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Velo News
Home / Gallery / Gallery: Celebrating 200 years of the bicycle
The Musée du Vélo was originally in Cormatin, France, from 1997 to 2007. It had to close its doors for financial reasons, but it later re-opened in Tournus, France, in 2009. Photo: Brad Kaminski
Musée du Vélo: Dandy-horse
In 1817, German Baron Karl Von Drais invented the dandy-horse. Ridden like a strider bike, the dandy-horse is the first known bicycle and was patented in 1818. This 1820 version was used by Von Drais to cover 14.4km in one hour. Photo: Brad Kaminski
Musée du Vélo: Adjustable saddle
There was even a three-level saddle height adjustment on the dandy-horse from 1820. Photo: Brad Kaminski
Musée du Vélo: Pennyfarthings
Pennyfarthings big and small. Photo: Brad Kaminski
Musée du Vélo: Hand brake
Shown here is the braking system from an 1869 bicycle. Photo: Brad Kaminski
Musée du Vélo: Delivery trike
Michel Grezaud, the founder of Musée du Vélo, collected bikes and bike-related items for 40 years. He was a butcher in the 1950s, and used this old milkman delivery tricycle to deliver his meats to his customers. Photo: Brad Kaminski
Musée du Vélo: Mini peloton
A miniature peloton of figurines. Photo: Brad Kaminski
Musée du Vélo: Child's bike
It is hard to tell the scale from the photo, but this Peugeot wooden bicycle is sized for a child. Photo: Brad Kaminski
Musée du Vélo: Child seat
This early front-mounted child seat was equiped with arm rests, foot rests, and a seatbelt. Photo: Brad Kaminski
Musée du Vélo: Child's tandem
A child’s tandem bicycle, complete with pink saddles. Photo: Brad Kaminski
Musée du Vélo: Triplet
With drop bars in front and mustache bars in back, this triplet bicycle dates back to 1938. Photo: Brad Kaminski
Musée du Vélo: Bells
“On your left!” A beautiful collection of bicycle bells. Photo: Brad Kaminski
Musée du Vélo: Tour de France poster
The 29th edition of the Tour de France in 1935 was won by Belgian Romain Maes. Photo: Brad Kaminski
Musée du Vélo: Derailleur
In 1937, the derailleur made its debut at the Tour de France. Photo: Brad Kaminski
Musée du Vélo: Downtube shifter
A downtube shifter on a 1937 Tour de France bicycle. Photo: Brad Kaminski
Musée du Vélo: Needlepoint
Handmade needle work scenes of European cycling. Photo: Brad Kaminski
Musée du Vélo: Two-wheel drive
This 1950 bicycle could be driven by pedaling but also by pumping the handlebars from side to side. Photo: Brad Kaminski
Musée du Vélo: Large chainring
This bicycle may have been used to attempt a speed record at one time by the looks of the huge chainring. Photo: Brad Kaminski
Musée du Vélo: Velo china
A collection of velo-inspired china. Photo: Brad Kaminski
Musée du Vélo: Drivetrain
Note the very interesting gearing on this Levocyclette “Terrot.” Photo: Brad Kaminski
Musée du Vélo: Velo cigars
Cigars and matchboxes of cycling greats. Photo: Brad Kaminski
Musée du Vélo: Swiss Military
The Swiss Military bicycle was in production for 90 years, from 1905 to 1995. Photo: Brad Kaminski
Musée du Vélo: Front suspension
A front suspension bicycle from 1935. Photo: Brad Kaminski
Musée du Vélo: Head badges
The museum has an extensive collection of vintage head badges. Photo: Brad Kaminski
Musée du Vélo: Geometric tubing
This 1935 aluminium-lugged bicycle has octagonal tubing. Photo: Brad Kaminski
Musée du Vélo: Plastic bike
An all-plastic bicycle, with the exception of a few parts, was built by Itera in the 1980’s. Photo: Brad Kaminski
Musée du Vélo: Lefty righty
Lefty! No, righty! This wild bicycle has a lefty fork and righty stays. Photo: Brad Kaminski
