Into The 20th Century
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The 1902 Star bicycle catalogue includes 11 models, with
many improvements and new features. Some of the models are
lighter and include Star's ball clutch
free-wheel, which is practically noiseless, frictionless,
and without a single delicate part. Bicycles using the
free-wheel require more effective braking and so Star now
include their new Bowden Back Wheel Band Brake, operated
from the handle bar. Some machines are fitted with the new
chain wheel and crank attachment and the model "C" Gent's
machine includes fancy steel chain wheels and ½in. pitch
chains, at no extra cost. |
| The model "A" Star
Roadster. Courtesy of David Evans. |
|
The model "A" Roadster is built around a frame made of
best weldless steel tube with reinforced joints, a full box
crown and plated fork ends. The machine is fitted with the
patent Star steering lock, 28" wheels and the Star ball
clutch free-wheel. There are two brakes, a front wheel rim
brake and the rear wheel Star Bowden band brake. The machine
weighs between 29 and 32lbs. depending upon the
specification, and sold for £21.10s. |
| The model "A" Lady's Star is built around a frame made
of best weldless steel tube with reinforced joints, a full
box crown and plated fork ends. The machine is fitted with
the patent Star steering lock, 28" wheels and the Star ball
clutch free-wheel. There are two brakes, a front wheel rim
brake and the rear wheel Star Bowden band brake. The machine
is fitted with a Dover or "Presto" celluloid gear case, a
corded dress guard, and weighs 32lbs. The selling price was
£22.10s. |
The model "A" Lady's Star. Courtesy of
David Evans. |
|
The model "B" Star Roadster. Courtesy
of David Evans. |
The model "B" Star Roadster has front forks and a back
frame built from duplex tubing. It has reinforced joints, a
box crown and is fitted with the patent Star steering lock.
The wheels are 28" in diameter and the machine is fitted
with the Star ball clutch free-wheel, a front wheel rim
brake and the rear wheel Star Bowden band brake. The bicycle
weighs between 30 and 32lbs depending upon specification and
sold for £17.10s. |
| The model "B" Lady's Star has a frame built from best
weldless steel tubing with reinforced joints, a box crown,
and is fitted with the patent Star steering lock. The wheels
are 28" in diameter and the machine includes a Star ball
clutch free-wheel, a front wheel rim brake and the rear
wheel Star Bowden band brake. It has a "Presto" metal gear
case and a corded dress guard. The bicycle weighs
33lbs and sold for £18.10s. |
The model "B" Lady's Star. Courtesy of
David Evans. |
|
The model "C" Star Roadster. Courtesy
of David Evans. |
The model "C" Star Roadster has a frame built from best
weldless steel tubing with reinforced joints, a box crown,
'D' tube back frame with bridge and 'D' front forks. The
wheels are 28" in diameter and the machine is fitted with
detachable mud guards. It has a Brampton chain, a good
quality saddle, and a tool bag. The bicycle is fitted with
Warwick or Clipper tyres, Westwood rims, and weighs 30lbs.
Selling price was £14.10s. |
| The model "C" Star Road Racer has a frame built from
best weldless steel tubing with reinforced joints, a box
crown, 'D' tube back frame with bridge and 'D' front forks.
The wheels are 28" in diameter and the machine is fitted
with a Brampton chain, rat-trap pedals, a good quality
saddle, and a tool bag. The bicycle comes complete with
Warwick or Clipper tyres, Westwood rims, and weighs 30lbs.
