Before 1900 there were hundreds of companies in the United States producing bicycles. Between about 1900 and the mid-1920s the field narrowed considerably as companies like Schwinn and Westfield bought out other makers but carried their brands forward. While some of the companies listed here certainly predated balloon tire bicycles the following are the most prolific builders of balloon tire bicycles.

Following the story of each manufacturer is a list of some of the badges known on the bikes. These listings are only examples as some companies are known to have used hundreds of different badges. Distributors or retailers such as tire stores, department stores, hardware stores, or any number of retail establishments that sold bicycles many times had their own badges made. It is important to understand that the badge was merely a brand and not necessarily the manufacturer. For example the brand “Elgin” was used on bicycles Sears sold before World War II. Sears never made any of its own bicycles. Neither did Firestone, Goodyear, or B.F. Goodrich. In the case of the Elgin bicycles many were made by Westfield but some made by Monark and Murray as well. Colson, Monark, Cleveland Welding, and Schwinn made the bikes for the tire companies.

Schwinn

Generally accepted as introducing the balloon tire bicycle to America Schwinn is probably the most recognized bicycle manufacturer in the world. The company was formed in 1895 by Ignaz Schwinn, a German immigrant, and along with the financial backing of Adolf Arnold formed Arnold, Schwinn & Co. in 1895. At one time Schwinn was also one of the largest motorcycle manufacturers in the United States having acquired both Excelsior (1912) and Henderson (1917). Schwinn designed and built some of the most iconic balloon tire bikes to include the Aerocycle, Autocycle, and Phantom. Although the Schwinn name survives the bicycles are now made in China.

Badges: Schwinn, The World, LaSalle, Lincoln, American Beauty, Cadillac, Ace, Henderson, Excelsior, Mission, American Flyer, Chicago, Admiral, Liberty, and hundreds of store badges such as Beards (Evansville, IN), Lawlor’s (Lincoln, NE), and Tiger (G.W. Tiger & Sons–Colorado Springs, CO)

Cleveland Welding Company

The Cleveland Welding Company is generally referred to as “CWC” by collectors started producing bicycles in September of 1935 and are probably best known for their Roadmaster line of bicycles. The “Y” frame Roadmaster Supremes of 1937 (aka Bug Eye) and 1938 (aka Four Gill) are some of the rarest and most sought after balloon tire bikes. The Roadmaster Luxury Liner is probably the most well-known model from this company and the “Shockmaster” is arguably one of the smoothest riding spring forks ever made. CWC was sold to AMF in 1951 but the Roadmaster brand lives on although these bicycles are now made in China.

Badges: Roadmaster, Supreme, Packard, Hiawatha, Ridewell, Ben Hur, All American, Trojan, Pilot, Hawthorne, Trail Blazer, Speed King, Vim, Movie Ace, Fleetwing, Champion

Monark

The Monark Silver King Inc. started as a battery manufacturer and began producing bicycles in 1935. What sets Monark apart from other manufacturers was their use of aluminum in construction of their bicycles as well as using a 24” wheel size on these bikes. It should be noted that aluminum had been used in bicycle construction starting in the 1890s. Monark introduced its steel framed bikes in 1938 which included such models as the “Superframe” Five Bar. It is their aluminum bikes though such as the Flocycle, Wingbar, and 26X that most collectors covet. Postwar Monarks include the popular aluminum “Hextube” and the Super Deluxe models.

Badges: Monarks Silver King, Montgomery Ward, Hawthorne, DeVega, Reggie McNamara, Ace, Mahowald, Airman, Firestone

Shelby

The Shelby Cycle Co. of Shelby, OH was formed in 1925 from the remnants of the Shelby Cycle Frame Builders. The Shelby Airflos (Speedlines) are considered some of the most outlandish designs of the late 1930s and are some of the most sought after balloon tire bikes among collectors. In 1949 Shelby built the  Donald Duck bike featuring Donald Ducks head whose eyes were the lights. The company was sold briefly to Gambles in 1953 but within months sold to AMF. Badges: Shelby, Flying Cloud, Gambles, Hiawatha, Ideal, Safe-T-Bike, Speedway Special, Supreme, Fox, Western Flyer, Bird, Trojan, Eagle, Pirate

H.P. Snyder

The relationship between the H.P. Snyder Co. and the D.P. Harris Company is one of the more unusual arrangements in bicycle history. Sometime in the early 1900s a partnership was formed between Snyder and Harris whereby Snyder would build the bicycle and Harris distribute them. Harris was also a manufacturer of bicycle parts and ball bearings and its own product line was called Rollfast. Harris distributed the Snyder bikes under the Rollfast name as well as many others. Snyder built bikes were also sold through Montgomery Ward department stores. While Rollfast bikes were high quality machines their design was decidedly more conservative than a lot of their contemporaries. An exception would be the Hopalong Cassidy bikes complete with conchos, fringe, and a simulated horse hair saddle. The Rollfast name would continue until 1975 when the Snyder Co. finally closed and the relationship between Snyder and Harris was dissolved.

