Bickerton Classic folder
#1
Richard C
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Bickerton Classic folder
I've recently acquired an original Bickerton and am engaged in restoring it, maybe even making it rideable (lol). It's not in bad condition for its age, but it does need a fair bit of work.
The one thing I'd like to do is replace the horrible headset/stem arrangement, probably the bars too. Does anyone have any advice, specifically on replacing the headset?
All help much appreciated.
The one thing I'd like to do is replace the horrible headset/stem arrangement, probably the bars too. Does anyone have any advice, specifically on replacing the headset?
All help much appreciated.
#2
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Sorry, no advice from me as I've never owned a Bickerton but I've always found them extremely interesting. When it's possible, could you please post a couple of photos; I'd love to see your Bickerton.
I must say that I think a change of the stem and the headset would be an improvement.
I must say that I think a change of the stem and the headset would be an improvement.
#3
verktyg
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Bickerton Folder
I've recently acquired an original Bickerton and am engaged in restoring it, maybe even making it rideable (lol). It's not in bad condition for its age, but it does need a fair bit of work.
The one thing I'd like to do is replace the horrible headset/stem arrangement, probably the bars too. Does anyone have any advice, specifically on replacing the headset? All help much appreciated.
The one thing I'd like to do is replace the horrible headset/stem arrangement, probably the bars too. Does anyone have any advice, specifically on replacing the headset? All help much appreciated.
They were very light but extremely torsionally flexible. The long seatpost and bars were almost scary. For some reason I think that these had plastic headsets. Replacing the bars and headset is going to take some creative work.
verktyg
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Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
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Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
#4
Richard C
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#5
Richard C
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QUOTE=Gary Fountain;20660874]Sorry, no advice from me as I've never owned a Bickerton but I've always found them extremely interesting. When it's possible, could you please post a couple of photos; I'd love to see your Bickerton.
I must say that I think a change of the stem and the headset would be an improvement.[/QUOTE]
Thanks, Gary: I wanted to add a couple of photos but I haven't posted enough here to do that. I'll put up the photos when I have.
I must say that I think a change of the stem and the headset would be an improvement.[/QUOTE]
Thanks, Gary: I wanted to add a couple of photos but I haven't posted enough here to do that. I'll put up the photos when I have.
#7
Richard C
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QUOTE=Gary Fountain;20660874]Sorry, no advice from me as I've never owned a Bickerton but I've always found them extremely interesting. When it's possible, could you please post a couple of photos; I'd love to see your Bickerton.
I must say that I think a change of the stem and the headset would be an improvement.[/QUOTE]
Thanks, Gary: I've now fulfilled my debt to society and am adding here a couple of photos of the bike as bought (except for a rather cursory attempt at cleaning it, and the addition of a prop stand).
I must say that I think a change of the stem and the headset would be an improvement.[/QUOTE]
Thanks, Gary: I've now fulfilled my debt to society and am adding here a couple of photos of the bike as bought (except for a rather cursory attempt at cleaning it, and the addition of a prop stand).
#8
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I own both models of the Bickerton that were made because I collect folders. Having said the they are the 2 worst bicycles that I own. Everything is flimsey and as you pedal the frame flexs so much it is hard to ride in the direction you want. If you are collector fine but they are not a bike I would care to ride daily. I will see if I can find some pictures of mine. Roger
#9
Richard C
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I own both models of the Bickerton that were made because I collect folders. Having said the they are the 2 worst bicycles that I own. Everything is flimsey and as you pedal the frame flexs so much it is hard to ride in the direction you want. If you are collector fine but they are not a bike I would care to ride daily. I will see if I can find some pictures of mine. Roger
#10
verktyg
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Over the years most bicycles have been "over engineered" in the sense they are "machines" that can easily support more than 10 times their weight!
Bickerton bikes were DEFINITELY under engineered!
Aside from my friend who owned our shop, the rest of the guys or at least I thought that Bickerton bikes were designed for light weight women, sort of like a faddy accessory to their wardrobe....
I think that they came with a carrying bag like a big purse. The idea was you could take it anywhere (as long as you didn't plan on riding it much).
I wouldn't recommend them for anyone weighing over 9 stone (125 Lbs.). My friend never rode the bike much after he returned from Europe... Come to think of it, he may have even left it there??? Anyway he made an under his breath comment about it's flexibility.
verktyg
Bickerton bikes were DEFINITELY under engineered!
Aside from my friend who owned our shop, the rest of the guys or at least I thought that Bickerton bikes were designed for light weight women, sort of like a faddy accessory to their wardrobe....
I think that they came with a carrying bag like a big purse. The idea was you could take it anywhere (as long as you didn't plan on riding it much).
I wouldn't recommend them for anyone weighing over 9 stone (125 Lbs.). My friend never rode the bike much after he returned from Europe... Come to think of it, he may have even left it there??? Anyway he made an under his breath comment about it's flexibility.
verktyg
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Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
Last edited by verktyg; 11-16-18 at 10:24 AM.
#11
aka Tom Reingold
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The Brompton is what the Bickerton should have been.
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#12
verktyg
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Plastic Headsets
Tom,
The 2-3 Bikerston bikes that we sold had white plastic headsets. That made them even less stable and rigid.
See pictures in post # 3 above.
verktyg
The 2-3 Bikerston bikes that we sold had white plastic headsets. That made them even less stable and rigid.
See pictures in post # 3 above.
verktyg
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Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
Don't believe everything you think! History is written by those who weren't there....
Chas. ;-)
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Here is a photo of my Bickerton. I haven't ridden it in many years, but as I recall, it was very flexible and scary! Note the reinforcement bar in the photo, that, at some point, Bickerton was forced to add before the US would allow them to be imported. I don't think it would be very easy, or practical to replace the handle bars. I guess you could replace the head set but, I always understood that the bearing less plastic headset was used to add a little resistance to the steering, to make them a little less squirrely,
Last edited by donc49@hotmail.; 11-17-18 at 10:36 AM.
#14
Richard C
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Here is a photo of my Bickerton. I haven't ridden it in many years, but as I recall, it was very flexible and scary! Note the reinforcement bar in the photo, that, at some point, Bickerton was forced to add before the US would allow them to be imported. I don't think it would be very easy, or practical to replace the handle bars. I guess you could replace the head set but, I always understood that the bearing less plastic headset was used to add a little resistance to the steering, to make them a little less squirrely,
#15
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I never got to try one, but by the sounds of it here, it seems highly crappy.
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Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
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Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog
“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author
Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
#16
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They're really just a curiosity, I have a NoS one in the loft in it's original Bickerton bag together with the handbook and bill of sale.
John.
John.