Here Paul de Vivie is providing a brief review of the 1901 TCF Concours de Freins. This was an event (partly organised by Paul de Vivie?) designed to test bicycle brakes. Brakes were a new found area of technical interest, because, up to this point, most braking had been done by applying reverse pressure on a fixed gear. The revolutionary new freewheel transmissions demanded the development of revolutionary new (and effective) brakes. For Paul de Vivie, freewheel mechanisms were an essential part of the touring bicycle, and an essential part of any multi-speed transmission. He reckoned that, if he needed multiple freewheels to achieve his aim of perfecting the touring bicycle, then he also needed decent brakes.

The 1901 TCF Concours de Freins was the first of a series of similar events focussing on different aspects of bicycle technology. These events had a decisive impact on the development of the bicycle, and particularly on the development of multi-speed and derailleur transmissions. Despite being concerned with brakes, it was a landmark in derailleur history.

(Source gallica.bnf.fr/ Bibliothèque nationale de France)

• Publisher: T.C.F. Revue Mensuelle
• Country: France
• Date: October 1901
• Derailleur brands: de Vivie, BSA
• Derailleurs: none