In his biography of Major Taylor, Andrew Ritchie says “French racers who had visited the United States and witnessed Taylor’s racing feats considered him the strongest attraction French race promoters could procure…He was, in fact, the best known of all the American sprinters.” (Ritchie, p 135)
The French bicycle featured here may well have been ridden in the first Tour de France. (Note the similarity to that of Maurice Garin, the winner of the first Tour in 1903). I found this bike in France, intrigued by its unusual brass head badge, that reads “U,S.A.” and “Built by Hand.” Until further information comes to light, it is my contention that this 1903 Racer might well have been named in honor of the great American cyclist, Major Taylor.
At the time of the first Tour de France in 1903, according to Andrew Ritchie, Taylor was “the best known American rider in France.” In fact, the Major was considered a hero, “the King of the Bicycle.” French bicycle makers and racing promoters in the late 1890’s and early 1900’s “needed new blood, a star attraction to offer the spectators.” (Ritchie, p 143)
At present I have been unable to identify the maker of my U.S.A. racer. (Unfortunately most of the transfer on the head tube has been obliterated). The badge could stand for almost anyone or anything (“Urban, Scarborough and Allard,” for all I know). Or, as Peter Jourdain suggests, It could be “cleverly coincidental,” an attempt to take advantage of pro-American sentiment. But I think a more plausible explanation is that this bike was named for the international cycling superstar, Major Taylor. As difficult as it may be to believe in 2021, France looked up to America in 1903. It is not a big leap, therefore, to imagine that in naming this bike the U.S.A., the maker sought to capitalize on Taylor’s fame, not unlike more modern bicycles with names like “Merckx,” “Coppi,” “LeMond,” “John Howard,” etc.
In addition to its name, one of the most distinctive features of this bike is the "key" on the rear hub, allowing rapid wheel removal.
Note the similarity between the "U.S.A." and the bicycle ridden to victory by Maurice Garin in the first Tour de France of 1903.
Source: Ritchie, Andrew. Major Taylor: The Fastest Bicycle Rider in the World. San Francisco: Van der Plas/Cycle Publishing, 2009.
The French bicycle featured here may well have been ridden in the first Tour de France. (Note the similarity to that of Maurice Garin, the winner of the first Tour in 1903). I found this bike in France, intrigued by its unusual brass head badge, that reads “U,S.A.” and “Built by Hand.” Until further information comes to light, it is my contention that this 1903 Racer might well have been named in honor of the great American cyclist, Major Taylor.
At the time of the first Tour de France in 1903, according to Andrew Ritchie, Taylor was “the best known American rider in France.” In fact, the Major was considered a hero, “the King of the Bicycle.” French bicycle makers and racing promoters in the late 1890’s and early 1900’s “needed new blood, a star attraction to offer the spectators.” (Ritchie, p 143)
At present I have been unable to identify the maker of my U.S.A. racer. (Unfortunately most of the transfer on the head tube has been obliterated). The badge could stand for almost anyone or anything (“Urban, Scarborough and Allard,” for all I know). Or, as Peter Jourdain suggests, It could be “cleverly coincidental,” an attempt to take advantage of pro-American sentiment. But I think a more plausible explanation is that this bike was named for the international cycling superstar, Major Taylor. As difficult as it may be to believe in 2021, France looked up to America in 1903. It is not a big leap, therefore, to imagine that in naming this bike the U.S.A., the maker sought to capitalize on Taylor’s fame, not unlike more modern bicycles with names like “Merckx,” “Coppi,” “LeMond,” “John Howard,” etc.
In addition to its name, one of the most distinctive features of this bike is the "key" on the rear hub, allowing rapid wheel removal.
Note the similarity between the "U.S.A." and the bicycle ridden to victory by Maurice Garin in the first Tour de France of 1903.
Source: Ritchie, Andrew. Major Taylor: The Fastest Bicycle Rider in the World. San Francisco: Van der Plas/Cycle Publishing, 2009.
1903-1910 French-Made "U.S.A." Tour de France Racer ©Daniel Dahlquist