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Bicycle Makers, Carlton

Carlton Cycles: A Timeline of Britain’s Overlooked Lightweight Marque

Carlton Cycles, founded in Carlton, England in 1896, built wide-tired roadsters before a mid-1930s pivot toward racing and club machines gave rise to one of Britain's most respected, if still under-recognized, lightweight marques. This timeline traces its rise under the O'Donovan family through a 1960 acquisition by Raleigh to its eventual wind-down.

Eric Anschutz
July 4, 2026

Bicycle Makers, Raleigh

Raleigh for the Masses: A Timeline of a Bicycle Giant’s Evolution

Among the most recognized bicycle brands in the world, the Raleigh Cycle Company traces its roots to a twelve-person workshop in Nottingham, England producing three bicycles a week. This timeline follows its rise to the world's largest bicycle manufacturer and its long path through gearing innovation, wartime production, folding bikes and mountain bikes to a 2012 sale to Accell Group.

Eric Anschutz
July 4, 2026

Bicycle Makers, Carlton

Carlton Cycles: Foundation for Greatness

1962 Carlton Catalog Colour Finishes Narrow

Carlton Cycles is one of the most deserving bicycle companies to be better known than it is. While revered by its cliquish followers and well-known among enthusiasts of fine road bikes, a mention of Carlton to any member of the general…

Richard Risemberg
February 11, 2018
15 Comments

Bicycle Makers, Raleigh

Raleigh for the Masses: Evolution of a Bicycle Giant

My first trip to a real bike shop resulted in the purchase of a brand new Raleigh. I distinctly remember straddling the bike in the shop, tilting from side to side as my toes reached for the ground but the…

Susan Earle
November 28, 2005
21 Comments