1890 Gormully & Jeffrey Light Rambler rear-suspension hard-tire safety

Object/Artifact

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Marin Museum of Bicycling

Front wheel diameter? Suspension travel?: With hard tires and the harsh ride of short spokes, the Rambler's rear swing arm and dual torsion springs smoothed the ride, as did the long saddle with springs at both ends. Unequal wheel size: G & J claimed that with 4/5ths of the weight on the rear wheel the front wheel could be lightened. The rear wheel is 30 inches, while the front is 26 inches. The 3/4" antimony-vulcanized Para rubber tires were moulded without a joint.
Front wheel diameter? Suspension travel?

With hard tires and the harsh ride of short spokes, the Rambler's rear swing arm and dual torsion springs smoothed the ride, as did the long saddle with springs at both ends. Unequal wheel size: G & J claimed that with 4/5ths of the weight on the rear wheel the front wheel could be lightened. The rear wheel is 30 inches, while the front is 26 inches. The 3/4" antimony-vulcanized Para rubber tires were moulded without a joint.

Name/Title

1890 Gormully & Jeffrey Light Rambler rear-suspension hard-tire safety

Description

Billed as the American Rambler. Gormully & Jeffery (Chicago) was the progenitor of two car companies, American Motors and Rambler cars. This is the Light Rambler model, one up from the plain Rambler at $125. In 1890 the Light Rambler sold for $135 ($4000 in 2000). The new safety bike was attracting women riders, and makers offered unisex models such as this one. Its top bar can be unfastened and removed to allow room for skirts or dresses. This bike has a rear suspension system: The rear frame pivots co-axial with the crank spindle. Two torsion springs repel road force, but there is no damping. Wheels are 30 x 26 inches in diameter and the stock tire cross-section was 3/4 inches. Standard gearing (as on this example): 54 inches (18-tooth chainring ÷ 10-tooth rear cog x 30-inch driving wheel diameter). Stock weight complete: 50 lbs. Color: Jet black with bright nickel parts.

Collection

Igler Collection: 19th century cycles collected by Ralph Igler and loaned to Marin Museum of Bicycling by his son David Igler

Acquisition

Accession

L-2014.08.12-DI

Made/Created

Date made

1890

Dimensions

Weight

58 lb

Relationships

Related Person or Organization

Person or Organization

Rambler

Web Links and URLs

https://ramblercycles.wordpress.com/gormully-jeffery-rambler-cycles/