Bike Numbers during the Depression

[1918 Ranger]

Guys
Wanted your thoughts on what happened to the bicycle world during the first 3-4 years of the depression. Say 1929 - 1933. How drastically was the market affected? What kind of population is still alive today?

Seems like there are a lot of latter 30s still alive from 1935 - 1940. Or atleast that may be because my interest is 1933 plus (balloon tire models), and pre 1933 are off my radar.

Anyway. Just curious what exactly happened in early depression times???

Thanks


1918 Ranger

 

[Sphinx]

Here's what little I've found so far:


http://www.economicexpert.com/a/Schwinn ... ompany.htm

2 Surviving the Great Depression

At the close of the 1920s, the stock market crash and resulting economic downturn decimated the American motorcycle industry, taking Excelsior-Henderson with it. Deprived of this income, Schwinn,Arnold Co. as it remained in name until 1936, was on the verge of bankruptcy. Ignaz' son Frank W. Schwinn, now running the company, did his father proud and selected a bold course. Instead of trying to cut corners, he insisted on turning out a product that would distance Schwinn from its competitors. After travelling to Europe to get ideas, the hard-driving "F.W." returned to Chicago and in 1933 introduced the Schwinn Aerocycle, the biggest change in bicycles since James Starley introduced the revolutionary diamond frame some fifty years earlier. F.W. had persuaded American Rubber Co. to throw out the mold and make two-inch diameter balloon tires to yield a more comfortable ride. He added streamlined fenders, an ersatz fuel tank on the frame's top, a chrome-plated headlight, and a push-button bell, and the customers ... mostly children ... who could afford a $35 bicycle loved it.

Similar models followed, some high end and some more affordable, but all turned-out with top craftsmanship and with cutting-edge styling suggestive of the flamboyant automobile styles of the era. The Schwinn brand became associated with quality a cut above the competition, and by the 1950s was established as the Cadillac of American bicycles.

 

[Sphinx]

You are here: Home | Bicycle Brands | Huffy Bicycles

Huffy Bicycles - An Old American Bicycle Company




If you're looking to buy an old huffy, your best bet is to search for a vintage Huffy on eBay.

While we don't recommend buying a new Huffy bicycle for any serious cycling adventures, you may still want to consider a Huffy when buying a cheap children's bike online because your kids might not need anything more sophisticated than that.

Read on for more about the History of Huffy bicycles.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Evolution Of the Huffy Bike Products






1936 - Huffman Dayton Streamliner

This early Huffy Bicycle had a streamline construction and balloon tires.



1949 - Huffy Convertible Bike

A children's bicycle with rear training wheels and foot steps.



1955 - The Radio Bicycle

Featured a radio built into the tank, with the antenna and battery pack on the rear carrier.



1969 - The Dragster

A bike with 20 inch wheels, a "banana" seat, and high-rise handlebars.



1973 - The Scout

A 10-speed, lightweight bicycle with a narrow racing saddle, dropped-style handlebars, and an American West color scheme.



1975 - The Monoshock

A bmx style bike with a single shock absorber.



1977 - The Thunder Trail and Silver Thunder

A motocross-style bike designed to look like a motorcycle with waffle handle-grips, knobby tires, and racing-like number plates on the front.



1987 - The Sigma

A 20" bike that offered hand brakes and disk wheel covers.



1991 - The Stone Mountain

An 18-speed mountain bicycle featuring 26" knobby tires and dynamic color finish.



1994 - The Blade Bike

The beginning of the generic all terrain bicycle (ATB) known for their low price and mass production quality.



1997 - The Huffy BMX

A mass produced quality product in the bmx style.



2000 - The Micro Scooter

A copy of many of the increasingly popular scooters on the market.



2003 - The Green Machine

A Children's recumbent tricycle with articulated rear steering, modified from a 1970's design by Marx toys.



The Huffman Manufacturing Company

Horace Huffman Snr - founder of Huffy Bicycles - learnt the art of manufacturing at his father's knees. His father was George P. Huffman, owner of the Davis Sewing Machine Company (1882 - 1925), and the producer of the first Davis Sewing Machine bicycle and renowned Dayton Special Roadster.

In 1924, feeling confident, he set out to establish his own company called the Huffman Manufacturing Company.


http://www.bicycle-and-bikes.com/huffy-bicycles.html


At first Horace manufactured products for service stations and steel bicycle rims, but sensing an opportunity during the Depression in 1934, he switched to making bicycles.

Huffmans started out producing about 12 bicycles per day but as the Depression worsened and more people turned to cycling for their transportation needs that figure rose to nearly 200 a day.

The Firestone Tire and Rubber Company was their primary client however in 1938 Huffmans lost the majority of that account because they were unable to keep up with Firestone's demands. Competition was stiff and Huffmans was struggling.

 

[Sphinx]

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index ... 348AAeJclj

 

[pick]

Very interesting thread! Can't wait to learn more! 8)

 

[1918 Ranger]

RatSphynx


Thanks for the info. It looks like Schwinn bought a lot of failing bike manufacturers out. Also learned that bike sales went up some due to the oil crisis and cars and bikes being an alternate to cars. So maybe things washed out. Still wondering how bad things were for bike sales the first half of the depression.

Thanks


1918 Ranger

 

[Terry66]

My feeling is that new bike sales probably declined even though it was a cheaper form of transportation. I'm guessing existing bikes were used more.

I've taken an interest in pre-30s bikes since I got my late 20s Elgin. I'm looking for a complete with nice patina!

 

[Rustinkerer]

The fella I got the '35 Hawthorne from last fall is 85, and told me a story about those days. Unemployment was over 20%, MUCH worse than the last recession. As a kid, he'd find a bike part here or there, and eventually had enough to build a bike. Said his brother wrecked it though! Also, people would go door to door, and ask for food. Usually, folks would make them a sandwich if they had enough to spare, and they'd sit right on the porch and eat it, then roll on. I'm thankful things haven't become that bad now, though it's been a very poor year for my family. -Adam