1950s Rochet Lady’s Bicycle

1950s Rochet Bicycle

 

 

This very attractive postwar French bicycle was made by one of France’s renowned manufacturers.

It’s blessed with styling excesses typical of the ‘fashionable’ upmarket cycle makers of the era. This was a time when many French manufacturers saw their machines as artistic statements, some of their showrooms even being sited in the streets famous for top French fashion houses.

Observe the fancy lugwork and mudguards.

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CYCLES ROCHET

RUE DE LA FOLIE REGNAULT 74,

Paris, France

Cycles Rochet was one of France’s early bicycle manufacturers. The company was originally from Lyons, starting as stonecutters before moving into cycle manufacture in the 1890s. The Paris showrooms were opened in 1903. Its factory, at Albert, Somme, was destroyed in 1914.

 

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This bicycle is in good all-round condition, but would benefit from a service before being used.

The paintwork is tired, but it is delightfully original, retaining all its important components: handlebar grips, levers, lights, toolbag, rear carrier, items that all too often have been misplaced or replaced sixty odd years down the road.

The saddle is an upmarket Wolber.

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