Classic & Vintage - Rod Brake bikes

I'm wondering, are there still bike manufacturers that make rod brake bikes? I'd swear that I saw some fairly recently, like 2-3 months ago, on the net somewhere, but can't remember where. They were made in Asia or India maybe. Can anyone help me out?

The reason I'm wondering is because I saw an ad on Craigslist for a "1960's vintage" rod brake bike. But looking at the pictures.... it looked brand spankin new, and I'm thinking it's one of those new rod bikes. There's just something about this guys posts that doesn't sit right with me, he's had others, that are all "off", in my book, and i'd like to call him out if I can prove it. I don't like it when people take advantage of others, it gives bikers a bad name.

Just out of curiosity, when were rod brakes generally faded out for cables in the mass market?

Thanks in advance.

Well I was living in India recently, and I can tell you that Hero Cycles still make Rod brake bikes... with kind of a sit-up-and-beg riding style..

Saw one for sale here in the UK as a 'classic'.

They are heavy as hell but nice and sturdy for the country lanes. Lots of other manufacturers too...

http://www.herocycles.com/images/14.jpg

Prav

I've had a couple of Avon Roadsters from India... both built in the last 6 years. They ride well on the flats.

Excellent!!

Thanks!!

There's a SS, women's, Hercules, with rod operated brakes, sitting on the scrap metal pile at the town dump. It's near the top and I wasn't dressed to climb up there to take a better look. Is it worth fetching home? Had a cool chainring with a "Hercules" cut out patern.

There's a SS, women's, Hercules, with rod operated brakes, sitting on the scrap metal pile at the town dump. It's near the top and I wasn't dressed to climb up there to take a better look. Is it worth fetching home? Had a cool chainring with a "Hercules" cut out patern.

Yes. It's gotta be pre-1960.

Just out of curiosity, when were rod brakes generally faded out for cables in the mass market?


Raleigh still produced the venerable DL1 into the 1980s. I sold a 24" frame single-speed DL1 a few months back that was a non-English Raleigh, likely 1980s vintage. I have no idea as to where it was made, but the final worksmanship wasn't exactly precise as the decals were all a bit askew. Certainly looked like a much older bike as shown below.

Neal

http://web.mit.edu/nlerner/Public/Bikes/DL1.jpg

Here's a pic of the the pair I had.

Just how poorly do rod brakes perform? I have no firsthand experience with them and no great desire to try them out at speed.

There's a SS, women's, Hercules, with rod operated brakes, sitting on the scrap metal pile at the town dump. It's near the top and I wasn't dressed to climb up there to take a better look. Is it worth fetching home? Had a cool chainring with a "Hercules" cut out patern.

Man, I'd snag it for the chainring alone.

Just how poorly do rod brakes perform? I have no firsthand experience with them and no great desire to try them out at speed.

The only thing worse than riding one up a hill is riding one down a hill. Take the unbridled gravitational force of 70lbs low-grade steel combined with my 220+lbs and it is like trying to stop a freight train by dragging your foot.

Man, I'd snag it for the chainring alone.
Kurt, aka cudak888, the "Raleigh Meister," has talked me into going and grabbing it tomorrow morning. It sits about 8 ft. up on a pile of tangled scrap metal. I'll take pictures.

P.S. Many thanks to the Secret Santa who gifted me with a red star. I feel very honored! :D