Mariposa Bicycles Brochure (Undated) — Touring and Racing Mariposas, Tandems and the Warranty, from Bicyclesport, Toronto

The brochure of Mariposa bicycles, built in Toronto by Mike Barry, Mike Brown and their builders and sold through their shop, Bicyclesport: touring and racing models, tandems, materials and the warranty. No year is printed.

— Page 1 (front cover) —
MARIPOSA BICYCLES
MARIPOSA

[The cover of the Mariposa Bicycles brochure: a butterfly emblem above the title, a black-and-white picture of two cyclists on touring bicycles with panniers, and a diagonal MARIPOSA logotype, on a brown field inside a white frame.]

— Page 2 —
MARIPOSA

“Built to be the ultimate touring bicycle.” — Bicycling Magazine
“The Mariposa is a bike that lacks nothing…(it) would be the envy of many a tourist…” — Cycling

These comments are not the fatuous remarks of a Madison Avenue copywriter. They are actual quotes from two of the most prestigious English language cycling journals published today. The Mariposa builders had submitted one of their touring bikes to them for independent testing. The reports given by these magazines were lavish in their praise.

The truth is, the Mariposa is not just another bicycle. It’s just the opposite. They are designed to the highest possible specifications, and are built to the highest possible standards. In short, the makers believe that the Mariposa is one of the finest bicycles available today, unsurpassed by any other builder.

Mariposas in both touring and racing models have been available in limited quantity since 1970. From their very first frame, the builders have had only one goal, to provide the ultimate in engineering, construction, and value.

THE MARIPOSA OWNER

It takes a very special type of cyclist to appreciate “Mariposa Quality.”

In the past, Mariposas were bought by those who wanted an absolutely first-class bicycle. Most of these were very competent cyclists, whether tourists, racers, or both. But not all were skilled riders, and neither are all of today’s buyers. The experienced rider sees and understands the value of a Mariposa on examination. The less experienced cyclist may have to do more homework to appreciate the finer points of the machine.

However, whether experienced or not, if you are the type of person who understands and appreciates excellence, then you will appreciate a Mariposa bicycle.

[A page headed MARIPOSA and THE MARIPOSA OWNER with two columns of text, a butterfly drawing, a drawing of a racing cyclist and a black-and-white photograph of two men in club jerseys standing beside touring bicycles with handlebar bags.]

— Page 3 —
BUILT BY CYCLISTS

Mariposa design has evolved over a long period of time. They have been building bicycles since 1970. There are no gimmicks or fads. But their thinking represents the very latest in bicycle engineering, whilst remaining true to time-tested principles. Perhaps their belief that you cannot have integrity of design without quality of construction best sums up their credo.

You will not find a production line here in Toronto. Each bicycle is constructed and assembled by one of four most talented and dedicated builders. From the moment the first tube is withdrawn from the rack, that bicycle remains the special responsibility of a single person.

The two founders are Mike Barry and Mike Brown. They are committed cyclists, and they have been all of their lives. Both of them had extensive racing careers in Great Britain and Europe, Brown rising to international standard. Since retiring from serious competition, they have competed in cyclo-cross and long-distance endurance events. Their successful attempt on the Raid Pyreneen, an event which includes 18 mountain passes, and 450 miles in 76 hours, was reported by both “Cycling” and “Bicycling” magazines.

When demand for Mariposas increased and Barry and Brown were unable to keep up with it, two others were added to the building staff. Kerry Mews and Dave Phillips have been carefully trained in all aspects of bicycle building. Now their knowledge and experience is absolutely first class. Indeed, it may be said that there are no finer builders anywhere today.

In 1972 Barry and Brown established Bicyclesport, a retail store which has grown to be one of the most prominent in Canada. Through their involvement with the store and their daily contact with cyclists of all types, the partners have acquired a knowledge of customer requirements that is second to none. It is this rare combination of practical and riding experience, building know-how, and daily contact with cyclists that makes the four members of the staff such a superb team of builders. They know, understand, and appreciate the needs of cyclists.

