Bicycles

Mount Cycles

Harry Jones, a foreman frame builder at the Star Cycle Company set himself up in business when the company closed in about 1915. He started building cycles at works in Church Street under the name of Mount Cycles.
He later moved to premises in Cleveland Street and built machines and frames to special order for specialised cycle makers. The company stayed in business for many years, and was still trading in
the mid 1940s.

New Tower

Olympic Bicycles

Frank Heynes Parkyn.
Frank Parkyn started producing Olympic bicycles in Green Lane in the early 1880s and moved to Granville Street in 1896. Mr. Parkyn introduced the latest machinery and manufacturing techniques at the works and became a Liberal member of the Town Council for St. George's Ward in 1897. He lived at 10 Rectory Terrace, Wolverhampton.

An advert for the 'Olympic'
No. 1 bicycle which sold for £12.10s.

The 'Olympic' No. 1 had curved semi-hollow front, and hollow back forks, elliptical handle grips with 27" bent back, and hollow, adjustable, and detachable handlebars. The frame was made of 1.75", 15s.w.g. weldless steel tube. Both wheels had mudguards and the machine weighed 43lbs.

The following is a short description from "Bicycles & Tricycles of the Year 1889" by Harry Hewitt Griffin:

The Olympic Diamond Dwarf Safety Roadster. Frank Parkyn, Granville Street, Wolverhampton.
A skeleton frame machine composed of strong tubes. We believe the central stay has been added since we inspected it; if so, it will make an excellent frame. Chain adjustment is made by a sliding carriage, taking the crank axle, on the end of the lower rear forks. The cranks are detachable, and the forks are curved. There is a plunger lever brake to the pilot wheel; and with all the usual etceteras, the list price (both wheels 30in., balls all parts), £15.10s. There are also some lower-priced machines, with single frames.

Onward Bicycles

Onward was one of the many component suppliers to the bicycle industry. The bicycle on this 1886 advert is printed from the same block as was used in the 1886 advert for the 'Wulfruna' Safety No. 4 bicycle, and so may have in fact been made by Wulfruna Cycles.

The photograph on the right was kindly sent by Emma Matthewson and shows her Great Grandfather Samuel Cotterill.

It is believed that this is the Samuel Cotterill who founded 'Onward Bicycles'. He was born on 17th April 1861 at Townwell Fold, Wolverhampton and his Marriage certificate, dated 30th March, 1884 states that his profession is a bicycle maker.

If anyone has any further information about the company please contact me, I will be delighted to hear from you.

The Parkdale Cycle and Machine Tool Company

From an 1897 trade directory:
This firm manufacture the celebrated Parkdale cycles, and their productions hold an eminent position not only in the home markets, but also abroad. The large works are situated in St John's Square; the modern plant and machinery being on the most up-to-date principles, and the productive bowers of the concern are very large. The cycles manufactured by the Parkdale Cycle and Machine Tool Co. are of the highest grade, their make displaying an embodiment of all the latest improvements applied in the best possible manner. Their ladies' machines are of the latest design, and are very popular, being made with a nice dress clearance, which is very acceptable to the rider. Their No.105 is a magnificent mount, and is the result of much time and study given during the recess. The works have been greatly extended to meet increased demands, and the company are now enabled to give the most prompt delivery of orders.

Agents would do well to communicate with this firm, whose goods are of the most reliable order. The Parkdale cycle fittings, saddles, gear cases, valises, etc., all display the same amount of excellent workmanship, best quality material, and elegant design, and bear silent testimony to the thought, care, and practical skill brought to bear in their manufacture. By sheer enterprise and ability this firm has attained their present high position in the cycle world, and are deserving of the highest congratulation on the fact that not only have they been able to hold their own in the go-ahead race for place, but they have made considerable strides, which can only be accomplished by the utmost energy and tact.