Selling price was £14.10s. |
|
The model "C" Star
Road Racer. Courtesy of David
Evans. |
|
|
The model "C" Lady's Star. Courtesy of
David Evans. |
The model "C" Lady's Star has a frame built from best
weldless steel tubing with reinforced joints, a box crown,
'D' tube back frame with bridge and 'D' front forks. The
front wheel is 28" in diameter and the rear wheel 26" in
diameter. There is a leather or metal gear case with
celluloid panels, a corded dress guard, rubber pedals, a
good quality saddle, and a tool bag. The bicycle comes
complete with Warwick or Clipper tyres, Westwood rims, and
weighs 32lbs. Selling price was £15. |
| The model "D" Star Road Racer is built
around a frame made of best weldless steel tube with
reinforced joints, a full box crown, oval back frame and
front forks. The machine is fitted with the patent Star
steering lock, 28" or 26" wheels and a Brampton's best
roller chain. It has rat-trap pedals, a high class saddle
and tool bag, and weighs 24lbs. The bicycle comes complete
with Dunlop tyres, and the 26" wheel version is fitted with
Westwood rims. Selling price was £16.10s. |
| The model "D" Star
Road Racer. Courtesy of David Evans. |
|
|
The model "E" Star. Courtesy of David
Evans. |
The model "E" Star is built around a best
weldless steel tube frame with reinforced joints, full box
crown, oval back frame and front forks. It is fitted with
the patent Star steering lock, 28" wheels, the Star ball
clutch free-wheel, a front wheel rim brake and the rear
wheel Star Bowden band brake. It has a Brampton's best
roller chain, rat-trap pedals, a high class saddle and tool
bag, and weighs 34lbs. The bicycle comes complete with
Dunlop tyres, Westwood rims and sold for £23.10s. |
| The Youth's Star is available in three
sizes: 1. 17"
frame, 22" wheels, price £11.
2. 18" frame, 24"
wheels, price £12.
3. 20" frame, 26"
wheels, price £13.
They are fitted with Clipper tyres and solid rims.
Dunlop tyres were extra. |
The Youth's Star. Courtesy of
David Evans. |
|
The Girl's Star. Courtesy of
David Evans. |
The Girl's Star is available in
three sizes:
1. 16.5" frame,
22" wheels, price £11.10s.
2. 17.5" frame,
24" wheels, price £12.10s.
3. 18.5" frame,
26" wheels, price £13.10s. This version is also
available with a free-wheel and back pedal band
brake and sold for £15.
All versions include a leather gear case with a
celluloid panel, corded dress guard, Clipper tyres
and solid rims. Dunlop tyres were 20s. extra. |
Courtesy of David Evans.
Courtesy of David Evans.
| The 1903 catalogue includes just 9 models;
the model "E" and the model "C" Road Racer are
no longer listed. All models are dramatically
reduced in price, for instance the model "C"
Lady's Star was reduced from £15 to £8.15s. For
the first time a credit or exchange price is
also quoted for each machine, presumably the
price changes were made because of increased
competition due to the falling demand at the
time. In 1903 Star introduced their bicycle
trailers; the "Tradesman's Carrier" and the
"Trailing Carriage", maybe as a response to
Sunbeam's "Ricksha" cycle trailer that was
launched at the end of 1901. The Star
"Micrometer" free-wheel now replaced the Star
ball clutch free-wheel and the Coaster Hub was
available as an alternative to the Star
free-wheel and the Bowden band brake. |
| The Star Tradesman's Carrier is a covered
bicycle trailer that is designed for the use of
tradesmen when making calls or deliveries. It
consists of a wooden box that is fitted with a
zinc lid, lid chain and lock. Extras include a
zinc lining to suit butchers, fish and poultry
dealers, or dairymen, and gold lettering of the
customer's choice. It is fitted with black
rims and best quality cushion tyres, and sold
for £8.10s. |
Courtesy of David Evans. |
|
Courtesy of David Evans. |
The Star Trailing Carriage consists of a
best wicker seat, complete with a comfortable
cushion. The 26 inch wheels are plated and
fitted with Clipper or Scott's tyres. It
originally sold for £9.00. |
Courtesy of David Evans.
Courtesy of David Evans.
Courtesy of David Evans.
The 1904 catalogue.
Courtesy of David Evans. |
The 1904 machines were much the same as in
1903 except for the introduction of two top of
the range "La Grande" models, a model "B" Road
Racer and a model "D" Lady's bicycle. The
company's first motorcycle was also listed in
the 1904 catalogue, which notes that at the time
Star were producing higher numbers of machines
than ever before, which is strange because of
the still falling sales. Some of the selling
prices were again drastically reduced and credit
or exchange prices were again quoted. The
machines were now extremely good value for
money. |
| The "La Grande" Gent's model is built around
a frame made of best weldless steel tube with
reinforced joints, a full box crown, oval back
frame and front forks. The machine is fitted
with 28" wheels and the Hyde free-wheel and two
speed gear. The front and rear rim brakes are
operated by inverted levers on the handle bar.
