1906 Raleigh 3-speed X frame Tricycle

The introduction of the Sturmey-Archer 3-speed gear allowed Raleigh to adapt it for use in a tricycle and offer their customers the ultimate pedal-operated machine for elderly riders.

By 1906, Humber were fitting the Cordner 3-speed gear to their tricycles, but the Raleigh was still a good selling point for the company. The gear is an early version of the unmarked X hub which they later sold a licence to BSA to manufacture.

As you can see in the photo below, it has an integral sprocket in the centre of the hub shell to connect the gear to the differential. This trans-axle is a superb example of the engineering skills of the British cycle industry in the early 20th century, from which the motorcycle and automobile evolved.

1906 Raleigh 3-speed X frame Tricycle

Sturmey-Archer gear

26″ Frame

26″ Wheels

Frame No 141121

Band brake

Accessories: Rear carrier rack & bag. Clock.

Brooks ‘B15 Size 2’ saddle

The tricycle was one of several machines I bought from a lady in Lancashire, previously owned by her grandad Leonard Heys who had various cycle shops and businesses in the Liverpool area. He died in 1980 and she said they were stored since. In my opinion they were in storage even before 1980.

We’ve taken it apart and serviced and cleaned it. The handlebar appears to be original. The catalogue illustration shows inverted brake levers, and there is provision for them on the handlebar, though inverted levers had been superseded by 1906. The pull-up brake lever for the rear band brake is an interesting option that I’ve not seen before. The gear trigger says ‘K Pattern’ which would be 1920s, but I now have a correct first pattern gear trigger (thanks to my friend Andrew Heaps).