1950 Huffman Dayton Dial-Your-Ride
(Now sold)
In America in the early fifties, streamlined automobiles ruled the road and streamlined refrigerators ruled the kitchen. Early in the morning, the boy with the streamlined bicycle ruled the paper round.
The Huffman Dial-Your-Ride not only had aerodynamic looks, but also sported a front fork that was bigger than any other on the road. In fact, I don’t think any other bicycle, before or since, anywhere in the world, has featured a front fork this large.
In an era when American bicycle designers were becoming increasingly adventurous with their front forks – a selling point that could make or break a bicycle – Huffman designers hit upon an ingenious reason for creating the largest fork ever. You could turn the dial on the top of the fork to vary the front suspension, with a choice of four different settings. In other words, you could DIAL YOUR RIDE.
Whether it made much difference to the quality of your ride was beside the point. The point was that every other kid would want to dial YOUR ride.
As you can see from the photos, this oversized monstrosity could do with a bit of tender loving care. The paint is peeling on the chaincase, the saddle needs a new top and the front lamp glass is missing. It is in original unrestored condition with faded paint. I fitted new tyres after I bought it in 2010 and they are still in good condition. I sold it a few years later and took it back in part-exchange recently. It’s in good riding condition, though it could do with a service if you want to ride it any distance. Whether you repaint it to make it sparkle, or prefer your bicycles ‘in their juice’ this Dial-Your-Ride is the ideal accessory for any fan of the fifties.
DIAL-YOUR-RIDE
…to always glide!
An Exclusive Feature on Dayton Bicycles:
Here’s the newest development of the spring fork – Dial-Your-Ride. By a simple twist of the wrist, you can adjust the tension for light or heavy riding, or for smooth or bumpy roads.
Dial-Your-Ride can be set instantly to give greater riding comfort for any size or weight rider and under every road condition.
Made of extra-flex alloy-steel springs like those on fine automobiles.
Wears well; looks sharp.
Adds to the life of the bike by better absorbing of road shocks and vibration under all conditions.
Heavy Rider? Dial-Your-Ride!
Tighten spring for less road shock
Riding light? Dial-Your-Ride!
Loosen spring and glide without vibration.
Smooth roads? Dial-Your-Ride!
Adjust spring for more speed, more comfort.
Hitting bumps? Dial-Your-Ride!
Set spring for a looser, shock-absorbing, gliding ride.
