The 1938 California Cycle Company Inc. catalog that I reprinted shows a large amount of English frame building supplies (tubes, stays, forks, lugs, fork ends, even some tandem sets) and derailleurs. Despite the name, the company was located on Long Island in New York state.
I believe the 1932 Olympics (Los Angeles) was a road race. The course was criticised for being too easy... flat run down the coast to Santa Monica. I have read that the 1936 Olympics (Berlin) was a time trial, but have seen movies of the event, and it too was a road race. A lot of things I have read in print don't match the reality... Anyone else have info?
Chuck Schmidt South Pasadena, California http://www.velo-retro.com (list of reprints and T-shirts)
David Perry wrote:
>
> Thanks to "wornoutguy" Sam for asking about that Edge Massed Start Special
> frameset on my shop's site. And for comments from Chuck and Hilary.
>
> I estimated its origin from the 1930s (the later part of decade) because of
> the Osgear dropout introduced around 1933 I believe. Is Hilary saying it's
> not an Osgear but a Simplex? Or that it's an Osgear but looks like Simplex?
> It has a single braze-on shifter mount. It did not come with a derailleur
> and we are not sure if the wheels for it are still around.
>
> The frame came in lot of bikes from the old Hill Cycle Shop in
> Philadelphia. They had a racing team for many years and the bikes and parts
> range in date from pre-WW2 to the late 1960s. They must have had a frame
> builder around because there are a couple HCS-labeled frames that were
> never assembled. Also, a old Paramount track frame in the collection has a
> seat stay repair with a Hill Cycle Shop stamp on it.
>
> I assumed it is an American frame, because I believe American road racing
> in the late 30s was called massed start racing (the 1932 Olympic RR was a
> time trial), and because British racing frames may not have had makers
> decals. I sure wish someone like Peter Nye (or six-day Jeff?) who knows
> more about pre-war US racing could answer some questions.
>
> Thanks
> David Perry
> http://www.bikecult.com