Single components that are works of art in their own right!

[37ccmflyte]

Spotted this on the net today and though it was a work of art and thought I might start a thread of individual bicycle parts that are works of art in their own right...

Anyone else have single part that really appeals to them??
Regards
Gavin

 

[Wcben]

I find components from the "drillium phase" that were well done to be quite amazing works....it's a different talent but still one that requires a mastery of methods and an "eye".

 

[partsguy]

Man, there is a lot of artistic parts on our bikes.

 

[RustyHornet]

I love rear coaster hubs. I think it's fascinating how they work and love tearing them down and rebuilding. There are some which I consider works of art.

 

[bairdco]

I agree. The Musselman coaster brake, for example, with it's finned shell, is one of, if not thee, best looking hub ever.

And arguably, the best working coaster brake ever.

 

[SirMike1983]

I like the European and British components overall. American components, especially from the 1930s can be very nice looking, but I don't find them as functional as what some of the French and British had.

The French really went over-the-top on metalwork.

Those "zeppelin" headlights are pretty killer, as are the hammered fenders.

The chainguard is even hammered on some of these; pretty cool stuff.

The drivetrain is also built in a classy and clean fashion.

If we're counting frame components too, then the lugwork on a Hetchins is hard to match:

Peugeot had some very nice, very Art Deco lugwork as well:

 

[dfa242]

I love rear coaster hubs. I think it's fascinating how they work and love tearing them down and rebuilding. There are some which I consider works of art.

I agree - I especially like the brake arms on early Corbins.

 

[barracuda]

If you like this kind of stuff, check out the Spoke Sniffer archive. It's a one-hundred page Flicker stream of gorgeous photos devoted to this exact idea: that even a finely crafted lug, derailleur, or bolt can be a work of great beauty.

I must admit to a fondness for wing nuts.

 

[OldSkipTooth]

There are unbelievable items on the Spoke Sniffer Archive, WoW.

 

[kunzog]

I think that BSA wing nut might be for folding handlebars.