1904 Raleigh X Frame Racer
Split down tube
Sturmey-Archer 3 speed gear #3111
with 1st pattern top tube control lever
24″ Frame
26″ Wheels
Frame No 112652
This Racer features a unique design of Raleigh X frame – it has a split down tube, a style that was only made in 1903 and 1904. There are only two known survivors, the other being a roadster with a chaincase. This example is also fitted with the first model of Sturmey-Archer 3 speed gear.
The steering head transfer has all but disappeared, but the shop transfer is mostly intact: it shows Raleigh’s name at the top, and the shop location of North End, Wirksworth (Derbyshire). The shop was a Raleigh agency at No 20 owned by a member of the Killer family.
KILLER CYCLE SHOP
20 North End, Wirksworth, Derbys
The Killer family had various businesses in Wirksworth over the years, though I’m not sure which of the Killers owned the cycle shop. Over the next few days I’ll check with Wirksworth Heritage Centre and local libraries and update this page after I’ve found more.
1901 RALEIGH CATALOGUE EXTRACTS
1904 STURMEY-ARCHER 3 SPEED GEAR
with
1st PATTERN TOP TUBE CONTROL
This gear trigger mounted on the top tube was superseded in 1905 by a quadrant style control.
1907 RALEIGH CATALOGUE EXTRACTS
THE 1904 STURMEY-ARCHER 3 SPEED GEAR