1920s Trussbridge Road Racer (Labor Patent)

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1920s Trussbridge Road Racer (Labor Patent)

23″ Frame

28″ Wheels

Fixed + Freewheel (flip-flop hub)

 

Iver Johnson introduced the distinctive Truss Bridge frame in America in 1901. World champion racing cyclist Major Taylor rode Iver Johnson bicycles. When he raced in France in the early 1900s, he used an Iver Johnson Truss Bridge, and the style caught on there. Labor became the French license holder for this design, and various French companies made their own versions until the late 1920s.

This lovely road racer does not have a Labor badge, so it’s presumably a copy made under license. I suggest that it’s not an unlicensed copy because it is very well made so was more than likely an expensive machine when it was new. You can clearly see its faded nickel bodywork.

This fabulous 100-year-old French trussbridge road racer is ready to ride.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Patent number: D35391
Filing date: Oct 28, 1901
Issue date: Dec 3, 1901
The Truss Bridge patent was awarded to Frederic Iver Johnson on 3rd December, 1901.
According to the patent application (below), Frederic Johnson is declared as its inventor.