Defiance Cycle Company
The Defiance Cycle Company was formed in 1880 to produce bicycles in Wales.[1] It was founded by two brothers of the Williams family, Arthur and William Williams who established the factory at the top of the Amman Valley.[2]
They started making ordinary bicycles in 1878,[1] and made their first chain-driven bicycle in late 1884 or 1885.[1]
On Easter Monday April 9th, 1885 a chain-driven Defiance Cycle was ridden from the factory at Glanamman to Swansea and back, a distance of some 35 miles.[1] Many people turned out to see this event, which is commemorated by riders tracing the ride route to Swansea.[3]
The company thrived through the 1880s and in 1895 opened a retail premises in Eloff Street, Johannesburg, South Africa. to sell bicycles exported from Wales.[4] Their manufacturer’s trademark changed to 'The Defiance Cycle Company of Glanaman & Johannesburg' to reflect this development.
They produced a motorcycle in 1901, but only for a short time.[1] Arthur Williams & Co. continued to sell bicycles until Arthur's death in 1948.[1]
Just three of these bicycles are known to be still in existence, one is in private ownership while the other two are in the museums of Birmingham and Carmarthen.[citation needed]
See also
References
External links
- Carmarthenshire County Museum
- The Defiance Cycle Ride
- Defiance cycle Ride Photos, including some of a Defiance Bike
<templatestyles src="Asbox/styles.css"></templatestyles>
 |
This article related to a bicycle manufacturing company is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
