In a message dated 4/2/02 2:09:20 PM, chuckschmidt@earthlink.net writes:
<< Road/track iron or road/track bike was a term used mostly post-WWII (though I think it originated in the 30s) to describe a bike with rearward facing track ends which was designed for use on the road as well as the track. >>
Actually, that was Hilary Stone writing, forwarded by Chuck, but anyhow....I had a Hetchins Experto Credo years ago that fit this description perfectly. By all initial appearances a "track" bike with rear opening Agrati ends (er, or dropouts) and round fork blades, but with a drilled and reinforced rear bridge and drilled crown for mounting brakes. I was told that it was built in the early 60's as a fixed gear time trial bike. I get the feeling that in the pre-bike boom US racing scene (50's and 60's), at least in the Northeast, it was common to use a "track" bike for all events. What I mean is that a track bike, modified with a single speed freewheel and brakes, was often used for circuit road events. A friend of mine bought a Frejus from a fellow in his eighties a couple of years ago that was set up like this. The seatstay bridge had not been drilled but instead a "sandwich" of two pieces of aluminum was bolted to the stays and drilled to accept the brake. He told us that many people racing in the old Colt Park series in Hartford used track bikes modified thus. Anyone have any recollections?
Best Regards,
Wes Gadd
Unionville,CT