Columbia Manufacturing Inc., the maker of this tricycle, is still in operation in Massachusetts. From their website; "Columbia has been credited with many firsts in the biking industry, since its founding in 1877 by Col. Albert Pope. It pioneered many improvements to the industry, producing bikes, motorbikes, and furniture for nearly 150 years."
Little is known about this model except that it dates from the mid 1880's.
Armstrong Path Racer
Frame " - Frame No.
Wheels Westwood rims. New Eadie coaster brake rear hub
Chainset Armstrong t chainring
Pedals Lyotard
Gears single speed
Stem/Bars Nickel plated bars with John Bull handgrips
Headset
Saddle Brooks
Probably built by Armstrong Cycles Ltd of Birmingham, with some parts manufactured by other notable Birmingham firms, BSA, Brampton and Tube Investments.
This bicycle was built as a Path Racer, the ancestor of modern road racing bikes. Path Racers were a hybrid design that allowed racing on both paths (tracks) and roads, many of which were unpaved - the wide tyres allowed for all road surface conditions. A ‘New Eadie’ coaster brake is fitted to the rear wheel for road use.
While preservation is preferred to restoration, the original condition of this bike was poor enough to warrant some restoration of the metal finishes and replacement of original tyres.
