient brakes, gearing, or tread for serious snow and/or sand riding, but I digress. At least they're cheap.) But, yeah, most Beasts will be sold as a curiosity or some sort of attempted fashion statement. Ain't a danged thing wrong with that.

 

[Bicycle808]

PS- I think motorized bikes are fascinating. I want to build one, even though I don't particularly want to ride it. The thing is, mikeeee is 100% right: not on the sidewalk, please.

 

[kingfish254]

I bet @slowriderz would get a kick out to the quote about lay back seatposts.

 

[slowriderz]

Name change and marketing strategy to come!
Slowriderz post a la moto bike. Come and gettem.. change that silly pedal bike into a motobike in mere seconds!!! Hahaha

Sent from my SCH-R530U using Tapatalk

 

[socal_jack]

It's a shame that Wayfarer never knew the pleasure of pedaling a 65# bike. Good read Kingfish thanks for posting

 

[Bendix]

what a great article! so many parallels!

 

[Bob Gray]

Cyclists are a funny lot... seems like 1 in 3 of us hate any bike that isn't his... and he may secretly hate his bikes, too.

I try not to be that way, at least not aloud, but just the sight of a good number of bikes does make my nose crinkle as if someone just farted.

The only ones that really make me feel that way are the ones that look like they'd be torture to ride. Pretty much Stingray lowriders and triathlon bikes.

 

[Bicycle808]

The only ones that really make me feel that way are the ones that look like they'd be torture to ride. Pretty much Stingray lowriders and triathlon bikes.

The tragically cliched builds, with almost zero thought put into them, make me cringe. Like when some guy just flips the bars on his cruiser and calls it a "boardtracker," or the only thing he does to his cruiser is put knobbies on it,and he calls it a "klunker". Ugh. I also can't help but wonder if the faux/forced patinated-bike guys buy new jeans and then try to fake it like they're broken in by shredding them or otherwise distressing them. I guess ppl like that just buy the jeans that come new from the store with rips, acid treatments, and "whiskers".

 

[ZygoteLittle]

Monstrosities – freak bicycles – what monstrosities – what freak bicycles are they talking about in that article?

Who would ever think of riding such a thing!

 

[Bob Gray]

808, it sounds like you should've been an early 1900's bike pundit.
Sorry that the core of the bikes that this site caters to are so repugnant to you.

I know what you're saying, but honestly, aren't there a certain number of bikes or bike features out there that just don't appeal to you? Of course you don't say anything because it's someones project and this site is all about modifying bikes, but I'd hate to think that we are expected to like all bikes unconditionally.

I don't think there's anything wrong with disliking a type of bike or bike part so long as you're not putting down an individual or his bike. There should be some room to be critical as long as you're not rude about it.

 

[LukeTheJoker]

Just wanted to weigh in here, if you like a bike that someone is building and like what they have done, post a message and let them know, if you don't like it, there is no need to say anything, usually the lack of comments will get the point across, and if it doesn't, it is still their bike to build how they wish anyway.

Of course if they are asking for suggestions, you could politely say something and perhaps offer an idea about a different way to achieve the look they want.

There is enough negativity and rudeness we all face everyday without having to deal with it in our hobby...

Luke.

 

[the_undecider]

I am somewhat with 808 in terms of the general sentiment towards certain cliche bicycle mods and builds. It reminds me of all the old 70s Japanese motorcycles you see on craigslist with flipped bars and chopped fenders that are passed off as cafe racers. I do think that generalized comments might have the unexpected effect of making people put a little more thought and imagination into their builds if they realize what they were planning wasn't so special. Still, it's their bike and this forum is THE place to post your bikes no matter the level of quality. As long as nobody's bike is being called out individually and we all remain civil (this is the best forum I have been on for folks being quite pleasant to one another), no harm in a bit of naysaying.

 

[The Renaissance Man]

That is an interesting article. I can see how the fake 'moto-bike' would have been resented at the time. Before then, bicycles were taken seriously as transportation or sport and not as a child's gimcrack. Thank goodness for good 'ol American capitalism, or we might not have all of these cool tanks and springers!

BTW, I despise all bikes equally (except my own).

 

[Ldog33]

To each their own. I only have two bikes, a felt and a Ruff and I bet some dispise these bikes and would not ride them. I have heard a few people walk by my bike and say it's rediculous. I too look at some bikes built on this site and think the same. Same goes with cars, etc.. If it floats your boat then who cares, and if you like motorized bikes, then so be it. We are all artists on this site in some way, shape or form.

 

[ZygoteLittle]

BTW, I despise all bikes equally (except my own).

LOL!!!