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.

Fuji Dynamite Comp 24

Fuji Dynamite Comp 24

Fuji Dynamite 24

Fuji Dynamite 24

The Dynamite Comp is really well built. We promise it won’t explode.

The Comp has an adjustable suspension fork, so a rider can hit the trails behind the house and not get too rattled. This version shares the same light-weight aluminum frame with the Dynamite Sport 24, so it’s nice and light (an important feature when you only weigh 70 pounds). Like the Sport you get tough aluminum wheels, Shimano derailleurs, grip shifters, a quick-release adjustable seatpost and a kickstand.

So what’s the difference between the Dynamite Sport and the Comp? Gears. Lots and lots of gear choices. The Dynamite Comp comes with a triple-chainring front crankset like those that you’ll find on adult bikes, along with a front derailleur and shifter. With a total of 21 speeds, young riders can keep up while riding with adults, and they get the gear range they need to handle the biggest hills.
If you have a kid who wants to keep a fast pace as everyone rolls around the Port Gamble trails or while riding in the Grand Forest, the Dynamite Comp is the right bike.

Bikes like the Dynamite Comp typically work for kids in the 8 to 12 year old age range. Fast-growing preteens will be ready for an adult bike at about 5′ tall.
Be sure to bring in any bike that junior has outgrown. We take trade-ins.

By paul|2024-11-07T06:58:36+00:00March 31st, 2024|bmx/kids, Fuji|Comments Off