Canuk
Old School Grand Master
With the great first world war approaching, the French nerve centre of bicycle production and innovation the city of Saint Etienne really took off. Mercier was founded there in 1919, Clement and Ideale saddles set up shop, but before then massive investment in production started around the turn of the century.
There's a new museum dedicated to the industry in Saint Etienne opened last year, well worth a visit;
https://www.la-croix.com/A-Cite-Design-Saint-Etienne-renouveau-velo-Europe-2022-11-07-1301241196
The same explosion in production happened in Belgium around the same time. Here's one of the very first shaft drive bicycles produced in Belgium around 1905.
There's a new museum dedicated to the industry in Saint Etienne opened last year, well worth a visit;
https://www.la-croix.com/A-Cite-Design-Saint-Etienne-renouveau-velo-Europe-2022-11-07-1301241196
The same explosion in production happened in Belgium around the same time. Here's one of the very first shaft drive bicycles produced in Belgium around 1905.
