From an 1898 Massey Harris. Look at those spoked wheels. The front is a 32 spoked
and the rear has 40 spokes. This was from a top of the line racing bike. Funny how some things change and some things stay the same.

on that seat angle.... That's one change for the better.

on that seat angle.... That's one change for the better.

They were spring loaded, so mostly leveled out once you sat on them.

Are you talking about the ST angle? If so, one of the insets shows what looks like a stem to counteract some of that angle. Prolly not too far off what we ride today!

M

32 front/40 rear spoking was very common with Raleighs as recently as the 1970's (in fact, my Raleigh roadster has such a spoking pattern). This was used so that the same spoke could be used front and rear.

EEK!

No setback!
Zero stem length!
Tiny drop!

That bike's unrideable! :rolleyes:

It's interesting how in recent years a lot of builders, especially 29er and fixie guys, have come around to the old designs. A lot of 29ers use 40 or 36 spokes (I think) and the bigger wheels. Leather saddles are regained popularity and Soma maes several older style bars like those.