The Quadrant Tricycle Co was one of the world’s leading manufacturers in the early days of cycling, introducing many innovations in bicycles and tricycles. The ‘Dwarf Safety’ featured here was their basic crossframe model that was developed into various forms of spring frame over the following three years. This example features their famous suspension saddle spring …as well as a sprung steering head and rear brake. You can see these features in the short video below.
1889 Quadrant ‘No 17’ Dwarf Safety Roadster
with Quadrant’s patent Suspension Saddle Spring
Lamplugh & Brown ‘Long Distance’ saddle
Sprung steering head
Lever operated Rear spoon brake
22″ Frame
30″ Front Wheel
26″ Rear Wheel
Solid tyres
The Quadrant suspension saddle support is the most elaborate of any made seat post before or since. It was offered as an option on Quadrants for four years and was a sales success for the company. Other innovations on this crossframe safety bicycle are a rear brake – one of the first – and sprung suspension on the steering head (which appeared on most upmarket safety bicycles in 1889).
This rare safety bicycle was sympathetically conserved many years ago. The pedals are reproduction. It’s in excellent mechanical condition and is ready to ride.
1892 QUADRANT CATALOGUE EXTRACTS
REAR BRAKE
QUADRANT SUSPENSION SADDLE SPRING
LAMPLUGH & BROWN ‘LONG DISTANCE’ SADDLE
ITS ROAD TEST