The machine is lined in burnished gold and is
fitted with Dunlop tyres and Roman rims. It
weighs 29lbs. and sold for £15.15s. |
The "La Grande" Gent's
model. Courtesy of David Evans. |
|
The "La Grande" Lady's
model. Courtesy of David Evans. |
The "La Grande" Lady's model is built around
a frame made of best weldless steel tube with
reinforced joints, box crown, oval back frame
and front forks. It is fitted with 28" wheels, a
Hyde free-wheel and two speed gear, a Dover or
metal and celluloid gear case, and a corded
dress guard. The front and rear rim brakes are
operated by inverted levers on the handle bar.
The machine is lined in burnished gold and is
fitted with Dunlop tyres and Roman rims. It
weighs 30lbs. and sold for £16.16s. |
| The model "B" Road Racer is built around a
frame made of best weldless steel tube with
reinforced joints, box crown, oval back frame
and front forks. It is fitted with a steering
lock, 26" or 28" wheels, toughened steel cranks,
Brampton's roller chain, and rat-trap pedals.
The machine weighs 24½lbs.
with 26" wheels and sold for £10. |
The model "B" Road Racer.
Courtesy of David Evans. |
|
The model "D" Lady's Star.
Courtesy of David Evans. |
The model "D" lady's Star is built around a
frame made of best weldless steel tube with
reinforced joints, "D" tube back frame with
bridge, "D" forks and box crown. It is fitted
with a steering lock, 28" wheels, a free-wheel
consisting of a New Departure Coasting Hub, and
a front wheel rim brake. It has a Brampton's
roller chain, a leather and celluloid gear case
and a corded dress guard. The machine weighs 31½lbs.
and sold for £8.15s. |
| 1905 saw the introduction of an even cheaper
machine, the Special Model "D" Gent's Roadster.
It sold for £6.15s. which was extremely good
value for money considering that it includes a
ball bearing ratchet free-wheel, and front and
rear rim brakes. The machine is built to the
usual high Star standard and is fitted with a
Brampton's roller chain, a steering lock, and
Scott's or Cambridge tyres. It weighs in at
30lbs. |
The Special Model "D".
Courtesy of David Evans. |
|
The following is from a magazine
article written in 1905:
The Star Cycle Co., Ltd.,
Wolverhampton. Four grades of Stars are being offered for the
1905 season. For those whose purses will run to the highest grade there
is, first of all, La Grande Star at £15.15s. The machine has a "noble"
appearance, being lined in burnished gold. The equipment includes a
ball-bearing free-wheel and also a two speed gear if desired. A new
departure is to be seen in the brakes, which, instead of inverted
levers, are now operated by a neat arrangement of revolving levers on
the handlebar. The rear rim brake is also placed high up, and supported
from the back forks, instead of from the chain stays.
The Model A at £12 12s. is another excellent Star' production,
possessing
many of the features of its more expensive prototype. An
option is given in this machine of having a New Departure hub and
a front-rim brake only in place of the usual two rim
brakes, a choice which is also extended to purchasers of the Star
Model B; which at £10 10s. has earned a wide reputation.
The inverted lever brakes are retained on this
machine, which is fitted with Dunlop tyres and Westwood plated rims. In
order to keep up with the times the Star Co' are
also now turning out a machine known as Model C at £8 8s. - an
astonishingly cheap machine having regard to its
general finish and equipment. The weight comes out at about 30lb., with
a choice between Warwicks and Clippers. The range of Stars also includes
a couple of well designed juveniles - one for
girls and one for boys - which may be recommended to those
who have Xmas presents in mind and are undecided what to purchase for
their offsprings; - the prices are very moderate.
|
|
|
Courtesy of Jim Boulton. |
In 1905 a deep
depression started in the bicycle trade with strong
competition from German and American imports. Sales were
also lost to the new motorcycle and car producers.
At the 1905 A.G.M.
there was talk of price cutting and depot losses and the
trade press reported that in order to hold its own, Star had
been forced to pursue foreign sales with renewed vigour. In
that year the company exported 106 machines to Japan.
|
| In 1906 Star began to fit their own two-speed hubs,
which were produced by Star's subsidiary, the Stuart Hub
Company. They were initially used on the model "A" and
model "B" two speed lady's and gent's machines. The top
of the range "La Grande" model was discontinued. |
| The model "A" Gent's Two Speed machine is built
around a frame made of best weldless steel tube with
reinforced joints, box crown, oval back frame and front
forks. It is fitted with a steering lock, 28" wheels,
ball bearing free-wheel and two speed gear, front and
rear rim brakes, Brooks' saddle, and Brampton's chain.
