Asking for a friend . . .

[Kevin B]

A friend is looking into a Hironelle St Etienne. It is supposed to be anywhere from 1903 to the 20s. Would it have been Skip tooth?

This is the bike. I didn't know bikes that old had rim brakes. Anyone know about hironelle st etienne? I already tried the rrb archives.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Hirondelle St Etienne

Hirondelle were a French manufacturer, extensive line of products, from mild to truly wild.

 

[MattiThundrrr]

Oh my goodness they were weirdos

What is that?!

 

[Wildcat]

Oh my goodness they were weirdosView attachment 261253View attachment 261255
What is that?!View attachment 261254

That looks like one of those that are two speed, pedal forward for one, backward for second I think.

 

[RustySprockets]

Wildcat's right, except pedaling backward was low gear, forward was high. You can see how the top chain line goes to the smaller of the two rear gears. It's essentially two freewheel assemblies mounted to a single hub shell.

 

[Wildcat]

Someone here made a build off bike using that drivetrain. Maybe ten years ago.

 

[Kevin B]

I thought prewar bikes were skip tooth. I guess not all of them.

 

[musclebikemadman]

I thought prewar bikes were skip tooth. I guess not all of them.

Not all, a 1/2 inch pitch was considered an upgrade and was offered on some higher end bikes back in the day. Some manufactures still used 1 inch up until mid '50s