We found and old Kent bicycle in an abandoned building. It is a 26 inch womens single speed. It had labels indicating it was made in Holland. It is weathered but most of the paint is intact enough to be legible and indicates the brand. It has a headlight. the chain guard has "Rite Kite" on it and next the stem it says "Power Ride". On the bottom of the crank we find three numbers stamped. They are difficult to read but appear to be 263 This forum will not let me post the pictures or a link to my Onedrive. If you think you can help please message me and I will provide a link to the photos. Thank you in advance for any help you might give.

I don't think you can get a more precise ID than what you have --it's a Kent ladies bike with 26” wheels (i would be more specific: what tire size exactly?), made in Holland.

Kent is not a manufacturer. They import cheap bikes made all over the world. It sounds like yours was made in the 60’s or early 70’s.

On the top left under the bike forums logo there's a link, Gallery. you can post your pictures there.

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the most likely manufacturer is Batavus

the rear hub is probably a Fichtel & Sachs product whether badged as Torpedo, Sachs, Centrix, etc

it should bear a date marking on the shell


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T-Mar writes on the Kent marque here -

​​​​​​"Kent was never a "house brand". The Kent brand dates back to 1958 and since it's beginning has been owned by Kent International. The company is headquartered in New Jersey, where the bicycles were originally manufactured. Over the years, the bicycles also been manufactured by various Asian sources, though the company has recently brought back manufacturing to a California factory. The Kent brand was marketed through various large retail chains, which may have given the impression that it was a house brand but these retailers did not own the brand, so Kent should not be considered a house brand. It's worth noting that Kent International has revived and now owns two brands familiar to many C& V members; Shogun and Takara."
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​​​​​​Vintage Kent Rollin' Thunder

manufacturing bicycles today on U.S. soil

​​​​​​https://kent.bike/

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James -

i note that there is a pushbutton switch mounted on the handlebar to control the headlamp but there is no obvious power source for the lamp. is there a battery, or provision for one, inside the lamp housing?

note the cycle's interesting propstand. it bears an external sleeve on the shaft so that length can be adjusted with the aid of a binder collar. no need to hacksaw off a portion of one's ESGE or Greenfield. stand can be moved from one cycle to another with a differing bottom bracket height and still be a good fit.

are you able to determine the purpose of the fitting on the top of the "top tube" (portage grip!) in the centre of the frame?

according to what T-Mar has written regarding the Kent marque 1958 would have been the first year for operation of Kent International, based in Fairfield New Jersey.

wonder if it possible there may have been a second Kent marque (just wylde speculation ).


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You really need to find an original Hite Rite to use on this bicycle. It's absolutely unnecessary and a waste of money in this application but it absolutely belongs.

I'm sorry but I don't understand what you meant Thumpism. Thank you though for your response. Have a Great Day.

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had looked for these links earlier regarding Kent International without success

here they are now

company opened a manufacturing plant in South Carolina in 2016

there is an article about it in Forbes Magazine here -

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbest...h=40cf913f13e8

forum post -

​​​​​​The Unofficial Univega Appreciation Thread!


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The Kent trademark name was created by Philkam Cycle Supply Co. Inc. of Newark, New Jersey in August 1958.

Philkam Cycle began in 1947, but the family business extends back to 1909 with Abraham Kamler. This is how the current Kent International can claim over 100 years of experience.

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

Centrix hubs were produced by Richard Gottschalk in Gevelsberg, West Germany.

Kent logo from the US Patent Office 1958.

Another Kent made in Holland from ebay. Serial number on the dropout. Centrix hub by Gottschalk.


Kent Ride Rite

Kent Ride Rite

Although made in Holland, they were made exclusively for the North-American market. No Dutchman would recognize it, and matching it to a manufacturer is difficult without additional information.

Batavus and Union are likely suspects, though.