Fifty Plus (50+) - When I were a lad...

Some bike-related technologies are now seen as antiquated but a lot of us used them when were were growing up. A few for starters from me:

"Bar brakes" on my first bike - steel rods and cams connected to the brake levers - they lifted the brake pads against the wheels

A mileometer attached to the front fork and activated by a steel pin attached to a spoke

A smelly rain cape made of oiled cotton

How about you guys - did anyone out there use a carbide lamp when they were still in common use?

I had a mechanical (cable) speedometer on my old Western Flyer (1960s). Had a needle indicator like a car speedometer and an odometer. Accuracy was highly questionable since I don't recall any wheel-size calibration.

Edit: almost forgot the baseball cards in the spokes!

I had one of those cable driven speedometers also. I they were specific as to wheel size.

My neighbor had a siren mounted on his bike that he activated by repeatedly pulling a chain. I always got to be the robber and he was always the cop. (the robber always got away)

I didn't wear any helmet. I'm thinking of putting my hair in a pony-tail tomorrow and taking a ride to the beach helmetless! :eek: I've been in a rebelious mood lately.

^^^I had one of those sirens.^^^They turn up on eBay occasionally.

I had playing cards attached to my forks so they could rattle against the spokes.

My 1936 Columbia has a two speed hub with a stick shift, with a knob on top, on the top tube.

Edit: almost forgot the baseball cards in the spokes!

Front and back!

I still have a bike with rod brakes.

I had various headlights and taillights, and even a turn signal. All of these used batteries of the day, which where weak, and didn't last long, or provide much light. The lights themselves also rusted within weeks of being put on the bike, with the thin layer of chrome flaking off. And a few of the speedometers and odometers that used a pin on the spokes. I also had a Mattel VROOM.