1911 Royal Rover Roadster (Green enamel, 28" frame)

1911 Royal Rover Roadster (Green enamel, 28″ frame)

1911 Royal Rover Roadster

Green enamel

Tall 28″ Frame

28″ Wheels

Wilby saddle (with new leather top)

(Now sold)

1911 was the first year that Rover used an extended mudguard on its Royal range. But only the Roadster was afforded this luxury; the lady’s model had to wait until 1915 for it.

This is the first time I’ve seen a Rover with green enamel. Though the catalogue only mentions a black frame, obviously a customer could order his new bicycle in any colour he wished. Catalogues were only guides. In the days when ‘the customer was king’ every option of every sort was available – bear in mind that the cycle market was aimed exclusively at the aristocratic class, who often ordered a bicycle on a bespoke basis, just as they would when visiting their gents outfitters in Saville Row.

This rare green tall gentlemen’s Rover is in very good original unrestored condition. The saddle is Wilby’s equivalent of the Brooks B95 mentioned in the catalogue, which benefits from a new leather top. Either its chaincase was not fitted when new, or it has been removed during its lifetime. If you look at the catalogue illustration for the R.I.C model further down the page, you might agree that without the chaincase it looks more like that model. Neverthless, the headbadge says it’s a Royal.

I have noticed that the rear brake linkage is fitted to the left side of the machine, whereas the catalogue illlustration shows it on the right side; it’s the same with several other Rovers of this time that I’ve owned previously. I think the discrepancy is because Rover had various suppliers for their frames, ie they may have bought in frames when demand outsripped supply.

Although Rover celebrated various racing successes in 1910 and 1911, the company was apparently having financial problems because it is on record that they were trying to find a buyer for the cycle department. They approached BSA who turned them down and, in 1912, Rover Cycle Co was purchased by Components Ltd, owners of the Ariel Cycle Co and other concerns.