1899 Imperial Rover Road Racer
25″ Frame
28 x 1 1/4″ Front wheel (diameter 29″)
26 x 1 1/4″ Rear wheel
Hollow rims fitted with Moseley Special tyres
Frame No 15086
Fixed wheel
I’m not sure which is rarer, this 1899 Imperial Rover racing machine, or its set of original tyres: the front tyre is a 28 x 1 1/4″ pneumatic which has a diameter of 29″. The Rover was the most successful path racer of its time, and this led to many sales of its bicycles. The Road Racer was a slightly more sturdy version of the path racer, but both were lightweight.
I purchased this machine from a chap whose father had collected Rover cars and motorcycles. He inherited it after his father passed away. I don’t know if it has any racing history, but it wouldn’t surprise me. It’s an old-time restoration. The paint is scratched in various places and I noticed it peeling at the bottom of the offside front fork. (As it faces inwards, it’s not easy to see). Also the handlebar has been repaired in the past just in front of the offside grip. This is just nit-picking on my part: lightweight racing bicycles from the late 1890s are rarely seen because they were invariably ridden hard so were easily damaged. The overall impression is superb. Apart from a later saddle and replacement grips (both appropriate styles), all the parts are original to this bicycle, including the hollow rims. The nickel is good, it’s excellent mechanically, and it would be ready to ride if the tyres are replaced.
1896 ROVER CATALOGUE EXTRACTS
THE MOSELEY SPECIAL TYRE
THE FRONT TYRE
THE REAR TYRE
ROVER RACERS at the 1908 OLYMPICS
Information and catalogue illustration with thanks to the book ‘A History of Rover Cycles’ published by Pinkerton Press in 1998 and available for purchase.
