the_freewheeler

I've found myself in a position that I may be able to purchase a 1944 Swiss Army bicycle (~$500) and/or a WWII BSA Airborne folding bicycle (~$1500). This particular forum strikes me as a pretty knowledgable bunch, so I'd like to gauge what others would do in this position - which bike you'd prefer, what is the "better deal," which bike is "more collectible," etc.

I'm personally more drawn to the BSA, but the Swiss Army strikes me as a deal I shouldn't pass up.

Here are photos for reference. Neither of the actual bicycles, but same bicycles in similar conditions.
Swiss Army:


BSA:

kingsting

Both seem to be retail price so neither are a deal. The BSA is a much rarer bike. Swiss "militarvelos" had a long run and were made for many many years by several different manufacturers. I've owned both and the Swiss bikes are heavy, solid, and buttery smooth to ride. The BSA's look cool but ride like crap.
A company called Cold War Remarketing has hundreds of the Swiss bikes for sale on their website.

the_freewheeler

That's great info. I came across that website as I started looking into it and noticed that their prices start at $900, which is the cheapest I have seen them listed anywhere. It seems that $500 is a deal in comparison.

Thanks for the insight on the BSA ride quality, definitely serves as a drawback to that option.

kingsting

You're right, They are a little pricey on the cold war website. It's been a while since I was on the site and I forgot what they were asking for them. Nice people there. They got me a couple small parts for mine.
If you want a wall-hanger, the BSA will be tough to beat when it comes to cool factor. If you want something to ride, the Swiss bikes are wonderful (at least on flat roads). They have such a high quality feel to them.

clubman 

Condition is everything and there's not enough info. To answer what's a better deal or what I'd prefer (what do you prefer?) would require good sets of pics of both bikes. Then that should really go in the appraisal thread.

IMO, the BSA is a show piece, not a rider at all.

edit.. @kingsting said it first

TickDoc

I've got a concord m05 swiss bike from '51 and it is aptly described. Buttery smooth and fun as heck so long as you are going downhill (and don't need to stop in a hurry).

I paid about that for mine about 5 yrs ago. One nice quality of the M05 is that it's insanely long run of service means parts are readily available.

Good luck!

the_freewheeler

The BSA truly would just be a wall hanger, and its simplicity is quite beautiful. My heart really wants that bike, but the $1500 price tag is all that's telling me "no."

kingsting

Here is my 1942 model. I paid around 400 for it a while back.

There is a lot of information out there on these bikes if you really dig and have a good online translator.

elcraft

In1992, I visited a bike shop in Amsterdam that had a a modern German-made version of the BSA paratrooper bike. Stunning piece of manufacturing; it was made in a nice alloy steel with an IGH drive train and beautiful light weight wheels. I got a cheap xerox of the spec sheet, but it faded away. Whish I could souce it now......

the_freewheeler

kingsting - that's a beautiful bike. I'd love to find a frame bag like that. thanks for sharing.

Brian Mc

I have one of those frame cases, it's hard framed and really cool. It's leather is gorgeous. Mine is dated 1945. I've got Swiss military "salt & pepper" rucksacks and a couple of early 1900s rifles that are marvels of lockwork and accuracy.
I bought the hard sided frame in hopes of mounting it on my Sports to use as a moble scotch bar for the Tweed Ride, regrettably it doesn't fit my 21" frame Sports. It does fit my '75 Super Course 23" but it clashes with my desire to keep it light. A great resourse for all things Swiss Military is

Uniforms, Strippers, Medals, and Misc. Militaria Forum

I'll post some pics.

zukahn1 

Well the Swiss army is actually a nicer bike if you intend to ride use it some but not rare a lot where made and are still in use as cummuter's. I road on for a while as a commuter it was a bit heavy but road great very smooth on rough roads. The BSA is more of a cool collectors bike wall hanger but like most folders it will kinda suck ride wise basically a wall hanger as others have said. The prices seem just OK if there in very good condition pretty close to retail. Myself I would likely go for the Swiss it is a usefull bike and would be easier to resell in the future and get your money back if you decide you don't like it.

non-fixie 

The Swiss haven't been in any war lately, so there's no way of telling whether they'll actually work.

sailorbenjamin

Military Bicycles | The Classic and Antique Bicycle Exchange

Brian Mc

1943 Frame case, just wish it fit my Sports.

the_freewheeler

are you selling?

Brian Mc

While it didn't work out for me, I also don't yet have enough posts to PM and do not wish to offend the rules of this fine forum.

I would hasten to add that the flash made the case look much lighter than it is. It's a dark olive color.

the_freewheeler

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