Harry Nettleton’s 1907 RaCycle Pace Maker

1907 RaCycle

There are a lot of names here so lets see… This is the Pace Maker model RaCycle, and RaCycles were made by the Miami Cycle and Manufacturing company of Middleton, Ohio.

Bikes like this one followed high-wheelers onto the cobbled streets of early 1900’s America.  With newly invented roller chain and pneumatic tires, this would have been a luxuriously smooth ride compared to a Penny-Farthing.

One of the selling points of the Pace Maker was the massive front chainring (equivalent to a modern 84-tooth ring) that was meant to attract attention and suggest higher speed (but the big ring was actually offset by a big back cog that ended up producing a comfortable gear ratio).

The new air-filled tires were mounted (using shellac as glue) to wooden rims (maple, I think).

Head badge

Adjustable handlebar

Oversized drivetrain

Fork pegs

42 skip-tooth chainring

A RaSaddle?

The handlebars on the Pace Maker are really cool.  They pivot at the stem, and can be adjusted in width and height, depending on a rider’s desire.

Foot pegs on the front fork allowed the rider to enjoy speeding downhill on his fixed-gear bike.  Sure, without your feet on the pedals to control the speed there would be no brakes, but brakes are overrated.

Racycle advertisement

Check out the old ad that we found for RaCycle bikes.  The copy in old advertising and press releases like this one was so earnest.   According to the manufacturer, a 1904 Worlds Fair jury “consisting of the ablest consulting and manufacturing engineers in Europe and America, were unanimous in their decision that the Racycle was the most perfectly constructed, easiest running bicycle in the world.”

However they were judged, early “safety” bicycles like this one really brought inexpensive personal transportation to the masses.  They connected people with jobs and schools, connected rural areas of the country with cities, connected extended families (and liberated family members from one another).

This bike was originally owned by Harry Nettleton of Red Wing, Minnesota.  Harry raised the original $16.50 purchase price by collecting clam shells from the Minnesota river and selling them to a local button factory.

By the way, if you take a look at the Iver Johnson Truss-bridge bike from the same era, you’ll note that the RaCycle was about a third of the price of the Iver Johnson.

We’ve moved! Classic Cycle is now at 617 High School Road (behind the McDonald’s, next to Ace hardware). Stop by and see us if you get the chance!

By |2022-09-21T15:03:20+00:00July 20th, 2022|Uncategorized|

Comments Off on We’ve moved! Classic Cycle is now at 617 High School Road (behind the McDonald’s, next to Ace hardware). Stop by and see us if you get the chance!

We have kids bikes in stock now! New and used bikes from Bianchi, Fuji, Marin & Haro for kids 3 to 11 years old!

By |2021-11-19T16:59:16+00:00October 14th, 2020|Uncategorized|

Comments Off on We have kids bikes in stock now! New and used bikes from Bianchi, Fuji, Marin & Haro for kids 3 to 11 years old!

Riding a bike that could be featured in our museum? Come in and take a look at all the new technology. Electronic shifting, hydraulic brakes, carbon fiber, electric motors and suspension can make your ride more fun.

By |2023-06-01T03:22:53+00:00May 18th, 2020|Uncategorized|

Keep cool during our warm summer month(s). We have summer jerseys, short-finger gloves and sunglasses from Tifosi. Lots of different waterbottle and hydration options too!

By |2024-08-03T08:17:20+00:00June 20th, 2018|Uncategorized|

Do a little re-cycling! If you’re buying a new bike, Classic Cycle will consider your old bike for a trade-in. We even give 20% more for bikes originally purchased here.

By |2017-03-20T01:30:26+00:00March 11th, 2017|Uncategorized|

Visiting from Seattle for the day? Shop with us and you can get a credit for the cost of the ferry ticket. Make us your favorite local bike shop, even if you’re from Bellevue, Ballard, or Federal Way.

By |2017-02-28T16:17:23+00:00June 3rd, 2016|Uncategorized|

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