Simplex Amsterdam frame
02-24-22 | 05:32 PM
#1
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Joined: Nov 2021
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Simplex Amsterdam frame
I think this is post #9 for me, so can't share photos just yet, but someone can check them out in my Gallery and reply with them if interested.
I just picked up a Simplex Amsterdam frame and wonder what others here know about it. An old company for sure, this looks to me like one of their later and perhaps budget-minded options. Neither fork ends nor dropouts are forged, so it's not a fancy thing by most standards. Head badge is neato and the frame is straight and dent-free, so I figure I can at minimum, a) run it with 26" wheels single speed, or b) hang it on the garage wall to inspire nice thoughts. I do like looking at it I must say, but wonder what folks might know about the brand, and perhaps this model. 50's? 60's? Not much info online aside from this (Thanks Google Translate!):
"Simplex built the first bicycles in Utrecht in 1890. Six years later, the factory moved to Amsterdam. For example, the brand introduced the cycloid bearing, which resulted in a very light-running bike. Later, a separate drum brake was introduced. It all contributed to an extremely solid bike that could last a lifetime. The Simplex cross frames are especially well-known now, but the factory also made many sports bikes in the 1950s and 1960s. In 1952 Simplex merged with Locomotive. In 1965 the production moved to Juncker in Apeldoorn. That factory closed in 1971."
I just picked up a Simplex Amsterdam frame and wonder what others here know about it. An old company for sure, this looks to me like one of their later and perhaps budget-minded options. Neither fork ends nor dropouts are forged, so it's not a fancy thing by most standards. Head badge is neato and the frame is straight and dent-free, so I figure I can at minimum, a) run it with 26" wheels single speed, or b) hang it on the garage wall to inspire nice thoughts. I do like looking at it I must say, but wonder what folks might know about the brand, and perhaps this model. 50's? 60's? Not much info online aside from this (Thanks Google Translate!):
"Simplex built the first bicycles in Utrecht in 1890. Six years later, the factory moved to Amsterdam. For example, the brand introduced the cycloid bearing, which resulted in a very light-running bike. Later, a separate drum brake was introduced. It all contributed to an extremely solid bike that could last a lifetime. The Simplex cross frames are especially well-known now, but the factory also made many sports bikes in the 1950s and 1960s. In 1952 Simplex merged with Locomotive. In 1965 the production moved to Juncker in Apeldoorn. That factory closed in 1971."
https://bikeforums.net/g/picture/24158578
02-25-22 | 06:11 AM
#4
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 688
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From: Netherlands
Bikes: Especialy Alan, but also Empella, Cascarsi, Gazelle, Bianchi, CJV, Sirocco, Berkers etcetera
Did you see this?
https://oudefiets.nl/documenten/?_search=simplex
https://www.facebook.com/groups/854580644558517/
https://oudefiets.nl/documenten/?_search=simplex
https://www.facebook.com/groups/854580644558517/
Last edited by fabiofarelli; 02-25-22 at 07:30 AM.
02-25-22 | 10:20 AM
#5
Cyclotouriste
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 11,785
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From: South Holland, NL
Bikes: Yes, please.
The fact the it doesn't have forged ends doesn't say much. They weren't used often - if at all - on this type of bicycle, whatever the quality level.
Having said that, this looks to be a basic model. A quick search did not reveal much. Could this perhaps have been a model exclusively produced for export?
Having said that, this looks to be a basic model. A quick search did not reveal much. Could this perhaps have been a model exclusively produced for export?
02-25-22 | 12:46 PM
#6
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