Identifying CCM Columbia Child's Bicycle

Submitted by Yauser on Fri, 05/27/2016 - 16:36

Picked up this neat child's bicycle last week. Has head badge with CCM, Columbia and Weston on it. But can't seem to find another online.  The fact that it's "made" in Weston, it's probably not earlier than 1917.

It has solid rubber tires, no serial number, single hand brake, fenders with "Little Giants" emblem on it. The closest to it online is a Colson Fairy child's bike from the 1920s. https://oldbike.wordpress.com/1920-colson-childs-fairy-bicycle/

I also noticed that it has a little cap with "Abingdon Works Ltd" on it which I think it's a British motorcycle parts company. 

Please see pics below for details, more available.

Appreciate any info about the bike, probably from the 20-30's but haven't seen any other online. 

3 Comments

Submitted by JCCMCGREGOR on Fri, 05/27/2016 - 17:56.

Hello Yauser Cool " Little Giant" sidewalk bike,most likely a UK model,I am thinking 1945-55?Any sign of a previous front decal?Not totally sure if CCM ever used any of the other CCM Family badges on kiddy rides?Hard to tell but the badge seems to fit alright, seat looks a little later,the fender stays look UK as well maybe the badge was a personal add on to give this bike some Canuck Class,I am sure the correct answer is not far away.Best Regards Jamie          Gentle Reminder   CVBS15 2016 is now less than 30 days away Sunday June 26

Submitted by jdwillia on Fri, 05/27/2016 - 20:58.

It looks like a CCM "Cyclet" which is shown in the 1940 CCM catalogue. They may have been available prior to 1940.

John Williamson

Submitted by T-Mar on Sat, 05/28/2016 - 09:09.

Yes, it a Cyclet, also known as as a Joycyclet in some of the early lliterature. These were manufactured from at least 1926 though 1941 inclusive. They could go back earlier but almost certainly no earlier than 1922, when CCM introduced the Joycycle tricycle. It wouldn't appear to be post war, as it is not listed in any of my 1950s catalogues and CCM appears to have eliminated all the premium brands, incljuding Columbia, in 1942, when they consolidated under the CCM brand. There was a post war Cyclet, introduced in the late 1950s, but it used a traditional frame style with larger 18" wheels. 

There were several Cyclet design changes over the years that could narrow down the date range but this has been complicated by an apparent  repaint and use of replacement parts. Initially, I thought we could eliminate pre 1934 due to the chrome plating on the hand brake but this appears to be a replacement, along with the front fender. The CCM catalogues and all the Cyclets I've seen in person used a spoon brake that operated on the front tyre, as opposed to a stirrup brake, which operates on the rim. This necessitated the use of an abbreviated front fender that did not protrude forward from the fork. However, the crankset is probably OEM, and if the owner can determine if it is nickel or chromium plated, then we can narrow down the range somewhat and proceed from there. 

The one notable absence from this Cyclet is the rear wheel mounted stand.