Cruiser 29

In late 2006 I envisioned (with a little help from the MTBR vintage mountain bike discussion board) a restored pre-war cruiser build as a semi-modern 29er single-speed. The project started with a 1930's Colson Motorbike, which originally came with wooden 28-inch wheels.

Colson produced many different bicycle models. The "Motorbike" (more of a style than a model name) had double top tubes, and was available in both a "drop" (bent top tube) and "diamond" (straight top tube) configuration. The frames were also available as part of a "DeLuxe" and "Standard" series, which primarily where distinguish by the component and paint configurations.

The bike as I bought it. (Dec. 06)

Beyond these designations, bikes were available with various options including, headlamp, racks, tanks, etc. Mine appears to originally have been a DeLuxe series frame, likely made in 1934, with few options (or if had any optional equipment, most of it disappeared in the 73 years of the bike's history that proceeded my ownership.

Colson manufactured bicycles from 1917 to 1953 in Elyria ,OH, before being bought out by the Evans Products Company. The bicycles were then sold as "Evans-Colson," and later just "Evans." The bicycles were sold through retailers who often sold them under their own brand name, Firestone and Goodyear were the largest and most well known of these. My bicycle was sold under the "Simmons Hardware Company" brand name.

Simmons Hardware was based in St. Louis, MO, from the mid-1800's until it declared bankruptcy in 1939. Simmons was most known for their "Keen Kutter" knives and tools, and in it's day was one of the largest hardware manufactures in the US.

As the project progresses, I'll update the modifications and parts list. Definitely more to come!

- el (12/06)