I am always diffident about offering my opinion as I am only a dabbler, but
I have compared the pages in a 1910 Rudge catalogue for Aero-Special Path
Racer and Aero-Special Speed Iron. The only real differences are brakes and
tyres. The Path Racer has sprint tyres and no brakes while the Speed Iron has
brakes and wired on tyres. In the descriptions, use on track for one and road for
the other is confirmed. A BSA catalogue (in French) of a similar date gives
the option of a coaster rear brake on its own or BSA brakes on the Modele
Course de Route while the Modele Course sur Piste comes without brakes unless
you order them specially.
In all the chit-chat over the months and years over which period is the
most elegant or attractive, has anyone pointed out that for sheer blood
chilling excitement, a speed iron of the 1910 period takes the prize; standing
still they appear to be flying.
Stuart Tallack in West Sussex