Double Bar Controversy

In my post on the bikes of Guangzhou I pointed out that many bikes had a double top bar. This is sometimes referred to as a "Pig Bar" because, allegedly it was designed to allow a pig to be carried to market.

I doubt this for several reasons.

1. In China, any weight carried on a bike is almost ALWAYS carried over the rear wheel, whether that be a passenger or a mountain of walnuts. Weight is NOT carried between the rider and the handlebar. This can be seen in the picture above.

2. If you were to put a pig or any other sizable cargo between the rider and handlebar the rider's knees would have no place to go. Pedaling would be impossible.

3. The double bar is probably not even a Chinese innovation. Take a look at the attached picture of this 1940's Hercules which I took in a Beijing Pawn Shop. Rudge made a similar bike and probably other European makes did as well. I'm guessing...and it is just a guess, that '40s British pig farmers probably preferred a lorry to a bicycle as a method of swine transport.

So why would you design a double bar? Because it strengthens the frame. Period. You can carry heavy loads, or just put it to heavy use and abuse on poor roads without worrying that the lugs will be shaken to bits. This is why this design is such a favorite among the delivery bikes of Guangzhou. It is strong and lasting. But a specific use such as "designed for carrying pigs to market" seems to be just mythology to me.

I would be interested in what other old bike aficionados have to say. Maybe someone knows better.

BTW: The double-bar Hercules is still made in India, albeit with side-pull brake rods, not center-pull.

Comments

[Tom]

The double bar, or Phillips style, bicycle goes way back, they were made prior to 1900. You are correct its purpose is to strengthen the bicycle. The middle bar turns the downtube into a triangular truss making it far stronger than a single tube.

Why the Chinese call it a "pig bar" I have no idea, it may just be a mistranlation, becaue in Chinese I understand the bicyce is actually "Flying Dove" not "Flying Pigeon", just to show how easy that kind of thing is. Or it may just indicate that it is a "Farm Bicycle" as opposed to a "City Bicycle".

[John Timbes]

I notice that the Pashley Sovereign is single-bar in the 20.5" and 22.5" models, double bar in the 24.5" model,probably to reinforce those longer tubes prone to flex and allow the bike to carry the extra weight of a taller person.
John

[mick]

lots of board track racers had double bars, with the gas tank designed to fit between them. industrial bicycle co. still makes double bar bikes, which are very sturdy and I think american built.

[Lalo]

I have seen one of these at a consignmnet shop near my house, I thought it had such a cool look to it and it is pretty tall which i like. They have it for 100$ is that a good deal? how much should these on average go for? It is single speed with interesting hand breaks.

[JS]

$100 is pretty cheap in the US. Usually they are about $300. But it all depends on if you want it.