1898 Knoll’s Spring Frame Bicycle (with Pierce spring fork)

1898 Knoll’s Spring Frame Bicycle

with Pierce spring fork

28″ Wooden wheels with chain tread tubeless tyres

(Now sold)

Perhaps the strangest thing about this rare bicycle is that despite its name, it is not actually a spring frame! The frame is rigid, there’s no pivot, and it doesn’t flex when ridden. Perhaps that’s why a Pierce spring fork has been added? Nevertheless it is one of the most curious bicycles ever made, and is one of only three surviving examples. US Collector Brant Mackley owns one, and he kindly sent me the documentation printed here.

 

 

 

 

PIERCE SPRING FORK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMPARARISON: 1902 PIERCE CHAINLESS with SPRING FORK