THE ORIGINAL ROI DE VELO
Descriped as a path “Iron” and “King of Cyles” this was intedned as a fast road bike. There was also a track version – the ‘Middlelsbro Velo‘. Built with either Reynolds HM or 531 tubing.
Possible 1930’s Roi De Velo. Note: Seat Lug and stay attachment look pre-war, but the head set seems to be post war. Also head lugs look too fancy for pre-war.
THE RIO DE VELO 1953
1953 Catalogue The Roi De Velo made a return in 1953 for one year only with the same intentions as the original pre-war version. (No mension of the Middlelsbro Velo)
Possible 1950’s Roi De Velo. Note: Post war seat lug and stay attachment, but pre-war head set cups & lugs look far more plain than the pre-war example above.
There is only the owners description to confirm if these are both genuine Roi De Velo’s, no way to confirm without seeing them and checking the details.
Model Recognition Table – No details on 1953 version except rear dropouts
| Frame Number System & Location (Repeated on fork Steerer Tube) | Pre-War, On Seat Lug & Rear of Fork Crown (Steerer Later) |
| Frame Tubing (Seat Tube ID – mm) | Pre-War, Reynolds 531 or HM |
| Frame Angles, Head/Seat, (deg) | Pre-War, “Rio 1938 Seat 73 Deg., 1939 74/72 or Choice Mid 74/71Deg., 1939 75/72″ |
| Tube OD (Inch) – Top-Down-Seat | 1 – 1 1/8 – 1 1/8″ |
| Head Tube Lugs | Pre-War, Brampton Soild Cast WFH Cut out/Lightened 1939 New Design |
| Fork Crown | Pre-War, Richard 7/8″ Round Rio 2 1/4″ Rake Mid 1″ |
| Head Set Type | Pre-War, Clip 1953 1″ Threaded  |
| Seat Lug | Pre-War, Brampton Soild Cast WFH Cut out/Lightened 1939 New Design |
| Seat Stay Attachment | Pre-War, to Sides of Seat Lug  |
| Seat Stem Bolt | Pre-War, Nut & Bolt  |
| Bottom Bracket Lugs | Pre-War, Brampton Soild Cast WFH Cut out/Lightened 1939 New Design |
| Gear Cable Run, Over/Under BB | Pre-War, n/a |
| Rear Stay Length (CBB – CDO) | Pre-War, Rio 17″ Fine Taper Mid 16 1/4″ Taper 7/8-5/8″ Rio 1939 Flutted 16 3/4 to 18 1/8″ |
| Wheel Base (Spindle to Spindle) | Pre-War, Rio 41″ Mid 38 3/4″ |
| Rear Dropouts (Front) | Pre-War, WFH Special 1953 Heavy Plate |
| Rear Brake Bridge | Pre-War, Straight?  |
| Brake Bridge Boss – Recessed Bolt | Pre-War, no |
| BB Hight | Pre-War, 11 1/2″ |
| Wheel Size | Pre-War, 26/27″ |
| Head Badge/Transfer | Pre-War, Transfer |
| Decals & Name Plate | Pre-War, Not Known |
| BB Cable Guides | Pre-War, no |
| BB Oiler | Pre-War, Yes |
| Gear Change Lever Lugs | Pre-War, no |
| Rear Stay Gear Cable Guides | Pre-War, no |
| TT Brake Cable Stops/Guides | Pre-War, no |
| Mudguard Stay Attachments | Pre-War, Tabs to Fork Blades & Rear Stays |
| Bottle Holder Bosses | Pre-War, no |
| Colour | Pre-War, Any Flamboyant |
| Chrome | Pre-War, Tips & Ends |
| Comments | No Info on 1953 version |