The metal parts are green enamelled and lined in
burnished gold. The machine weighs 31lbs.
and sold for £12.12s. |
Model "A" Gent's 2 Speed. Courtesy
of David Evans. |
|
Model "A" Lady's 2 Speed. Courtesy
of David Evans. |
The model "A" Lady's Two Speed machine is built
around a frame made of best weldless steel tube with
reinforced joints, box crown, oval back frame and front
forks. It is fitted with a steering lock, 28" wheels,
ball bearing free-wheel and two speed gear, front and
rear rim brakes, gear case, Brooks' saddle, and
Brampton's chain. The metal parts are green enamelled
and lined in burnished gold. The machine weighs 32½lbs.
and sold for £12.12s. |
| Brian Rollings' excellent
model "B" Lady's Star from 1906, as seen at the 2001
Star Rally, at the Black Country Living Museum, Dudley. |
 |
| Sales were still not good and the
1906 A.G.M. was another sad occasion. In order to reduce
losses the decision was taken to introduce the cheap
‘Starling’ car that would sell through cycle agents for
£110. This was the first year that the shareholders
received no dividend. |
| The 1907
catalogue. Courtesy of David Evans. |
|
Things slightly improved in 1907
when the company made a modest profit of £5,000, but
demand for cycles continued to fall.
The Stuart two speed hub was now
replaced by the Stanley Two Speed Hub and the top of the
range model "A" features the Stanley Three Speed Hub.
The Stanley Two Speed Hub.
Courtesy of David Evans. |
|
Model "A" Gent's 3 Speed. Courtesy
of David Evans. |
The model "A" Gent's Three Speed machine is built
around a frame made of best weldless steel tube with
reinforced joints, box crown, oval back frame and front
forks. It is fitted with a steering lock, 28" wheels, 3
speed hub with ball bearing ratchet free-wheel, front
and rear rim brakes, gear case, Brampton's chain. The
metal parts are green or chocolate enamelled and lined
in burnished gold. The machine weighs 32lbs.
and sold for £12.12s. |
| The model "A" Lady's Three Speed machine is built
around a frame made of best weldless steel tube with
reinforced joints, box crown, oval back frame and front
forks. It is fitted with a steering lock, 28" wheels, 3
speed hub with ball bearing ratchet free-wheel, front
and rear rim brakes, gear case, Brampton's chain. The
metal parts are green or chocolate enamelled and lined
in burnished gold. The machine weighs 32lbs.
and sold for £12.12s. |
Model "A" Lady's 3 Speed. Courtesy
of David Evans. |
The Stanley Three Speed Hub. Courtesy of David
Evans.
| In 1909 the Star Cycle Company Limited became the Star Cycle Company. The background to the change is
as follows: In 1902 the Star Motor Company changed its
name to The Star Engineering Company. In January 1909 an
Extraordinary General Meeting was held at the Star and
Garter Hotel during which the decision was taken to
change the Star Engineering Company into a limited
liability company. The newly formed Star Engineering
Company Limited now took over the Star Cycle Company
Limited and at the same time formed a new subsidiary
company; The Star Cycle Company. After these sweeping
changes bicycle manufacturing appears to have continued
much as before. |
| The 1912
catalogue. Courtesy of David Evans. |
|
The 1912 catalogue contains several new models.
The top of the range models are now the "Modèle
De Luxe" Light Roadster and the "Modèle
De Luxe" Lady's, both of which sold for a modest
£12.12s. which shows just how much prices had
fallen. There are also the "Superbe" machines; the
Star "Superbe" Roadster and the "Superbe" Lady's,
which sold for £6.10s. and £6.15s. respectively.
Another new addition was the all weather and road
conditions machine, the "Special R.I.C. Star" that
sold for £8 and the similar "All Weather" model that
sold for £8.10s. A final addition is the
"Tradesman's Star" that was designed for people such
as butchers who made house to house deliveries. The
machine sold for £8. |
| The "Modèle
De Luxe" Light Roadster has a frame that's built
from specially selected butted steel tubing, and 28"
wheels with Roman rims, and Dunlop or Palmer tyres.
