1882 Starley & Sutton ‘Meteor’ Rear-steering Tricycle (Reproduction)

1882 Starley & Sutton ‘Meteor’ Rear-steering Tricycle (Reproduction)

42″ Front wheels

17″ Rear wheel

LENGTH: 74″

WIDTH: 44″

HEIGHT: 42″

(Now sold)

Tricycles like this were known variously as open tricycles, Cheylesmore tricycles, hayfork tricycles (because of the shape of the body), or rear-steers. As well as being built by the leading manufacturers such as Starley & Sutton (Rover), Hillman Herbert & Cooper (Premier), Triumph and Rudge, the design was copied by dozens of other makers.

They were considered particularly suitable for ladies as a female rider could get on and off and also pedal while retaining her modesty. Some of them had a single chain while others were ‘double drivers’ and ‘sociable’ versions were also built so that the riders could sit side by side. Some companies sold conversion kits where the wheel would be removed on one side, an extra chassis fitted and then the wheel replaced onto the outer axle.

This example is a superb reproduction built by master craftsman Paul Knight. As you can see in my video, it’s ideal for riding and can be ridden at a decent speed. It’s a rear-steerer, and the handle on the right of the rider controls the tiller to turn the rear wheel. The lever on the left is the brake, which acts on both front wheels.

 

 

YOUTUBE VIDEO: RIDING THE METEOR TRICYCLE