Of course we all know that sex sells. Not for nothing are photos that highlight velocipedic lines and curves called "bike porn".
Some parts, and some types of frames, lend themselves particularly well to hints of eroticism. The classic handlebar stem (often referred to as a "gooseneck"), crank arms come to mind for me. And, during the late 1970's and early 1980's, it seemed that every other hub was made in an hourglass shape.
It seems, though, that some people thought hubs were sexy even before that time:
Now tell me...what do you make of a poster with a fadeout of a nude model--for a hub called Mussel-man?
Hey, it gets even better. Read this morsel from the penultimate paragraph of the copy:
These beautiful broad flanged hubs appeal to all riders who like to go places and do things in Olympic fashion. Their dazzling brilliance and rugged racy lines appeal to every boy who hears the call of the open road.
A siren call? I find it interesting that the first sentence is an appeal to "all riders" but the second is to "every boy".
With Mussel-man hubs, would he get the girl? Would I?
Some parts, and some types of frames, lend themselves particularly well to hints of eroticism. The classic handlebar stem (often referred to as a "gooseneck"), crank arms come to mind for me. And, during the late 1970's and early 1980's, it seemed that every other hub was made in an hourglass shape.
It seems, though, that some people thought hubs were sexy even before that time:
Now tell me...what do you make of a poster with a fadeout of a nude model--for a hub called Mussel-man?
Hey, it gets even better. Read this morsel from the penultimate paragraph of the copy:
These beautiful broad flanged hubs appeal to all riders who like to go places and do things in Olympic fashion. Their dazzling brilliance and rugged racy lines appeal to every boy who hears the call of the open road.
A siren call? I find it interesting that the first sentence is an appeal to "all riders" but the second is to "every boy".
With Mussel-man hubs, would he get the girl? Would I?
Yikes! Pretty racy advertising for the era. Do you know the publication in which it appeared? Can't say I've ever heard of Musselman hubs. Guess I should have paid more attention.
ReplyDeleteMT--I don't know where it would published. Given that there wasn't a magazine aimed at cyclists during the time Musselman hubs were made, I would guess that it was in Bicycle Dealer or some other trade magazine for retailers.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't find much information on Musselman. Apparently, they were used on Sears/J.C. Higgins bikes, as well as Murrays, Columbias and some other American bikes that weren't on Schwinn's level. From that, I would infer that they weren't as good as the coaster brake hubs Bendiz or, possibly even New Departure, made.
I guess Normandy would not have used such an ad because their hubs were FRENCH!
ReplyDeleteSteve--Not unless they titled it "Ooh la la"! Have a Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDelete