Roadster (bicycle)

A roadster bicycle, is a type of utility bicycle once common worldwide and still very common in Asia, Africa, some parts of Europe, and Latin America. During the past several years, traditionally styled roadster bicycles have gained considerable popularity throughout the Western world, particularly as a lifestyle or fashion statement in an urban environment.

Nowadays they are generally suitable for city cycling and they focus more on comfort and practicality instead of speed or efficiency. They normally have a slightly curved, roughly planar aligned and elevated handlebar, providing users a straight sitting position. They have fewer gears and they often are heavier than road bicycles, and by default they have a rear rack for transport of items. The saddle is typically larger compared with other bicycles and the majority are provided with chain and mud guards against oil or dirt.

There were three basic variants of the roadster.

The classic gents' roadster, AKA the English roadster, has a lugged brazed steel diamond frame, rod-actuated brakes and of late, cable operated drum brake systems have been widely produced for the European market, upright North Road handlebars, a single gear ratio or Sturmey-Archer 3- or 5 speed hub gears, a chaincase, steel mudguards, cottered steel cranks, 28 x 1½ inch (ISO 635) wheels, Westwood rims, and often a Sturmey-Archer hub dynamo. Roadsters are built for durability above all else and no serious attempt is made to save weight in their design or construction, roadsters weighed upwards of 45-50 pounds (20–23 kg). They were often the mounts of policemen and rural letter carriers. Interestingly, a derivative of the roadster, the ladies' model, is seldom called a roadster.

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