1909 Lea-Francis Men's Cycle – The Online Bicycle Museum

A Lea-Francis was a ‘dream bicycle’ in its day and, such is its rarity over a century later, it remains so today.

But which quality three-speed gent’s bicycle might you buy in 1909 if money were no object?

A cheap option for a quality bicycle would be a machine built with BSA Fittings. For example, John Piggott Ltd advertised the same in Cycling magazine of June 1908, for 7 guineas.

The Imperial Triumph with three speed was £13 10/-.

A Gentleman’s Elswick Special Cross Truss with Sturmey-Archer three speed was £13 15/- 6d, and the Royal Premier was 14 guineas.

The basic Dursley Pedersen Cantilever was £12 17/- 6d; extras were another 22/- 6d.

Rudge-Whitworth’s most expensive machine (a No 6 Aero-Special de Luxe Featherweight with Sturmey-Archer Tri-Coaster hub brake) was £14 12/-.

The Golden Sunbeam with two-speed epicyclic gears was 15 guineas, and with three speed it was 16 guineas.

The 1907 Lea-Francis Men’s Bicycle with Sturmey-Archer three speed was 16 guineas.

Raleigh’s top of the range Modele Superbe X Frame was £17 10/- with no extra cost if paid in 12 monthly instalments.

The Centaur Featherweight with SA three speed was £18 15/- (the three-speed added £3 to the basic option) and the 1909 Resilient would be 17 guineas.

Prices are approximate because some were taken from previous year’s catalogues and some from year later. Prices fluctuated from year to year, and cash purchases were often cheaper than advertised in the catalogues. But we can see from this comparison that Lea-Francis prices were toward the upper end of the quality market. A Lea-Francis machine was built to such a high standard the company enjoyed almost cult status.

Like their competitors in the top end of the market, their components were made in their own factory in order to guarantee supply and also to prevent unscrupulous companies making cheap copies of their machines. The company proclaimed in its catalogue that their front brake was ‘the most expensive fitted to any bicycle in the world’ and that it was ‘produced literally regardless of cost.’

LEA FRANCIS: SPECIAL FEATURES

The handlebar has the Lea Francis patent concealed roller lever brakes. The rod operated mechanism for the front brake is concealed within the steering tube, and connected to a stirrup to pull up the brake blocks onto the rim. This brake is both elegant and efficient and was much admired at the time.

The Lea Francis patent ‘trip motion’ is a mechanism that the company introduced in 1899, at a time when tall bicycles were mounted from the back, via the rear step. Once applied, it prevented the pedals rolling backwards, so the rider could step firmly onto a pedal and ride off immediately.

1909 Lea-Francis Men’s Cycle

26″ Frame

28″ Wheels

Sturmey-Archer ‘Model A’ 3-Speed Hub

Concealed Roller Lever Brakes

Lea Francis patent ‘Trip Motion’

Frame No 22114

(Now sold)

The Lea Francis featured here is a rare survivor. At the moment it’s in ‘as found’ condition, with deflated 100-year-old tyres, its rear mudguard requiring some fettling and the trip motion missing an essential part. My friend who owns a Lea Francis has promised to use his to replicated the part for me.

Its steering head transfer (decal) has faded away and there is no chaincase. But otherwise it’s in excellent unrestored condition retaining all its unique original parts.

I’ll advertise it like this to start with. But if it has not sold to an enthusiast in the next month who enjoys working on a top quality 116-year-old machine requiring a light renovation, I’ll take it to the workshop and get those jobs done and then update this page.