[CR]Word Game: Fixed Gear Bikes?

(Example: Framebuilders:Tony Beek)

Date: Sat, 30 Mar 2002 11:58:38 -0800
From: "Chuck Schmidt" <chuckschmidt@earthlink.net>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR]Word Game: Fixed Gear Bikes?

Question for all on the list world wide:

Here in America and in England racing was done with fixed gear bikes from the beginning clear up to the 1960s.

Historically, what were fixed gear bikes called in different periods in different countries, say from the 1920s to the 1960s?

In England the term "Path Racer" was in use up through the 1950s (please correct me if I have this wrong). Is a Path Racer a bike that is used for everything from velodrome to grass track to hill climbs and time trials?

In England is a Path Racer the same as a "Road/Track Iron", a term I think, came into use after the 1950s? Is Road/Track Iron the current term in England?

My understanding is that in the US, a bike for velodrome use was always called a "Track Bike," no matter the period. Was a road racing bike before the 1960s assumed to be a fixed gear bike? Was a derailleur equipped racing bike in the minority in the US and in England?

Does the US term Track Bike equate with the English term Path Racer or is a Path Racer a multipurpose machine?

Chuck Schmidt
South Pasadena, Southern California