It is fitted with a three speed hub, a Renold chain
and a Star detachable oil bath. It has a Brooks'
saddle with plated springs and is finished with four
coats of black or green enamel and lined with 22ct.
gold leaf. All bright parts are heavily plated on
copper. The machine sold for £12.12s. |
| The "Modèle
De Luxe" Light Roadster. Courtesy of
David Evans. |
|
| The "Modèle
De Luxe" Lady's machine. Courtesy of
David Evans. |
|
The "Modèle
De Luxe" Lady's machine has a frame that's built
from specially selected butted steel tubing, and 28"
wheels with Roman rims, and Dunlop or Palmer tyres.
It is fitted with a three speed hub, a Renold chain
and a Star detachable oil bath. It has a Brooks'
saddle with plated springs and is finished with four
coats of black or green enamel and lined with 22ct.
gold leaf. All bright parts are heavily plated on
copper. The machine sold for £12.12s. |
The Star "Superbe" Roadster has a frame that's
built from specially selected butted steel tubing,
and 28" wheels with plated rims, and Dunlop tyres.
It is fitted with a Star ball bearing free-wheel and
is finished with 3 coats of brilliant black enamel
and lined out with gold bronze or coloured panelled
lining. All bright parts are plated. The following
versions
| were
available: |
Single speed,
£8.8s.
Coaster Hub, £8.15s.
Two-Speed Gear, £9. |
|
The Star "Superbe" Roadster.
Courtesy of David Evans. |
|
The Star "Superbe" Lady's.
Courtesy of David Evans. |
The Star "Superbe" Lady's has a frame that's
built from specially selected butted steel
tubing, and 28" wheels with plated rims, and
Dunlop tyres. It is fitted with a Star ball
bearing free-wheel and is finished with 3 coats
of brilliant black enamel and lined out with
gold bronze or coloured panelled lining. All
bright parts are plated. The following versions
| were
available: |
Single
speed, £8.8s.
Coaster Hub, £8.15s.
Two-Speed Gear, £9. |
|
| The Special "R.I.C." Star has a frame that's
built of the best selected weldless steel tubing
with reinforced joints, a double top tube and
bridged stays. It has 28" wheels, plated rims and
Dunlop tyres. The machine is fitted with the Star
ball bearing free-wheel, two Bowden or roller brakes
and is finished with 3 coats of brilliant black
enamel, and lined in gold bronze or two colours. The
machine, complete with lamp and bell sold for £8. |
The Special "R.I.C." Star.
Courtesy of David Evans. |
|
The "All Weather" model. Courtesy
of David Evans. |
The "All Weather" Star has a frame that's built of
the best selected weldless steel tubing with reinforced
joints, and has 28" wheels with Roman rims and Dunlop
tyres. The bicycle is fitted with the Star ball bearing
free-wheel and a ½in.
roller chain. It is finished with 3 coats of
brilliant black enamel and lined in gold. The machine
comes complete with a Star Oil Bath gear case and sold
for £8.10s. |
| The Tradesman's Star has a frame that's built of the
best extra gauge weldless steel tubing, greatly
strengthened with strong liners at every joint. It has
28" wheels with Warwick tyres and is fitted with the
Star ball bearing free-wheel and a
roller chain. It is
finished with 3 coats of brilliant black, green or red
enamel and comes complete with a nameplate, carrier and
basket. The machine sold for £8. |
The Tradesman's Star. Courtesy of
David Evans. |
The 1915 catalogue. Courtesy
of David Evans. |
From 1912 until 1915 the range of models
remained unchanged as did the prices. Cycle
production ended in about 1915 when Mr. Harry Jones,
who had been a foreman frame builder at Star took
over the designs and started to produce his own
machines. He started building cycles at works in
Church Lane under the name of Mount Cycles, and by
1925 had moved to premises in Cleveland Street. He
built machines and frames to special order for
specialised cycle makers. Mount Cycles stayed in
business for many years, and is listed in the 1951
Wolverhampton Red Book, but not in the 1956, or
subsequent editions. It seems that the business
closed sometime between 1951 and 1956. |
I would like to thank David Evans, the Secretary and Registrar of
the Star, Starling, Stuart & Briton Register, for his invaluable help in
producing this company history.
 |
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