Europe exploded into war in August 1914 and the immediate effect of this was to give Raleigh sales a great boost. By September the government had ordered several thousand bicycles from Nottingham and a great many motorists had decided to return to the bicycle, the most economical means of transportation during the crisis. Inevitably the war brought some new problems, such as manpower. The Cycle Trader printed this report in October:
“250 men from the Raleigh Cycle Works have either been called up or volunteered for active service, a result of which shows the patriotic spirit prevailing. The Messrs Bowden, the proprietors of the Raleigh Cycle Co, have always encouraged patriotism amongst their employees. The Company is making the same allowance as the War Office to all the dependents of all employees who have been called up.”
But in spite of losing men, the company responded to the war situation by immediately bringing out some special new models. these included a constable’s bicycle which was fitted with specially strong tyres, was enamelled black all over and made rustproof and sold at £7 10/-. There were also the ‘Scout’ and ‘Military’ models priced at £8 10/- and £6 19/- 6d respectively, both finished in khaki enamel. All these were in great demand and their durability was greatly praised. A member of the 10th Royal Hussars wrote to the company soon after the outbreak of war saying:
“I am at the front and use a Raleigh every day for dispatch riding, sometimes over very long distances. The roads are very much cut up with heavy transport but the Raleigh ‘sticks it’ like a true Briton… I have been over the worst country out here, very often over fields, but my bicycle has never yet dodged its duty.”
Inevitably, bicycle production had to be substantially reduced to cope with munitions work although the total number of employees by the end of 1915 had risen to over 2000. Most of the new workers were women, something of an innovation in the cycle industry. In order to make the bicycle side as efficient as possible it was decided to concentrate on the most popular models and drop the rest from the list.
The war produced scares and rumours of all sorts and one such rumour which was quite widespread in the winter of 1916 was that Raleighs might have to give up bicycle manufacture altogether in 1917. Harold Bowden lost no time in sending out a circular to all agents saying that unless something unforeseen and totally unexpected was to happen, deliveries for 1917 would be just as reliable as they had been in 1916. In fact the bicycle side never even came close to being shut down during the war and to make up for the absence of the annual Cycle Show, which inevitably had to be abandoned for the duration, Raleighs began to put on special displays at their London showrooms to serve the same purpose.
1913 Raleigh All-Steel Superbe Gents X Frame
Model 20
Sturmey-Archer ‘Model A’ 3-speed gear
26″ Frame
28″ Wheels with Aluminium Rims
Frame No 426353
(Now sold)
In the years preceding World War One, the Raleigh All-Steel Superbe Gents X Frame with 3-speed gear was one of the world’s most exclusive bicycles. Priced at 15 guineas, it was cheaper than a Pedersen 3-speed (18 guineas), but more expensive than other top-selling machines from Triumph, Rudge-Whitworth and Humber. By comparison, the Golden Sunbeam 2-speed was also 15 guineas (their 3-speed was a guinea extra). 1913/1914 bicycles from these manufacturers could be considered the last of the quality-built bicycles, as after World War One prices dropped and the cycle market changed dramatically: cycling was no longer the preserve of the aristocracy.
This example is in very good original unrestored cosmetic condition. Only its chaincase transfer remains. Interesting features are the dark green enamel paintwork, brazed-on pump pegs, aluminium wheels and Sturmey-Archer Model A gear. As you can see, all the components are correct for its age, with the exception of the saddle which is later. When I bought it, it had a chrome Raleigh handlebar on it. Luckily I had an original one in stock, which is now fitted. One of the handlebar grips is cracked but could be glued. The machine has been kept in excellent running order by its previous owner and is ready to ride.
ACROSS FRANCE IN WARTIME
Five weeks after war broke out across Europe, the most famous Raleigh X Frame of the time was surely that ridden by W Fitzwater Wray, who “reassured his wife that he was simply going to Brittany, as they had done before, fitted a small silk Union Jack onto the handlebar of his Raleigh Superbe All-Steel 3-Speed X Frame, and set off to ride the hundred miles to Southampton. He was hampered by a gale which blew his flag to half-mast, and the flagpole fouled his pipe as he went over bumps in the road, but he arrived safely and managed to secure passage to St Malo, arriving at the port on the north-west coast of France just a few days after the battle of the Marne had been fought.” He then – amazingly – cycled across France to the front line to report on the situation for ‘Cycling’ magazine! I included a chapter on his exploits in my book on the history of military bicycles.
1913 RALEIGH CATALOGUE EXTRACTS
STURMEY ARCHER ‘MODEL A’ 3-SPEED GEAR
There was a shortage of gears in the later part of the war, as the machinery was turned over to war use. Although the ‘Model K’ was introduced in 1921, ‘Model A’ gears continued to be used for a short time after. As you can see, the nickel on this hub is in excellent condition.
