Introducing the 1930’s Bicycle: Hetchins Club Racer!

This vintage gem brings back the charm and grace of cycling from a bygone era. With its timeless design and smooth performance, it’s the perfect ride for those who appreciate the classics. Get ready to turn heads as you cruise around town on this iconic piece of cycling history.

HETCHINS CLUB RACER

This weeks “Bicycle of the Week” is a 1930’s Hetchins Club Racer bicycle. Renowned for their distinctive wavy tubing, Hetchins bicycles of the 1930s provided a smooth and comfortable ride on rugged roads. A notable touch on this particular bicycle, is the incorporation of the shield of London city in its design. Unlike the customary lacey lugs found on other Hetchins models, this bicycle showcases a departure from that norm. However, this absence was soon rectified, as the intricate tubing joints would later become a standard feature on Hetchins frames about a decade afterward.

Hyram “Harry” Hetchins and his collaborator Jack Denny cultivated a dedicated following at their bike emporium in North London. Moreover, their innovations extended beyond the unique curved tubes and intricate lug work. It was said that they drew inspiration from the world of music to craft their exceptional creations.

The seat tube was designed to position the rear wheel further forward. As a result, it shortened the wheelbase for enhanced agility in handling. Parallel to the flowing contours of the tubing, was a dimpled tube. initially, it was built for track racing great, Tony Merkins. Subsequently, this evolved into a regular fixture on Hetchins bicycles made available to the general public.

Built as a performance-oriented club racer, this bicycle emphasizes speed and versatility through its purposeful design elements. The frame geometry and component selection reflect its racing heritage, eschewing traditional touring features like internal gear hubs or integrated cargo racks in favor of a more streamlined, competition-focused build.

While maintaining its performance-oriented focus, the bicycle incorporates practical utility features that align with British cycling traditions. These include full-length fender mounting points for wet weather compatibility and a right-side positioned lamp bracket – a distinctly British specification that reflects the manufacturer’s heritage and compliance with UK road regulations. This positioning optimizes visibility for left-side traffic patterns while maintaining the bike’s athletic intentions.

A UNIQUE BICYCLE REAR DERAILLEUR

A noteworthy innovation on this bike is the Conloy Osgear rear derailleur, characterized by its contemporary parallelogram design and single shift wire. For example, even though it was limited to a single pulley, it still offered a gear difference of six teeth.  Equally important, the shift cable traverses the top tube, culminating in a conveniently placed lever that ensures efficient gear changes.

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