Mossberg -- first US producer of CF frames (1974)
08-07-19, 04:17 PM
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Mossberg -- first US producer of CF frames (1974)
Announcing development of a CF bicycle frame in the US, by Mossberg, in June 1974. Availability of Mossberg CF frame bikes preceded that of the Graftek G-1 (which was CF layered over Al tubes) in the US by 1-2 years. However, Mossberg production was limited, and they did not produce as many frames or for as long as Graftek. Mossberg was, however, not the world's first CF bike frame produced. A Raleigh Carlton prototype was built in Britain in 1971 and models were produced for racing in Europe prior to 1974.
Mossberg announces availability of road and track models in Dec, 1974.
Interested in further easy reading, a video, and some photos?
This blog/merchandising/book link credits the Raleigh Carlton as being the world's first CF bicycle produced beyond prototype: Forget Kestrel and Peugeot, carbon composite bicycles started with Carlton, in 1971 | Bike Boom
It has a YT video showing one of the Carlton bikes. There is also some discussion about the Graftek bike, but does not even mention the Mossberg bikes.
Some information and photos of the Graftek bike: 1978 Exxon Graftek bike at Classic Cycle Bainbridge Island | Classic Cycle Bainbridge Island Kitsap County
Classic Rendezvous has a little information about the Mossberg models: Mossberg carbon road bikes 1970s
However, these photos show these models were identified as VM-1 and VM-2. Unfortunately, the VM-2 photos were a collage and I couldn't access them or any additional info using the embedded link.
VM-1 has a standard road bike design, but with metal(?) stays.
VM-2 appears to be the model shown as Road X-1000 in the Bicycling! Dec 1974 announcement.
Additional information and opinions can be found in these BF threads mainly:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ing-dec74.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...rbon-bike.html
Mossberg announces availability of road and track models in Dec, 1974.
Interested in further easy reading, a video, and some photos?
This blog/merchandising/book link credits the Raleigh Carlton as being the world's first CF bicycle produced beyond prototype: Forget Kestrel and Peugeot, carbon composite bicycles started with Carlton, in 1971 | Bike Boom
It has a YT video showing one of the Carlton bikes. There is also some discussion about the Graftek bike, but does not even mention the Mossberg bikes.
Some information and photos of the Graftek bike: 1978 Exxon Graftek bike at Classic Cycle Bainbridge Island | Classic Cycle Bainbridge Island Kitsap County
Classic Rendezvous has a little information about the Mossberg models: Mossberg carbon road bikes 1970s
However, these photos show these models were identified as VM-1 and VM-2. Unfortunately, the VM-2 photos were a collage and I couldn't access them or any additional info using the embedded link.
VM-1 has a standard road bike design, but with metal(?) stays.
VM-2 appears to be the model shown as Road X-1000 in the Bicycling! Dec 1974 announcement.
Additional information and opinions can be found in these BF threads mainly:
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...ing-dec74.html
https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...rbon-bike.html
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08-08-19, 09:53 AM
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Yes, according to @top506 in an old BF thread (links provided at bottom of first post) and at least one more in a Velocipede or other online bike forum (not provided).
The New Haven, CT address is the same address as the famous gun maker, and one poster indicated he/she was from CT and it wasn't uncommon to see a CF Mossberg.
Yet another poster said only about 20 of these frames were made before a fire burned the production building to the ground.
If I were KOM (King of Marketing) at Mossberg then, instead of X-1000/X-1001 or VM-1/VM-2, bike models would have been .22, .410, 20, 16, and 12.
The New Haven, CT address is the same address as the famous gun maker, and one poster indicated he/she was from CT and it wasn't uncommon to see a CF Mossberg.
Yet another poster said only about 20 of these frames were made before a fire burned the production building to the ground.
If I were KOM (King of Marketing) at Mossberg then, instead of X-1000/X-1001 or VM-1/VM-2, bike models would have been .22, .410, 20, 16, and 12.
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08-08-19, 10:29 AM
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I believe so.
As an aside, I found a short barreled Mossberg shotgun while magnet fishing a couple of months ago. It was pretty corroded, had been in the river a while. The police took it away to search for a serial number, but then this week said I could have it back. I said "I've no use for it, please toss it."
As an aside, I found a short barreled Mossberg shotgun while magnet fishing a couple of months ago. It was pretty corroded, had been in the river a while. The police took it away to search for a serial number, but then this week said I could have it back. I said "I've no use for it, please toss it."
08-08-19, 11:14 AM
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Death fork? Naaaah!!
FWIW, I was once warned with banning for trying to post a picture of a 590 Shockwave here.........
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You know it's going to be a good day when the stem and seatpost come right out.
(looking for a picture and not seeing it? Thank the Photobucket fiasco.PM me and I'll link it up.)
08-08-19, 11:35 AM
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08-08-19, 12:00 PM
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You're absolutely right! I forgot about 28.
It's been 40 years since my F&S and FF&G days, and none of my friends had a 28.
Good catch!
And thanks for the tip, Top!
It's been 40 years since my F&S and FF&G days, and none of my friends had a 28.
Good catch!
And thanks for the tip, Top!
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08-08-19, 06:23 PM
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Those CF Mossbergs are true unobtainuim bikes. I've done my research on them a few years ago when working on my Line Seeker and even period pics of the bike is quite hard to find, never mind modern ones.
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08-10-19, 08:48 AM
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Interesting to see the parenthetical statement "Titanium bikes have been known to fall apart from metal fatigue in the middle of a race." Back then it would have been Teledyne Titan or ?.
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08-10-19, 09:03 AM
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Someone in another BF post once mentioned you can't miss a Mossberg because of the big red "M" on the back. Now I know what that means.
And that "Swiss cheese" fork isn't the one known as the "Death Fork"?
Cracks me up the "M" is for safety and added stiffness, but drilling out a fork with a cookie cutter is just fine.
Thanks for adding more material to the thread!
And that "Swiss cheese" fork isn't the one known as the "Death Fork"?
Cracks me up the "M" is for safety and added stiffness, but drilling out a fork with a cookie cutter is just fine.
Thanks for adding more material to the thread!
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Last edited by SpeedofLite; 08-10-19 at 11:15 AM.
08-10-19, 11:08 AM
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The 28 is a fine upland gun , love my 28 AYA its the gauge for the refined tweed wearing sort of fellows.
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