Cycles Clément N°1

1902

13.05kg

61cm

A pioneer in the field, Cycles Clément was founded in 1878 by Adolphe Clément, a self-taught mechanic. At the cutting edge of technology and always on the lookout for the latest innovations, he developed high-performance bicycles that went on to achieve numerous successes in competition. Cycles Clément thus became the leading French brand.

In 1902, when this model rolled off the assembly line in Levallois-Perret, Clément bicycles were at their peak. Along with Peugeot, they were the two largest manufacturers in France.

This bicycle, which has undergone a complete restoration, features all the hallmarks of the brand. First, the single-roller chain with an 18-mm pitch—introduced in 1896 and used until World War I—would make the brand famous. Equipped with an optional freewheel (a new feature introduced in 1900), this bike had to be fitted with a powerful brake: the rubber-pad brake on the front wheel is also a patented technology of the brand.

Although equipped with the rare No. 5 low handlebars, this bicycle is not the brand’s racing model, but rather the more economical No. 1 model. Buyers could choose the handlebar model they wanted when placing their order.

• Frame:
  • Serial number : 152313
  • Removable chainstays
• Fork, brakes and steering:
  • Patented Clement front brake
  • Handlebar tightened with a collar clamp
  • Clément low handlebars, model No. 5, 39cm c-to-c
• Drivetrain:
  • Clément 40T/14T gear set (18 mm pitch)
  • Gear ratio of 6.25m
  • Clément freewheel without pawl (optional)
• Wheels:
  • 700B Westwood rims (38mm wide), 36 spokes
  • Front and rear Clément hubs
  • BERGOUGNAN 700 Standard tires, 700x35B in white color
• Accessories:
  • Original Lamplugh 254 saddle
  • Clément leather saddle bag
  • Original Clément pedals (M14x100 thread, brand-specific)