BICYCLESPORT

MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS

Barry and Brown have an intense interest in bicycles and their components. They make a point of visiting all the major trade shows in North America and Europe to keep abreast of all the latest innovations. All new products are assessed as to their suitability, and nothing is chosen for inclusion into the specification of Mariposas unless it has proven its worth.

Reynolds 531 tubing is used almost exclusively, although in some cases another make of top-quality tubing will be used if its substitution is appropriate and the function or quality of the frame is enhanced by it.

All the frames are constructed in jigs, using low-temperature brazing techniques, including silver solder where appropriate.

All the frames are finished with DuPont Imron paint, which gives an excellent durable finish.

[A page headed BUILT BY CYCLISTS and MATERIALS AND COMPONENTS with columns of text, a BICYCLESPORT logotype in a rounded panel and three photographs: a builder brazing a frame joint, a frame in a building jig and a close view of frame tubes and a lug.]

— Page 4 —
MARIPOSA MODELS

Mariposas are available in models to suit every requirement. Mariposa Bicycles have made singles and tandems for competition, touring, and commuting. Separate leaflets are available describing each model.

Mariposas have been built with frames measuring as little as 12″, and as much as 32″.

Every bicycle has given great satisfaction to its owner. Please contact the staff if you have a special need.

Please note that whereas there are many differences between Mariposa models, there is absolutely no difference in quality. They are all designed and built to the highest possible standards.

TOURING MARIPOSAS

It is the designer’s belief that a Mariposa touring bicycle should be light and lively, yet comfortable and stable, whether ridden light, or loaded with a month’s camping gear.

All accessories are attached by brazed-on fittings. Carriers, mudguard stays, and handlebar-bag supports are all custom-made, and are all finished in the finest chrome plating.

RACING MARIPOSAS

Used at all levels and in all types of competition, Mariposa bikes continue to bring success and satisfaction to their owners.

Road-racing, criterium, track, time-trial, and cyclo-cross models are all available.

All normal brazed-on fittings are standard.

[Text sections headed MARIPOSA MODELS, TOURING MARIPOSAS and RACING MARIPOSAS beside two studio photographs of a touring bicycle with fenders and a racing bicycle, each with drop handlebars.]

— Page 5 —
TANDEMS

Tandems are the latest addition to the Mariposa range, and have quickly been recognized as being among the finest in the world.

Oversize Reynolds 531 double-butted tandem tubesets are used. Construction is lugless, making it possible to fit any combination of rider physiques.

Detail of tandem showing lugless construction and brazed-on pivots for Mafac “Raid” brakes.
Maxi-Car hubs are standard on tandems

THE MARIPOSA WARRANTY

Simply put, the Mariposa warranty states that every frame is guaranteed faultless during the time, however long, that it is owned by the original purchaser. Components and accessories are covered by individual guarantees supplied by their respective manufacturers.

Full details are available from the builders at the time of purchase.

[A page headed TANDEMS and THE MARIPOSA WARRANTY with two columns of text, a tandem bicycle photographed in a studio, two detail photographs of a tandem rear hub and front brake pivots, and tan drawings of a chainwheel and of a touring cyclist with panniers.]

— Page 6 (back cover) —
MARIPOSA

Shimano vertical ends are standard on touring models.
Brazed-on boss for Sanyo Dyna Power generator
Mariposa carrier with allen screw fittings
remote cable control for generator
cables can be run through tubes
Sanyo generator mounted to brazed- on fitting

BICYCLESPORT
179 King Street East, Toronto, Ontario, Canada (416) 363-0525

[illegible] [cut off]

[The back cover of the Mariposa brochure with six close photographs of frame details: Shimano vertical dropout ends, a brazed-on boss for a Sanyo Dyna Power generator, a Mariposa carrier with allen screw fittings, a remote cable control, cables run through tubes and a generator mounted to a brazed-on fitting. A BICYCLESPORT logotype in a dark rounded panel with a Toronto address sits at the foot, and a line of small type below the frame is cut off at the bottom edge of the scan.]