1903 Quadrant Chainless Roadster
Freewheel with Backpedal Band brake
25″ Frame
28″ Wheels
Brooks saddle
Frame No 54106
(Now sold)
Few Quadrant Chainless machines survive. But because of their novelty and interesting design, the model has become an essential exhibit for the country’s top museums: the Science Museum, Coventry Transport Museum, Hull Street Life Museum and Oxford Bus Museum each have an example on display. I bought this original example recently from a friend. As you can see, the Quadrant is in nice original unrestored cosmetic condition. My friend restored the machine mechanically and has ridden it extensively, so it’s ready to display and ride. These are his photos, and I’ll do a full photoshoot after it arrives in Brighton.
QUADRANT: THE ONLY BRITISH MANUFACTURER OF A CHAINLESS GEAR
Founded in 1883, the Quadrant Cycle Co was renowned for quality of workmanship and was one of the world’s leading manufacturer of tricycles. They introduced many patents for new innovations in both tricycles and bicycles.
Lloyd’s cross roller gear was patented by Walter J Lloyd and William Priest in 1897. Unlike the bevel gear system used in France (Acatene) and America (Colonel Pope of Columbia Cycles bought the French patent), the Lloyd Cross Roller uses spin rollers throughout the drive system.
Though Quadrant promoted the Chainless bicycle in Great Britain, chainless bicycles failed to catch on here. By the turn of the century, normal chain-driven bicycles were built to such a high standard in Britain – they were the best and most expensive in the world – that there was not really any need for a bicycle with an alternative system of propulsion.
Its selling price was pitched just under that of one of the most expensive bicycles, the Centaur Featherweight – 18 guineas as against 19 guineas. I’m sure Quadrant would have liked to make it even more expensive, but I reckon the Featherweight was the benchmark, there being one major difference between the two models – the Featherweight was one of the fastest lightweight machines on the road, while the Quadrant was a novelty, more suitable for city use than speeding down country roads.
For a cycle manufacturer, a shaft-driven bicycle required a major investment not only in its production but also in its marketing, and Quadrant’s experience with the Chainless, as well as their earlier spring frame (patented 1891) and the new Quadrant Motor Bicycle proved to be the company’s downfall: operational expenses spiralled and they went into liquidation in 1907.
Though no other British cycle maker dared to invest in making chainless cycles, two makers sold them: Humber marketed the French Acatene in 1897 as a Humber Chainless, and Rover brought out a Chainless model in 1913 that used the German Durkopp gear, ceasing production a year later when we went to war with Germany. (You can see examples of both on this website).
Below you can see Walter J Lloyd, the inventor of Lloyd’s Cross Roller gear, being driven by William Priest Junior in a 1904 Quadrant Tri-car. They were both directors of Quadrant Cycle Co.
1903 QUADRANT CATALOGUE EXTRACTS
QUADRANT FREE WHEEL AND BACK-PEDALLING BAND BRAKE
