Australian Cycling Forums - Bicycles Network Australia

ACE were also an Adelaide based Cycle shop i believe back in the 50-70's
I really dont know much about them but I believe they were located in croydon (could be wrong)
I have seen some ACE specials, these consist of a brazed "A" on the head tube and also seen the "A" in a fancy cursive style, they were highly built and are quite rare.
It could be a possibility that yours is an ACE from here?

Thanks SL !

Any Adelaidians help out here with more info ?

Frame builder with the initials A.O.S ?

ok , browsing my booklet from 1936 called the "South Australian Centenary Cycling Derby" i found this advert which may provide some extra information on this frame.
As your frame is definitely pre war it "MAY" add up to this advert being from 1936 from them, they were located in Adelaide on Payneham Rd (where i used to live and not far where i am now) and another shop at Pirie St in Adelaide CBD.

Of course i cannot be sure its the same manufacturer or its linked but there could be a connection here.

Looks like they were quite well known around the world but yours is definitely Australian made as that rear brake Bridge is an aussie thing, never seen them on any british bikes or any other cycle outside Australia.
Hope this sheds some insight on your frame, ACE looks like it stands for Australia Canada England



ride an ACE for PACE

Cheers, silverlight!!!

kukamunga wrote:Thanks SL !

Any Adelaidians help out here with more info ?

Frame builder with the initials A.O.S ?

It doesn't take much looking to realise that these letters were made with either a hacksaw blade or the edge of a triangular or half round file. [or something similar]
These are not the initials of the frame builder, who would never have used such a primotive method, but they would be the initials of a previous owner.

This style of rear tip [dropout] was probably first seen in the very late 30's & was widely used post war.
The mounting holes for the anchor that was used when cam adjusters were fitted to the rear axle are absent from these tips & this is an indication of its probable age which I now put at 'late pre war to early post war'
The brake bridge was also pretty much from this era too, although I can not recall seeing a clearly identified pre war frame with this bridge. [possible fuzzy memory problem]

kukamunga wrote: I may get it stripped, cleaned and polished up a bit, convert the head tube to accept 'normal' headset cups (if possible), and paint it up

Sorry, but I had to chuckle.
Hopefully, by now you realise that it already HAS a "normal" headset. This type was quite 'normal' when this frame was new.

How about some gears. A nice Sturmey Archer three speed would make it a bit more useable & they were just made for frames such as this. Don't ask too loudly for the old AW model for fear of being buried under the pile of donated examples. New ones can still be found if you ask the right people.
Better still would be an AM [3 speed medium ratio] or even better still, an FW [4 speed, wide ratio]
I have an FW in my 1947 Three Star & from memory it was not a bad thing at all. { I have not riden it in 20 years]

Thanks Kid! Great info! WWII was from 1939-1945, is that correct?

The 'AOS' (?) was also on the steerer tube.....

..... which is why I think it may be the frame builders 'moniker'

Hopefully, by now you realise that it already HAS a "normal" headset. This type was quite 'normal' when this frame was new

"New" was over sixty years ago! I work in a bicycle shop that has been around for seventy years and family run and still build frames today. We cannot source those style of headsets any more (though this one went on ebay recently)

I am not trying to restore this bike (that's not my scene) but would like to use it. I could modify the headtube and retro fit a 'modern' headset, but would have to use a different fork or longer steerer, which I don't want to do. Hence, I am going to leave headtube and headset original

I have access to a number of SA hubs and parts, but feel a heavy, steel rear hub in such a light, svelte frame which already has signs of chainstay repairs, would do it no justice

Cheers, and thanks for all the info so far

Kid_Carbine wrote:How about some gears. A nice Sturmey Archer three speed would make it a bit more useable & they were just made for frames such as this. Don't ask too loudly for the old AW model for fear of being buried under the pile of donated examples. New ones can still be found if you ask the right people.
Better still would be an AM [3 speed medium ratio] or even better still, an FW [4 speed, wide ratio]
I have an FW in my 1947 Three Star & from memory it was not a bad thing at all. { I have not riden it in 20 years]

I think it was Sheldon Brown's website where I read that the various 4 speed hubs and the medium and close-ratio hubs were discontinued by Sturmey-Archer about 1963. A real shame, because I think that the FW with it's extra low gear and slightly lower top gear would actually have been ideal for a wide range of bicycles.

Wed Sep 16, 2009 1:24 pm? Meh.....

I still have this frame, and recently found and refitted the original headset with new loose balls and grease. The cups were marked as British / England, and looked of exceptional quality. The headset is smoooooth as now!

This has almost inspired me to build it up and get it rolling! (unless someone want to make an offer)

I did try and sell this frame and fork set at a recent BikeFest Swap Meet, but to no avail

Ok - so now I've dressed it up a bit with some decals, and done a mock build up from my parts bins



If anyone seriously wants to rescue this frame from becoming a bitsa-fixie, make me a serious offer. Otherwise, I'll continue on to see how this bike handles

On 22/06/09 :shock: , hartleymartin wrote:Could you please measure the wheelbase?

Finally got around to measuring....... (you still around, Martin?).....

Chainstays = 450 mm (17.75")
Wheelbase = 1020 mm (40")

Good measurements! Now to determine bar type and stem length - drop, track, moustache, bullhorn, flat, swept, riser? 60, 80, 100? Pity I've sold off most of my bars and old style quill stems. Might have to pick up a few bits at the next swap meet!

kukamunga wrote:

On 22/06/09 :shock: , hartleymartin wrote:Could you please measure the wheelbase?

Finally got around to measuring....... (you still around, Martin?).....

Chainstays = 450 mm (17.75")
Wheelbase = 1020 mm (40")

Good measurements! Now to determine bar type and stem length - drop, track, moustache, bullhorn, flat, swept, riser? 60, 80, 100? Pity I've sold off most of my bars and old style quill stems. Might have to pick up a few bits at the next swap meet!

Never thought I would see the day where you were short on parts....

Well - it has been quite a few years since the good 'ol Knox hard rubbish scavenging days. Up until recently, I've been kept off the streets by gainful employment!