What is it?

[Craig Allen]

Here is a pop quiz. This bicycle accessory is 100 plus years old and is 3-3/4" long. Anyone want to hazard a guess as to what it is?

 

[cyclingday]

A trouser cuff.

 

[Craig Allen]

You got it.

 

[SKPC]

Marty, that is a personal accessory, not a bike accessory, but I would still agree with you!

 

[Craig Allen]

From the 1892 Gormully & Jeffery Bicycle catalog. Depending on one's point of view I suppose it can be taken either way. But since it was advertised in a bicycle catalog, ......

 

[cyclingday]

Yeah, but don’t forget, the chain drive bicycle was a fairly new concept at that time, so soiling your trouser cuff was also a new problem that was desperately in need of some solutions.
I’m amazed that it took so long for the chainguard to become commonplace.
I still remember the Bellbottom phase in the 1960s, when all my pants were torn and greasy at the right cuff.
Once Velcro was invented, I never went anywhere without a Velcro strap in my pocket.

 

[slcurts]

Heck I had a pair of these in the early 70s that I used when I rode to class, and I bought them new.

 

[Andrew Gorman]

I just tuck my pants into my sock.

 

[1951 C.W.S]

I just tuck my pants into my sock.

me too or wear knickerbockers like i normally do