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1884 Singer ‘British Challenge’ Ordinary (DHF with 53″ wheel)

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c1884 Singer ‘British Challenge’ Ordinary

Double hollow forks, oval backbone

53″ Wheel

Singer Challenge pedals

Frame No 14270 / 53

 

I am advertising this beautiful original Singer ordinary for my friend. I photographed it in his lounge a few days ago. It has an oval backbone and Singer’s patent fluted forks front and rear, and its front wheel is a 53 inch, which is listed in Singer’s specification but is rare to find these days. My friend has ridden it extensively, and it is ready for its new custodian to jump on and ride.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In July 1878, Singer opened showrooms at 21 Holborn Viaduct, reputedly the first cycle showroom sited on what would become the premier shop window in the country for cycles.
At almost the same time, a new machine, the Patent Double Hollow Fork (DHF) Challenge, was introduced. It consisted of, as the name suggests, two hollow tubes on each side which acted as the forks. The two tubes were welded together, and they were claimed
to be both stronger and lighter than an equivalent solid fork machine. It was not originally a Singer development but was in fact used under licence from Hillman, Herbert and Cooper, having first appeared on that company’s own ‘Premier’ cycles.

 

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