The Carolina Rambler
Finally riding a big boys bike
Hello everyone, I recently made a new acquisition that I am excited about and would like to share with you. This is believed to be a pretty rare machine, and this will be a lengthier post about it to provide good reference material, and to create a dedicated Cycloid Cycle Company Thread. Surprisingly, here of late there have been a number of really reasonable deals for quality TOC bicycles on Ebay, and some of yall may have seen this one available for some time. Any day you can get a complete, intact mens' TOC bicycle for around $600 is a good day. This is believed to be an 1895-96 Cycloid Roadster bicycle, made by the "Cycloid Cycle Company" of Grand Rapids, Michigan. It appears that my purchase of it was the first time that this bicycle has ever left the state of Michigan in its 130 years. The reason I was interested in it is because I have been wanting a truly tall frame 1890s bicycle, and it was during that era that the tallest production diamond frame bicycles were built, and this is among them. Hopefully my legs are just barely long enough to ride it.
The other reason is because it is just so original and complete. Were it not for the broken front wheel, I think it would totally be ridable as is, without doing anything to it. And I am inclined to believe that it is the broken front wheel that may explain its well preserved condition. I speculate that at some point, the original owner must have struck or collided with something, given the lack of a braking outfit on this bicycle, broke the front wheel and bent the fork, and then, not desiring the expense of replacing or repairing it, appears to have been put away in storage ever since.
I have included in this post a number of close up photos for future reference. I have reason to believe that this is genuinely a pretty rare bicycle, it may be the only surviving identified example, and is from a very small and obscure company, so these may be the only reference photos available on the internet of an example of this manufacturer. The serial number appears to be "757", and that's it. The bicycle never had a badge either; instead the Cycloid company applied a decorative gilt water transfer decal, the remains of which are still present, and fortunately held up just enough to allow for the seller to positively identify it. The seller also was able to do some research and found several original advertisements for this bicycle- I do not have any idea how or where he found them though- I cannot find them anywhere for myself. The Cycloid cycle company also appears to have done some manufacturing of small firearms, as there is one example of an air rifle made by their company at the time, online.
You will notice that this machine still retains its original wooden rimmed wheels; I noticed that they appear to have a more defined grain to them than most maple rims I have seen, so I question if they are even maple, but some other type of wood, more expensive or less expensive? Or maybe they are just a grainier maple. Original seat, handlebars, bell, grips and paint. If there were ever any pinstripes, they have all faded and worn away. The chain at a glance appears to be a later roller chain, however upon closer examination, it is indeed the original block chain, and has rounded links instead of the "B" block often used at the time. The three piece crank set is also quite unique, with the crank arm and chain ring struts drop forged in one piece. The height from middle of top tube to middle of bottom bracket spindle is 25 inches.
It is my intention, to indeed make this bicycle fully roadworthy again. It will not be restored, but rather this will be a preservation project. First and foremost, the decal will be very carefully preserved and ideally some restoration work done to it to improve its legibility and integrity. The remaining paint will also be preserved, with some limited touch ups. The 130 year old paint is actively peeling in some areas, so this will need to be addressed and reinforced (although the use of clear enamel coating of an original bicycle is almost never recommended, this may be one of the exceptions and appropriate to eliminate further deterioration). The forks will be realigned and the front wheel will be repaired and rebuilt. The original seat is so well preserved, it will not be used other than for display, and a different restored seat will be used for riding. The cork grips will also be made complete again, and of course the bell will be fixed too.
Finally, there is so limited information about this brand. If you have a Cycloid or any additional information or photos, please share it in this thread. All comments and questions are appreciated, thank you in advance, and for reading!
The other reason is because it is just so original and complete. Were it not for the broken front wheel, I think it would totally be ridable as is, without doing anything to it. And I am inclined to believe that it is the broken front wheel that may explain its well preserved condition. I speculate that at some point, the original owner must have struck or collided with something, given the lack of a braking outfit on this bicycle, broke the front wheel and bent the fork, and then, not desiring the expense of replacing or repairing it, appears to have been put away in storage ever since.
I have included in this post a number of close up photos for future reference. I have reason to believe that this is genuinely a pretty rare bicycle, it may be the only surviving identified example, and is from a very small and obscure company, so these may be the only reference photos available on the internet of an example of this manufacturer. The serial number appears to be "757", and that's it. The bicycle never had a badge either; instead the Cycloid company applied a decorative gilt water transfer decal, the remains of which are still present, and fortunately held up just enough to allow for the seller to positively identify it. The seller also was able to do some research and found several original advertisements for this bicycle- I do not have any idea how or where he found them though- I cannot find them anywhere for myself. The Cycloid cycle company also appears to have done some manufacturing of small firearms, as there is one example of an air rifle made by their company at the time, online.
You will notice that this machine still retains its original wooden rimmed wheels; I noticed that they appear to have a more defined grain to them than most maple rims I have seen, so I question if they are even maple, but some other type of wood, more expensive or less expensive? Or maybe they are just a grainier maple. Original seat, handlebars, bell, grips and paint. If there were ever any pinstripes, they have all faded and worn away. The chain at a glance appears to be a later roller chain, however upon closer examination, it is indeed the original block chain, and has rounded links instead of the "B" block often used at the time. The three piece crank set is also quite unique, with the crank arm and chain ring struts drop forged in one piece. The height from middle of top tube to middle of bottom bracket spindle is 25 inches.
It is my intention, to indeed make this bicycle fully roadworthy again. It will not be restored, but rather this will be a preservation project. First and foremost, the decal will be very carefully preserved and ideally some restoration work done to it to improve its legibility and integrity. The remaining paint will also be preserved, with some limited touch ups. The 130 year old paint is actively peeling in some areas, so this will need to be addressed and reinforced (although the use of clear enamel coating of an original bicycle is almost never recommended, this may be one of the exceptions and appropriate to eliminate further deterioration). The forks will be realigned and the front wheel will be repaired and rebuilt. The original seat is so well preserved, it will not be used other than for display, and a different restored seat will be used for riding. The cork grips will also be made complete again, and of course the bell will be fixed too.
Finally, there is so limited information about this brand. If you have a Cycloid or any additional information or photos, please share it in this thread. All comments and questions are appreciated, thank you in advance, and for reading!
