The racing bicycle is designed for speed and efficicency. The drop handlebars provide the rider with an aerodynamic riding posture. The traditional racing bicycle is made with 531 Reynolds tubing and the components made of light weight alloys.
The parallelogram derailleur was introduced in 1937, the Simplex cable shifting derailleur in 1938, the first modern derailleurm - the Campagnolo Gran Sport - in 1949 andthe Suntour slant-parallelogram rear derailleur in 1964 and the Shimano Index shifting arrived in 1985.
The post war years was a boon time for bicycles. Many commuter bicycles doubled up as time trial and racing machines with a change of wheels. Every town had a wheelers club and meetings of the CTC (Cyclist Touring Club).
EG Bates manufactured frames, taylor made for the rider, in Plaistow, London from 1947. The photograph shows Mr Bates son of EG Bates with the completed touring bicycle I assembled in 1981. EG Bates was a master craftsman.
Built for touring I cycled from East Ham to Dover on it and as a commuter on the North Circular to New Southgate and later to Cambridge railway station, off at the other end to the office in Farringdon
EG Bates - Racing/Touring Bicycle
Contributed by Gerald
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- Location
-
Plaistow, London
- Culture
- Period
-
1981
- Theme
- Size
-
- H:
- 112cm
- W:
- 42cm
- D:
- 172cm
- Colour
- Material
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Comments
For the past two years I have been using a Dawes Galaxy tourer much like the EG Bates design. This kind of transport is fantastic for exercise, holidays, shopping and plain good fun. Plus, you are guaranteed a seat!