My 1951 Rudge:
Rudge Roadster by braveheart1979, on Flickr
Note the fully enclosed chain, the fully enclosed gear system, the oil ports on the hubs/bb, the fully enclosed dynamo lighting system and the sensible width, low pressure tyres for riding on real world road surfaces. A low maintenance and highly practical bicycle suitable for commuting, utility riding and even lightweight touring, suitable for pretty much anything except racing, but how many cyclists actually race?
Unfortunately nobody sells bikes like this in this country nowadays as people are too obsessed with weight and fashion. A bike shop would struggle to sell a bike like my Rudge today due to the obsession with weight and fashion even though it is the most suitable type of bike for the majority of cyclists. It is heavy, but once you get a bike like this moving, it maintains momentum and isn't difficult to ride at all if the gear ratios are chosen correctly.
Rudge Roadster by braveheart1979, on Flickr
Note the fully enclosed chain, the fully enclosed gear system, the oil ports on the hubs/bb, the fully enclosed dynamo lighting system and the sensible width, low pressure tyres for riding on real world road surfaces. A low maintenance and highly practical bicycle suitable for commuting, utility riding and even lightweight touring, suitable for pretty much anything except racing, but how many cyclists actually race?
Unfortunately nobody sells bikes like this in this country nowadays as people are too obsessed with weight and fashion. A bike shop would struggle to sell a bike like my Rudge today due to the obsession with weight and fashion even though it is the most suitable type of bike for the majority of cyclists. It is heavy, but once you get a bike like this moving, it maintains momentum and isn't difficult to ride at all if the gear ratios are chosen correctly.