Model T of antique bikes?

[barneyguey]

I don't know if this 1943 ad qualifies, but this was pretty cheap and bare bones. Barry

 

[piercer_99]

found some photos of the Victor Overman display at the 1893 Chicago World Fair.

cool stuff.

 

[pelletman]

Columbia Model 40 & 41 I think I see the most of in the 1890's bikes, at least in the realm of what I look at. Lots of Crescents and G & J's out there too

 

[fordsnake]

The model T was successful because it was a bargain to buy! Becoming the first affordable automobile to owned. During that same time line and earlier, bicycles were also very expensive...high prices that most people could not afford.

Then in waltzed Sears & Roebuck, they neither owned a manufacturing plant or a retail store, and yet they dominated in bicycle volume and sales. Their mail order house single handedly changed the paradigm of bicycle prices. And for this, they were venomously hated in the bicycle community, viewed as being responsible for ruining the industry with their low pricing.

So, at the turn of the century and decades after, it was Sears that made affordable bikes for everyone!