Design and variants Roadster (bicycle)

1 design , variants

1.1 roadster

1.1.1 gents roadster
1.1.2 ladies model , omafiets


1.2 sports roadster
1.3 club sports

design , variants

there 3 basic variants of roadster.

roadster
gents roadster

contemporary gents roadster

the classic gents roadster, aka english roadster, has lugged brazed steel diamond frame, rod-actuated brakes , of late, cable operated drum brake systems have been produced european market, upright north road handlebars, single gear ratio or 3 or 5 speed hub gears, chaincase, steel mudguards, steel cranks, 28 x 1½ inch (iso 635) wheels, westwood rims, , sturmey-archer hub dynamo. roadsters built durability above else , no serious attempt made save weight in design or construction, roadsters weigh upwards of 40-45 pounds (18–20 kg). mounts of policemen , rural letter carriers. interestingly, derivative of roadster, ladies model, seldom called roadster.

the roadster similar in design , intended use european city bike, model still used in germany, denmark , notably in netherlands (see below). primary differences continental bicycles tend have higher handlebar position more upright riding posture, , more have rod-actuated drum brakes.

ladies model , omafiets

the dutch omafiets ladies roadster of classic design

the ladies version of roadster s design in place 1890s. had step-through frame rather diamond frame of gentlemen s model ladies, dresses , skirts, mount , ride bicycles, , commonly came skirt guard prevent skirts , dresses becoming entangled in rear wheel , spokes. gents roadster, frame of steel construction , positioning of frame , handlebars gave rider upright riding position. though came front spoon-brakes, technological advancements meant later models equipped much-improved coaster brakes or rod-actuated rim or drum-brakes.

though ladies version of roadster largely fell out of fashion in england , many other western nations 20th century progressed, remains popular in netherlands; why people refer bicycles of design dutch bikes. in dutch name of these bicycles omafiets ( grandma s bike ) though in frisia call them widdofyts (west frisian widow s bike ). classic omafiets still in production in netherlands , has changed little since 1911: comes single-speed gear, 28 x 1½ (iso 635) wheels, black painted frame , mudguards (with white-blazoning @ of rear one), , rear skirt guard. modern variants, painted in other colours, aluminium frames, drum-brakes or multiple gear ratios in hub gearing system, conform same basic , dimensions classic omafiets. (the dutch gentlemen s equivalent called opafiets (dutch grandpa s bike ) or stadsfiets ( city bike ) , has same characteristics diamond or gents frame, thereby same gentleman s english roadster.)

sports roadster

three-speed 1971 raleigh superbe sports roadster 26-inch tires , dynohub

a variation on type of bicycle sports roadster (also known light roadster ), typically has lighter frame, , steeper seat-tube , head-tube angle of 70° 72° degrees, fitted cable brakes, comfortable flat north road handlebars, mudguards and, not, three, 4 or five-speed internal hub gears. sports or light roadsters fitted 26 x 1⅜ inch (iso 590) traditional english size wheels endrick rims, hence lower bottom bracket , correspondingly lower stand-over height , weighing around 35-40 pounds (16 – 18 kg). these bikes wrongly called english racer in united states.

club sports

club sports, or semi-racer, bicycles high-performance machines of time , place, named style of bicycle popular members of many active cycling clubs. club bicycle typically have reynolds 531 frame tubing, narrow, unsprung leather saddle, inverted north road handlebars (or drop bars), steel rat trap pedals toe clips, 5-15 speed derailleur gearing, alloy rims , light high-pressure 26 x 1¼ (iso 597) or 27 x 1¼ (iso 630) tires. club bicycles have more exotic sturmey-archer hub, perhaps, medium- or close-ratio model, 3 or 4 speed, few being equipped rare asc 3-speed fixed-gear hub. many club bicycles single-speed machines, reversible hub: single-speed freewheel on 1 side, fixed-gear on other. derailers began used on type of bicycle starting in 40s. although intended fast group rides, club bicycles commonly used touring time-trialing.