The Golden Boy 

That's a drag.

But at least you picked up some karate lessons... hopefully.

T-Mar

Pro Tour was a private label brand for one of the chain stores, but I forget which one. Basically, it's a cousin to a Supercycle. Don't expect much. I see an early to mid-1980s model with hi-tensile frame with steel bars, steel stem and steel (cotterless?) crankset, though the rims look like they may be aluminum. Lots of rust. Given the severely bent fork, I wouldn't even be making the trip. This is a $20 CDN parts bicycle.

bashley

I didn't bother to make the trip, based on the convincing consensus of folks here. I did come across what's probably another private label brand, made in Canada. A 1983 "Pacer". Cheap Shimano mech (Lark SS RD) $30. Kinda cool because offered by original owner and in amazingly good shape, cosmetically. He said (sheepishly) if he'd put 50 miles on it over 30 years or so, it might be a stretch. Wondering, though, what retail channel the bike may have sold through.

T-Mar

Pacer was a Zeller's owned brand, that first appeared circa 1975. Sounds like you found a reasonable and much better deal.

RobbieTunes 

I agree.

Someone had to....

bashley

Thanks T-Mar! I hadn't appreciated or fully understood just how far and wide the bike boom had penetrated into retail industry, especially the dominant department stores. But I've seen more and more of remnants, so many cheap mystery bikes sharing a rather trashy lineage, and yet surviving in sheds, basements, garages. The department chains' individual and collective power to compel the bike industry to produce store-specific brands across North America is impressive (or oppressive!).

For all the junk that was sold in huge numbers to unsuspecting consumers, might these departments stores themselves have accelerated the busting of the bubble? Or, did they have influence in both expanding the bubble and its subsequent collapse? For all that, returning to the present, are the current box stores, with the low quality bikes they sell, an impediment to growth of a wider cycling public? Is this a North American phenomenon, a factor, however small, in placing North American's further behind counterparts in major cities of old Europe?

I'm wondering, too, if the old fellow from whom I bought the barely ridden Zeller's Pacer, who barely rode 50 miles in 35 years, would typify the average bike boom customer. Did people get swept up by a cool (kewl) hypnotic factor--just had to have a 10-speed--then figured out it, that unlike the Pontiac Firebird, the bike still required physical exertion, and under-performed mechanically, clunker-level at best, and so relegated it to a permanent home at the back of the shed?

T-Mar

The practice of selling contract manufactured, private label brands via department and hardware stores goes right back to the first bicycle boom of the late 1890s. Circa 1895, you could by an Eatonia from Eaton's or a Victor from Simpson's, in addition to numerous other private label brands offered by less prominent retailers. Perhaps the most ubiquitous of the Canadian private label brands is Supercyle, which Canadian Tire started marketing circa 1938. I've identified literally dozens of Canadian private label brands covering the last 125 years.

Sporting goods in general often suffer from good intentions but light use. It is not unique to bicycles or any specific era, though the early 1970s does feature prominently. No doubt, many consumers got caught up in the bicycle fad and those that bought budget models were less inclined to ensure they got money out of it.

It can also be argued that the poor performance of these bicycles, discouraged the owners from riding, and led to premature, permanent relegation to the garage or basement. In my experience, these bicycles are not as poor as their reputation. The problem lies more with the inexperienced personnel that were hired to perform the assembly. Properly assembled and adjusted, most of these bicycles are capable of providing a satisfactory experience to the average recreational rider.

The question of the whether the private label, budget bicycle was a boon or hindrance to the industry is debatable. Whenever a consumer segment gets popular, there will always be new players popping up, looking to make a quick dollar by underselling the major brands. Most of these products are actually being made by the same companies who make the major brands. However, new manufacturers will also spring up and then it then becomes a price war with the major manufacturers. Initially, prices are driven down, without impact on design and workmanship, which benefits consumers. However, it then gets to point where manufacturers start looking for cheaper components and start making cost concessions with design and workmanship. Eventually, they start looking forr cheaper labour markets and manufacturing facilities are shut down. Some will argue that the increased competition fosters technological advancement and that only the fittest survive, which creates a stronger industry, while others argue that it drives down engineering, materials and workmanship. Regardless of which view you endorse, it's the nature of the free enterprise system.

bashley

T-Mar, I appreciate your taking time to highlight some historical context, as well as pointing to both arguments and counterarguments concerning effects of competition. Obviously, insofar as you've taken pains to document dozens of private label Canadian brands, this historical segment of the industry apparently holds a particular interest for you. Have you gone so far as to try to organize your lists into some kind of document that might be shareable? Or, is this data just something you keep tucked away in the attic between your ears? hehe

T-Mar

It has been documented. I believe that at last count I had synopses for 345 Canadian brands and/or manufacturers. At one time, I had intended some form of publication, after my planned retirement from the forum. However, my initial attempt was met with a barrage of personal attacks from some within the community. This soured me on the project and I prefer to answer questions as they come up, besides maintaining my serial number database threads. On the positive side, the negative experience did prompt my return to these forums.

Edit: BTW, I love your neck of the woods. I've vacationed on PEI, staying at a campground near New Glasgow. If my back was 10 years years younger, on my next visit I'd be trying to cycle the length of the island in a day, which I calculate is achievable.

bashley

This sad tale takes me back to the days of Usenet, the flamewars, the trolls, and all those related hostilities. Very unfortunate, but understandable how one could get soured enough to exit the fray.

The number itself--345 Cdn brands--is much, much more than I might have ever guessed, but even that number alone is useful information for someone like me who combs online classifieds and yard sales. The number itself better sets me up to be unsurprised to come across an old bike with a mysterious provenance. I think my mindset has been too inclined towards a relatively closed set of brand origins, especially in Canada. It's also helpful in correcting an erroneous tendency to think something unheard (or copied) could be exotic and rare, pulling me closing to the more probable reality of cheap and common. The example of my thinking the "Pro Tour" might have been something special (a nice Centurion) is a perfect example of my error in wishful thinking.

I hope that someday, you may rethink sharing your complete list. For all those who would direct cannon fire across your bow, I'm sure there would be a contingent of folks grateful for passage aboard your ship.

bashley

Yeah, PEI's Tip-to-Tip ride as it's called, is an achievable day journey of 300km or so, if that's the goal. I'd advise a slow meander, though, instead of B-Lining it. Lots of beautiful diversions and vistas one would miss if sticking to an A-to-B itinerary. Or do both! Race one way, relax on the return trip.