Harry Quinn
Encyclopedia
Harry Quinn Cycles were a family owned high-end English bicycle
manufacturer located in Liverpool
, England
.
The business began in 1890 as Coronet Cycles, and Harry Quinn was the son of the founder. Initially, the company was based on Walton Road, Liverpool. Harry worked in the Walton Road premises for his Father, alongside his brothers and sisters. When Harry obtained the business, brothers Ronnie and Jack set up Quinn Bros Cycles in Edge Lane, Liverpool.
Harry was an influential figure in the British cycling scene, also training frame builders Terry Dolan and Billy Whitcomb in his Liverpool premises. After he lost sight in one eye, the business was sold to Frank Clements, brother of Ernie Clements
,
in 1977, with Harry kept on as Master Frame Builder. After Harry retired, Townsend and Falcon Cycles
were badged as Harry Quinn, but did not carry the Harry Quinn frame numbering system. Late on, when Harry re-acquired the Harry Quinn company with his son Peter, the business relocated to St Florence, Wales
. The company was wound up sometime in the 1990s.
Famous cyclists to have ridden competitively on Harry Quinn frames include John Atkins
, Alan Ramsbottom
, William Moore, Colin Sturgess, who won the world professional pursuit title on a Harry Quinn, Gordon Singleton, Graham Daniels, Phil Roberts, John Atkinson, Brian Pownall, Paul Sherwen and Bill Bradley, who won the Milk Race in 1959 on a Harry Quinn.
His hand-built bikes were known for their short wheelbase and steep angles, relative to other marques. Harry Quinn also designed bikes for Viking Cycles.
Harry Quinn died on 1 October 2009, aged 92.
Bicycle
A bicycle, also known as a bike, pushbike or cycle, is a human-powered, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A person who rides a bicycle is called a cyclist, or bicyclist....
manufacturer located in Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
The business began in 1890 as Coronet Cycles, and Harry Quinn was the son of the founder. Initially, the company was based on Walton Road, Liverpool. Harry worked in the Walton Road premises for his Father, alongside his brothers and sisters. When Harry obtained the business, brothers Ronnie and Jack set up Quinn Bros Cycles in Edge Lane, Liverpool.
Harry was an influential figure in the British cycling scene, also training frame builders Terry Dolan and Billy Whitcomb in his Liverpool premises. After he lost sight in one eye, the business was sold to Frank Clements, brother of Ernie Clements
Ernie Clements
Ernest J "Ernie" Clements was an English road racing cyclist, frame builder and cycle shop owner .- Biography :...
,
in 1977, with Harry kept on as Master Frame Builder. After Harry retired, Townsend and Falcon Cycles
Falcon Cycles
Falcon Cycles is an English bicycle manufacturer based in Brigg, North Lincolnshire. The company can trace its history back over 125 years.In addition to producing bikes under its own name, Falcon produces bicycles under several brand names including Falcon, British Eagle, Coventry Eagle, Townsend,...
were badged as Harry Quinn, but did not carry the Harry Quinn frame numbering system. Late on, when Harry re-acquired the Harry Quinn company with his son Peter, the business relocated to St Florence, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. The company was wound up sometime in the 1990s.
Famous cyclists to have ridden competitively on Harry Quinn frames include John Atkins
John Atkins (cyclist)
John Atkins , is a British former racing cyclist specialising in cyclo-cross, and 12 times national cyclo-cross champion. He was a professional cyclist between 1968 and 1979.-Biography:...
, Alan Ramsbottom
Alan Ramsbottom
Alan Ramsbottom was a professional racing cyclist from Clayton-le-Moors, England, who twice rode the Tour de France.-Amateur career:Ramsbottom was a talented amateur in Britain in the late 1950s...
, William Moore, Colin Sturgess, who won the world professional pursuit title on a Harry Quinn, Gordon Singleton, Graham Daniels, Phil Roberts, John Atkinson, Brian Pownall, Paul Sherwen and Bill Bradley, who won the Milk Race in 1959 on a Harry Quinn.
His hand-built bikes were known for their short wheelbase and steep angles, relative to other marques. Harry Quinn also designed bikes for Viking Cycles.
Harry Quinn died on 1 October 2009, aged 92.
See also
- List of bicycle manufacturing companies
- Raleigh Cycles - Biggest UK manufacture at one period.
External links
- classicrendezvous.com http://www.classicrendezvous.com/British_isles/Quinn_Harry_main.htm
- Harry Quinn brochure http://www.cyclemuseum.org.uk/ncl/pics/harry_quinn_catalogue_vcc_library.pdf"
- Mid-1970s Harry Quinn
