1902 Benetfink Light Roadster

1902 Benetfink Light Roadster

23″ Frame

28″ Wheels

Bowden rear rim brake

(Now sold)

The brakes on this 1902 Benetfink Light Roadster are typical for an upmarket 1901/1902 bicycle, and state-of-the-art for its day – a Bowden rear plus a pull-up rim brake on the front. This bicycle stopped on a sixpence and for the first time its rider could descend a hill with confidence.

As you can see from the 1903 advertisement below, by 1903 this brake set up had already been superseded by cable operated rim brakes with inverted levers. By 1905, rod brakes with roller levers became the cycle industry standard; because Bowden charged patent fees and their brakes had to be adapted for each rear fork configuration, rod brakes were cheaper to produce and were also easier to maintain.

This Benetfink is a wonderful survivor. There may be more survivors of the marque, but as Benetfink was a cycle trade supplier, they would have borne the transfers (decals) of the retailer. It’s believed that they were one of the companies that supplied Gamages, as we know that Gamages owned shares in Benetfink and took over the company in 1908.

It’s in excellent unrestored original condition. The steering head transfer (decal) is legible, though the one on the down tube is hard to read, as are the various supplier’s labels on the machine. If it is to be used regularly it could do with a general service, but is ready to ride now.

THE BOWDEN BRAKE

BOWDEN’S BRAKE: After Starley’s famous design of the Safety Bicycle, and Dunlop’s marketing (not invention) of the pneumatic tyre, E.M. Bowden Patents Syndicate Ltd was responsible for one of the most important innovations in the history of cycling (and motorcycling) – the first effective rear brake kit. It was introduced soon after the freewheeel hub (1898) made an efficient brake necessary on bicycles and was immediately adopted (or adapted) across the British cycle trade.