1935 Triumph Tandem (with TriVelox gears)

1935 Triumph Tandem

Model TDMLTV ‘Ladyback’

TriVelox gears

Frame: 20.5″ front and rear

Wheels: 26 x 1 3/8

TriVelox Gears

Hub brakes

Frame No 212320

(Now sold)

Manufacturers mostly made tandems to special order, as they were expensive machines to produce. According to the 1937 Triumph catalogue, this top-of-the-range tandem sold for £14 19/- 6d whereas a Triumph Lady’s bicycle with TriVelox gears was nearly a third of the price.

This was the heyday for tandems. Few people owned cars (particularly in the north of England), and a tandem was the ideal transportation for a couple to travel to the seaside at the weekend. Though Triumph was one of the World’s leading motorcycle manufacturers, they were no longer one of the major players in the cycle market. However, they had a license to produce the TriVelox gear from the inventor Alec Shuttleworth, and as it is an ideal set up for a tandem, the Triumph Tandem became an exclusive model on the market despite strong competition from the other cycle manufacturers.

Because Triumph did not produce many tandems, there are few still in existence, so this is a rare survivor. It’s in excellent original condition, with its original transfer intact on the steering head. I’ve had the gear serviced, fitted new chains and tyres, and this wonderful 90-year-old state-of-the-art machine is ready to ride.

 

 

 

 

1937 TRIUMPH CATALOGUE EXTRACTS