[CR]Mid century recumbents

(Example: Framebuilders:Bernard Carré)

To: CR List <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
From: "Steve Leitgen" <sleitgen@charter.net>
Date: Tue, 3 Jan 2006 10:09:33 -0600
Subject: [CR]Mid century recumbents

Group; At the risk of starting an argument on what is topic and not I have an interesting question. Feel free to flame me off list and save bandwidth if you disagree with me. I think this is on topic under the heading "bikes form 1909 to 1983".

For Christmas I got a copy of "The Noblest Invention". Interesting book from a coffee table aspect. On pg. 100 there is a picture of a short wheelbase recumbent with what looks like mid century components. I'm sure there are experts who can tell the dating of the parts. Anyway, I am well aware of the popular history of recumbents. Came out in 1919 as the "Velocar", won on the track, banned as an unfair advantage, brought back in the mid 70s, blah, blah, blah. No need to go over that. The picture in the book makes it look as if there was some action mid- century when they were supposed to be "forgotten". Does anyone have some recumbent history to add to my education?

Steve leitgen
La Crosse, WI