Peerless

The following is a short description of a Peerless tricycle from "Bicycles & Tricycles of the Year 1889" by Harry Hewitt Griffin:

The Peerless Direct Steering Roadster. S. Goodby & Son, Petit Street, Wolverhampton.
Those who cannot afford a long price, and are content with a strong-built machine, will find in the Peerless a good and remarkably cheap mount. It is built on what may be described as regulation lines for a direct steerer, with dropped 'V' frame and the very necessary four bearings to the axle. The front forks have a nice curve, and the brake is a direct plunger. The standard size of the wheels is 36in. and 28in., and, except pedals, ball bearings are put to all parts. The price is only £14. There is a capital Juvenile Peerless, for youths or girls in their teens, with 36in. and 18in. wheels, at £5; it is enamelled and part plated, with adjustable parts.

Courtesy of Jim Boulton.

Peter Pan Bicycles

Peter Pan was founded after World War 1 in Stewart Street. It became a well known manufacturer of juvenile bicycles. Sales were good and the company moved into part of the old A.J.S. works at Graiseley Hill. After World War 2 production moved to works in Temple Street and for a time toy cycles and pushchairs were added to the product range. John Whittingham who had been cycle production manager at Sunbeam was the company's managing director. In the late 1940s they moved to works on the corner of Salop Street and St. Marks Road. The company closed in the mid 1950s.

Price Cycles

George Price, a well known lock and safe maker in Cleveland Street produced a range of bicycles. The most expensive model was the 'London'. The cheaper model 'Liverpool' sold for £9.10s.

The following two descriptions are from "Bicycles of the Year 1877" by Harry Hewitt Griffin:

The London (Price's). George Price, Cleveland Larger Works, Wolverhampton. These are of superior construction to the others by the same firm, and have steel rims, red rubber tyres (wired on as well as cemented), steel spokes, gun metal hubs, roller bearings, Sheffield bone, and ditto head, neat lubricators, and well made, but even with this high priced machine, oil can and spanner are charged for, things that are given with the commonest and lowest priced machines made. The system is unique, and not to be admired. It is to be regretted that the maker should have chosen for his machine a name which has already been adopted by a London firm.

The Wolverhampton. George Price, Cleveland Lodge, and Lock Works, Wolverhampton.
A cheaper class than "The London", having an iron backbone, and 'V' rims, gun metal hubs keyed on the axle, bearings (cones) screwed to the fork, red or grey rubber tyres, the spring bows out in front of the fork head, which is either socket or centres, the rear wheel is adjustable, and there are usual details. A remarkable fact is that spanner and oil can are charged extra. A lower class machine, the Liverpool, is made at £2.10s. less.

Raven Cycles

An advert from 1921. Courtesy of Jim Boulton.

Robinson Cycles

In 1877 J. & A. Robinson were building bicycles at their premises in Waterloo Road. The machines were made to order using the 'Robin' and 'Wolverhampton Challenge' names. The cycles had both ball and roller bearings, came complete with tools, a tool bag and oil can, and were well priced at between £8 and £9. A racing machine based on the Grout Tension wheel was also produced.

The following description is from "Bicycles of the Year 1877" by Harry Hewitt Griffin:

The Robin, or Wolverhampton Challenge. J. and A. Robinson, 6, Waterloo Road, Wolverhampton.
These are made of varied types and forms, in fact, "to order." There seems to be no fixed class, the Stanley, Socket, Centres, and all being brought into play as the guiding power; Spider wheels, spokes lock nutted into solid or gun metal hubs, hollow backbone, good tyres. The makers are now fitting either ball or roller bearings without extra cost. The shape of the spring is regulated by the make of steering gear and ends with roller. The trailing wheel runs on cones. All extras, such as trouser guard, brake, satchel to saddle, etc., are given free. The firm also makes a neat looking racer, with better materials and bearings, similar to those on Grout's Tension in the early part of 1875. The bearings are plain, but part is cut away, so that the actual friction is reduced to two edges, running easily.