1902 Golden Sunbeam for Gentlemen (27″ Frame)

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1902 sunbeam hub two speed

1902 Sunbeams were advertised in 23″ 25″ and 27″ frame sizes, and this is the 27″ model. Sunbeam offered a two speed gear as an option for the first time in 1902: ‘The Hub Two-Speed Gear’ – available for an additional £3 3/- (see above) – was not made by Sunbeam.

The company introduced an epicyclic two-speed gear in 1903, but the first hub gear made by Sunbeam themselves was the ‘Villiers Two-Speed Gear’ introduced in 1907. It was manufactured by Villiers, which was Charles Marston’s company.

Sunbeam offered all its customers a repair service at its factory. With the introduction of Sunbeam gears, many customers bought the new models or had their own bicycles updated. There was much discussion in the cycling press regarding the two-speed and three-speed gears, and even Sunbeam were undecided about which was better:

There is a war between cycle experts; they disagree as to whether the three-speed is really an improvement upon the two-speed, and when Doctors differ, who shall decide?

It would seem fair that the decision should be left to the Riders of Sunbeams, on which Bicycles both forms of Speed Gear, of our own design and manufacture, has been introduced.

Those who have already tried a Three-Speed Bicycle should now purchase the Two-Speed Royal Sunbeam, and those who have until now ridden a Two-Speed Royal Sunbeam may be interested in purchasing the new Three-Speed Royal. 

All Sunbeam Riders, who have had a full season’s experience of each form of gear, are invited, at the end of the season of 1907, to send their decision as to which type of Variable Gear they prefer to the Head Offices of John Marston Ltd, at Sunbeamland, Wolverhampton.

 

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This 1902 bicycle was updated and restored by John Marston Ltd in 1908. That was when it received its ‘Villiers Two Speed Gear.’ It was also fitted with a front mudguard extension, as well as a transfer on the seat tube declaring:

RENOVATED BY JOHN MARSTON LTD, SUNBEAMLAND, WOLVERHAMPTON

1902 Sunbeam 63

 

1902 Golden Sunbeam for Gentlemen

with Sunbeam Hub Three-speed Gear

and Sunbeam Back-Pedal Rim Brake

Frame No 55702

27″ Frame

28″ Wheels

Renovated by John Marston Ltd

(Now sold)

1902 Sunbeam 05

1902 SUNBEAM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1902 GOLDEN SUNBEAM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1903 SUNBEAM CATALOGUE

1903 sunbeam two speed gear

 

 TO SEE THE ORIGINAL PATENTS FOR CHARLES MARSTON’S

VILLIERS TWO & THREE SPEED GEARS

PLEASE CLICK HERE

 

 

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1909 SUNBEAM CATALOGUE

1909 two speed hub gear sunbeam

1902_Golden_Sunbeam_70

 

1902 Sunbeam 88