Badges: Rollfast, Roamer, Black Beauty, Ben Hur, Lexington, Peerless, Cadet, Athlete, Standard, Princeton, Yale, Harvard, Savage, Rex, Blue Ribbon, Keystone, Gold Medal, Hawthorne, Montgomery Ward, Overland, Winchester, Hopalong Cassidy

Westfield

The Westfield Manufacturing Co. of Westfield, MA has origins dating back to 1877 with the founding of the Pope Manufacturing Co. Many brands were manufactured under Westfield but their in-house brand was Columbia. Westfield bought many bicycle companies such as Miami who made the Flying Merkel, and Racycle among others. Some of the most desirable balloon tire bikes ever made were produced by Westfield for Sears under the Elgin brand to include the Bluebird, Skylark, and Robin. Westfield was also the primary contractor for making bicycles for Hendee/Indian Motocycle Co. until World War II. The company enjoyed postwar success but like other American companies succumbed to imports and production cost and ceased operations in 1987.

Badges: Columbia, Westfield, Elgin, Corsair, Seminole, Indian, Viking, Tribune, Derby, Fleetwing, Imperial, Crescent, Flying Merkel, Racycle, Sterling, Stormer, Rambler, Waverly

Iver Johnson

Initially formed as Johnson and Bye & Co. in 1871 in Worchester, MA the company was renamed Iver Johnson’s Arms and Cycles Works when it was moved to Fitchburg, MA in 1891. Iver Johnson bicycles were typically high grade machines and manufactured most of the parts for their bicycles rather than relying on other manufacturers. The Super Mobike featured stainless fenders, an octagonal battery tank, a unique crank assembly, and a hornlight. Iver Johnson ceased bicycle production in 1941.

Badge: Iver Johnson

Huffman Manufacturing/Huffy

The Huffman Manufacturing Company began producing bicycles in 1934 in Dayton, OH. While its initial offerings were rather plain by 1936 the company introduced some exceedingly stylish bikes such as the Safety Streamline followed by the Super Streamline bicycles. In 1938 Huffman introduced the “Twin Flex” which was a full suspension bike (front and rear springs). The 1940/1 Champion and Mainliner lines are also very popular with collectors. Huffman was one of two manufacturers to produce bikes for the war effort (Westfield was the other) and these military models are highly sought after. The company changed its name to Huffy in 1977 but the bicycles had been branded as Huffy since 1953. Although the Huffy brand still exists all production is in China.

Badges: Huffman, Huffy, Dayton, National, LaFrance, Dixie Flyer, Airflyte, National, Snell, Davis flyer, Chieftan, Indian, Belknap, Firestone, Everbest

Colson Corporation

The Colson Corporation was located in Elyria, OH and manufactured bicycles form 1917 to 1953. In 1954 the Evans Products Company bought the bicycle division from Colson and Evans-Colson bicycles were sold until 1962. Some of the more interesting bicycles produced were the Hi-Lo which contained a rudimentary two speed transmission in the crank hanger and was shifted by a shifter mounted to the frame. Colson produced some of the most outrageous paint schemes in the 1930s on its top-of-the-line Commanders and Imperials. Colson used a suspension consisting of rubber cushion(s) on some of its top models. Colson produced models for both Goodyear and Firestone including exclusive designs such as the Double Eagle (aka Clipper) for Goodyear and the Super Cruiser (aka Bull Nose) for Firestone.

Badges: Colson, Scout, Vogue (girls models), Double Eagle and Double Eagle Deluxe (Goodyear), Firestone Cruiser and Super Cruiser, Wings, Rover, Packard, Pilot, Flying Ace, Olympic, Champion, Lincoln

Murray Ohio Co.

The Murray Ohio Manufacturing Company was formed in 1919 in Cleveland, OH. Initially the company made automobile parts but by the mid-1930s was producing bicycles, primarily, for Sears. In 1939 Murray introduced the Pacemaker at the World’s Fair held in New York. The bicycle was designed by famed industrial artist and designer Viktor Schreckengost. Murray continued to produce bicycles after the war for Sears and others with such notable muscle bikes as the Eliminator and Wildcat. In the late 1980s Murray was sold to a British investment company and by 1999 bicycle production ceased.

Badges: Murray, Mercury, Elgin, Western Flyer, PENCO, J.C. Higgins, Sears

Manton-Smith

Manton and Smith was a Chicago, IL ornamental iron company that started building bike frames for other companies in the early 20’s. From about 1936 to 1953 the company manufactured its own line of bicycles. Among the more interesting features found on some Manton Smiths is the fork lock brazed to the head tube. Manton Smith also employed a unique spring fork. The prewar “Golden Zephyr” was perhaps their finest model.  Like other bikes of the time they were sold through distributors and retailers and a variety of head badges can be found on these bikes although they are fairly obscure.

Badges: Manton-Smith, Gold Eagle Pacer, Gold Eagle Bike-Lok, Gold Eagle Special, Silver Shield (Western Tire and Auto), Seneca, Ranger