In the 1950s Mead bicycles were sold strictly by mail-order. Through the years I have owned Mead Rangers built by Columbia, Monark Silver King, and most notably, by Schwinn. Mead bicycles typically lagged behind the name brand first-year models by a year or two. Apart from the head badge and graphics, the Mead Ranger pictured here is identical to the entry-level "lightweight" Schwinn New World. Fitted with a Sturmey-Archer alloy three speed hub, the bicycle was available with either the American "Messinger" or English-type mattress saddle. In as found condition, save for a recovered saddle and my addition of a pair of Seiss lamps with battery tube.

1954 Mead Ranger/Schwinn New World ©Daniel Dahlquist