Comet Safety Bicycle

This 1895 Comet reflects the standardization of the diamond frame Safety Bicycle that occurred in the 1890's — and it doesn’t.

This bicycle certainly had two wheels of the same size, a rear-wheel chain drive and direct front-wheel steering. It had the mature form of the diamond frame with a straight seat tube stretching from the saddle post to the crank bracket. It had air-filled tires, to give you a nice smooth ride. And so it looked like a present-day bike: but looks can be deceiving.

Aside from the lugs, the frame of this Comet was made entirely out of wood, a material that enjoyed something of a comeback in the North American context, where various manufacturers sought to take advantage of a material that was strong, lightweight and abundant.