DISRAELI GEARS
The Cyclo Oppy was named after Sir Hubert Opperman, a legendary Australian cyclist who set an untold number of long distance records between the two Worlds Wars. Particularly famous was his victory in the 1931 Paris-Brest-Paris event, in which he covered the 726 miles non-stop in 49 hours and 23 minutes. ‘Oppy’ (as he was known - in the tradition that gave us ‘Gazza’) was an enthusiastic advocate of derailleur gear systems in general, and of Cyclo’s derailleurs in particular. ‘Oppy’ is not only regarded as one of the greatest Australian sportsmen ever (sharing that pantheon with the likes of his friend Sir Donald Bradman) but also went on to become a cabinet minister in various Australian governments after his retirement from cycling.
The Cyclo Oppy is a lighter, shorter version of the Cyclo Standard. It has an integral chain tension spring and the mounting bracket is slightly canted forward to give a smoother cable run. It was designed for medium ratio solo bicycles - and although production ended in 1949, it was still fondly remembered in CTC club rooms in Britain in the late 1970’s.
Browse associated documents.
UK Patent # 509,793 - Cyclo Gear Company
UK Patent # 509,793 - Cyclo Gear Company
Motor Cycle and Cycle Trader 05/1939 - Cyclo Gear Company ad
Motor Cycle and Cycle Trader 05/1939 - Cyclo Gear Company ad
Motor Cycle and Cycle Trader 05/1939 - Derailleur Gear Specifications page ii - scan 1 of 2
Motor Cycle and Cycle Trader 05/1939 - Derailleur Gear Specifications page ii - scan 1 of 2
Official Prices for Cyclo Gears & Accessories scan 2 of 6
Official Prices for Cyclo Gears & Accessories scan 2 of 6
Le Cycle 12/1948 - image of Cyclo Oppy
Le Cycle 12/1948 - image of Cyclo Oppy
Cyclo Catalogue - 1948 scan 3 of 5
Cyclo Catalogue - 1948 scan 3 of 5
Cyclo Catalogue - 1949 scan 3 of 5
Cyclo Catalogue - 1949 scan 3 of 5
Holdsworth - Aids to Happy Cycling 1949 page 5, scan 7 of 24
Holdsworth - Aids to Happy Cycling 1949 page 5, scan 7 of 24
Cyclo - Spares Fixed Selling Prices 52/A scan 3 of 8
Cyclo - Spares Fixed Selling Prices 52/A scan 3 of 8