Comments on: Alvin Drysdale: Mid-Century Mystery

By: Moses lafountaine

Moses lafountaine — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 16:09:13 +0000

Just to start,my odyssey with Alvin D started in the late fourty’s and culminated with my finding when this site! More to come when time permits
Moses lafountaine.

By: James Creeron

James Creeron — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 22:44:23 +0000

I recently purchased a Drysdale Velox Ace fixed gear Track bike. It is in original condition with Beautiful wood wheels, smooth track tires that are still soft. A Wright leather saddle.Rat Trap pedals with toe clips. Rear brake that works. Very Light lugged frame. Must be from the ’20′s. has oil spouts for the hubs and the crank, Long adjustable stem for the handle bars. Black in color. Very good to Excellent cond. I would be Interested in selling. Contact me with your best offer. doa1911@tds.net Jim

By: Jeff Green

Jeff Green — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:36:22 +0000

One other thing. Though i have been digging around in my memory for other tidbits on Drysdale, and found none, I did trip over one other bit still plopping around in my skull.

The aforementioned Eddie Gage used to pose the question, “If you were going to buy an accessory for your bike, what would give you the greatest boost in speed?” His answer was always, “A new set of tires.” Gage was quite old (in his seventies) and still riding with us youngsters so he needed every advantage.

He used exclusively Pie tires (or maybe Pye) which he bought from the widow of the Pie who made them for indoor track racers in the 30′s. I think he said she still made them in her basement in NJ. I have often wondered how someone in a basement turned out 4 ounce tubular tires (I think they were 4 ounce) in a basement. They were all about 1.1″ diameter cross-section and had a bald rubber tread layer. A lot of Drysdale’s track bikes must have had them. Anyone out there know about the Pie operation…….probably another Alvin sort of fellow.

Gage said that the lightest tires Pie made were so delicate that if you had a blow out, they would disappear. They didn’t but we knew what he meant.

By: Larry

Larry — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 05:40:52 +0000

I am the proud owner of my Dad’s Drysdale. It is a road bike, in pretty good shape, with Campagnola drivetrain and Weinmann brakes. My father rode a lot in NYC as a young man. He thinks he got this custom made for him sometime in the early 50′s, does not recall how much it was. I’m close to Portland, OR. Would love to see some other ones out here.(I know about that beautiful track bike that was at Sellwood.)

By: morris

morris — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:45:18 +0000

I currently own a 1950′s era persuit bike made by Drysdale. I purchased it for 75 dollars back in 1971 by another bike builder in lower Manhattan by the name of Joe Cotton. After mastering the bike on the city streets of Lower manhattan, I continued to ride the bike for the next 37 years. At the age of 66, I continue to enjoy riding the bike and in fact feel safer on the machine than a road bike. I never drilled the fork to install a front brake and have carefully maintained the machine. It has been rebuilt twice over the years. Back in the early nineties, I sent it to Cycleart for a complete paint job and unfortunately had to give up what was left of the original decal. I know I have a treasure.

By: Jeffrey Green

Jeffrey Green — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 01:17:12 +0000

Tom (Drysdale) you can reach me on email jgreen@exigentventures.com or in summer at 207 825 3469
Sorry i hadnt checked this site in several months.

Are you a relative of Alvins?