when did the 1" headset become standard?

Posted on Sun 11th, March 2012

• #1

fly

I was just wondering, purely out of interest, when it was decided between frame manufacturers that a 1" headset would become the standard?

Cheers for any info!
• #2

pipwish

Ask these guys
• #3

DFP

I bet it has something to do with BSA motorcycles, always does.
• #4

fly

hmm, search a few obvious things and no luck. Good shout though!
• #5

pipwish

Check out Sheldon Brown Dot Com
• #6

fly

already checked, no info to speak of on their either mate
• #7

pipwish

So if the question is when did 1" become standard I guess we need to know was there a range of unstandardised diameters before that? Or did they just start by making a bicycle out of metal and pull a bit of pipe of the shelf that was already 1".
• #8

pipwish

So John Kemp Starley invented the safety bicycle in 1885.
Did it have a 1" headset?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Kemp_Starley
• #9

lae

^ I'll ask at Coventry transport museum. They have an 1888 Rover there, as well as a bunch of other pre-1900 bikes.
• #10

fly

Looks unlikely from the artwork on wiki. Thanks Lae!
• #11

Skülly

VCC are your friends.

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