Sometimes I just get a wild hair to ride something I know I won’t see ridden by anyone else thus started looking at surplus military bikes. So far they look like they all weigh a ton which doesn’t appeal to me, who knows a bit about them ? Any sleepers ?

Canadian troops in later waves of the D-Day assault on Juno Beach, Normandy, came ashore with large numbers of bicycles -- this was after the beach had been secured enough that the landing craft could come in at high water and disembark soldiers close to the sea wall where the bicycles would not have fatally encumbered them over a long stretch of surf and exposed beach under fire. (By this time there was still bloody fighting in the American Omaha sector, where fierce German resistance at the beach persisted until the end of the day. Our lot had an easy time of it, by comparison.) They appear prominently in Canadian archival photos. Nearly all these bicycles were abandoned -- or given away to local civilians -- within a day or two and remain sprinkled over the Normandy countryside in various stages of rust and disrepair to this day. I don't think there was anything militarily special about them -- in other photos they appear similar to what these young men had ridden on farm roads or delivering newspapers in towns. They proved not practical in the bocage country, whose unexpected combination of near-impenetrability to vehicles, including tanks, and the cover they provided for German anti-tank ambushes was one of the great intelligence failures of the invasion.


LCIL 299 has hit a mined beach obstacle and has grounded short. (She was later floated off and sailed back to England.) Bicycles being carried by disembarking troops are getting a good salt-water soaking. The prominent house in centre (left end of the beach) was the first house in Bernières-sur-Mer to be liberated by Canadian soldiers in the opening minutes of the landing. The family continues to maintain it as "Canada House" after the death of the owner. It was visited by many veterans over the years. Photo Credit: Imperial War Museum

There's that ultra cool Bianchi WW1 bike, foldable, front and rear suspension of course. Think other manufacturers had similar specimens.

The Swiss had cycling troops until 2001. They used a heavy rugged single speed bike for most of the time, serviceable with just one key, for a long period. Such bikes have a devoted followership, there are clubs etc, and some have done incredible things with them.

Shortly before the unit was disbanded, they switched to a more modern MTB style bike with Mahuras and an RD which must have cost a fortune, given how the military works. Such bikes and their more classic ancestors occasionally show up at the usual market places as well as at specialized dealers.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swis...ycle#The_MO-05

I could swear I saw a platoon in the early 2000s in Bern Switzerland on olive MTBs with a lot of Edco on them but the Wiki does not mention them; and it must have been after 2001 most likely - i may be getting old...


When looking at the European market, it may help to know that the similarly famous "Waffenrad" -most well known is the one made by Steyr as in Puch as in Austro Daimler- (the name means "weapon bicycle/arms bicycle" ) has no military background other than being manufactured initially by an arms factory.

Remember the military over specs things so they are so robust they are difficult to be be destroyed, which means heavy

all of the military bikes i have ever seen posted are work horses

swiss arrmy bike 48 lbs https://www.sportsmansguide.com/prod...used?a=1847491

I've seen people ride the "Ötztal Marathon" (5500m/16500ft up 230km) on those...

I could have referred you to a guy in the know but he passed away a couple of years ago. He was a retired Army colonel and a cyclist and he loved turn of the (last) century machines and military bikes of all ages, and he owned and showed several. A member of a military vehicle collectors group, he wasn't a Jeep guy or a motorcycle guy, he was the bicycle guy. Phil would have enjoyed the opportunity to chat.

An old saying... "A elephant is nothing but a mouse built to military specifications" The Swiss built some interesting military bicycles.

this is a model M 05 (year of introduction). it was succeeded by model 93 M which was a bit heavier

This looks like a variation of the Swiss bikes posted above.

Try this link over at the CABE.

https://thecabe.com/forum/index/military-bicycles.43/

That rear derailleur guard is hilarious! It does need some drillium put on it though....

https://militaryhistorynow.com/2012/...e-battlefield/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swiss_army_bicycle


Several of the major sellers of military surplus from all over the world, do carry the MO-93 as well as sometimes having the very ancient MO-05.
Some have significantly better pricing than the Sportsmans Guide has, but often when these are priced below eight hundred dollars, they sell out quickly.
They aren't worth that much for pure value as a practicle bicycle that one would ride today, but many who collect military collectibles like them for display as well as a once in a while unique cruiser for use to just show it off. There seems to be a very large number of both of these models of ex-Swiss army bicycles in circulation in rideable condition. I know someone that owns and sometimes ride the "modern" MO-93.

I've long been inspired by the military bikes when customizing my own builds. Balancing utility, durability, practicality and weight is a challenge... Throw in cost and you start to really appreciate the Swiss and Danish for pulling off mass production of these military bikes. The good news there are so many awesome frames and build accessories available today, you can reasonably build your own nearly perfect "Swiss Army Bike".

Did I miss it or did no one mention the Buffalo Soldiers Bicycle Corps?

https://www.historynet.com/the-buffa...rode-bikes.htm

Columbia Compax Paratrooper Bicycle
https://onlinebicyclemuseum.co.uk/19...x-paratrooper/

BSA developed this little number in WW2...and may well have produced the Short Magazine Lee–Enfield No4 Mk1 (SMLE) attached to it...
https://oldbike.wordpress.com/1939-1...troopers-bike/

Montague Paratrooper Tactical Folding Mountain Bike...a modern take.
https://www.montaguebikes.com/military-folding-bikes/

I've long been inspired by the military bikes when customizing my own builds. Balancing utility, durability, practicality and weight is a challenge... Throw in cost and you start to really appreciate the Swiss and Danish for pulling off mass production of these military bikes. The good news there are so many awesome frames and build accessories available today, you can reasonably build your own nearly perfect "Swiss Army Bike".

For whatever it's worth, since you posted the paratrooper stuff- yesterday was "National Airborne Day" in the US.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Airborne_Day


Another FWIW- When I was in Airborne School- the surviving members of the original Test Platoon were touring Ft. Benning- all these old timers watching us train on the towers.

Their 'training' was "out the door you go!!!"

2/75th and 1/509th

AATW !!!

1/508 and 3/505

Re-enlist!

All-American!

Hooah!

Is that 1/509 at Ft. Chaffee?

Did OPFOR with them for JRTC in 1989.

No Vicenza Italy 83-85 they became the 4/325 during that period

Thank you for sharing Golden Boy. A coincidence I'm sure. I acknowledge their service, duty and sacrifice and honour all serving, past and fallen members of both our countries armed forces.

I think Italy was 3/325 back then. That regimental re-org in 87 made a lot of those units go goofy- name wise and play musical chairs across the globe.

No it became 4/325, I was present for the regimental ceremony. It was around July ‘83 shortly after I left 2/75th. Everyone still referred to it as the ‘09 for a few years after.

.
... there's a group of people interested in these over on the CABE.