SHOW US YOUR BICYCLE Chinese Flying Pigeon

steve takacs · From: beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)

I was going to park this in the Motorcycle section but did not want to hijack the thread, so I'll start a new one about bicycles.

Mine is called a Flying Pigeon (飞鸽 ). I've had it for twelve years now and use it nearly everyday when I'm back in China. Here is a photo of one that is not my own.

Here are more photos:

Finally, here is some info from Wikipedia:

Flying Pigeon: China's bicycle since 1950

The Flying Pigeon is the bike that has pushed forward not only billions of people, but also history itself. It is at the forefront of the whole bicycle phenomenon in the People’s Republic of China. In 1950 revolutionary China was a tightly controlled and regimented society. Political beliefs, education, where people lived, what jobs they held and the amounts of goods produced by factories and farms were all centrally planned. The two-wheeled vehicle was the approved form of transport, and the nation became zixingche da guo, the Kingdom of Bicycles. A bicycle was one of the three "must-haves“ of every citizen, alongside a sewing machine and watch - essential items in life that also offered a hint of wealth in those dour times. In Maoist China, the famed Flying Pigeon bicycle was a symbol of an egalitarian social system that promised little comfort but a reliable ride through life. Throughout the 1960s and 1970s the logo became synonymous with almost all bicycles in the country. The Flying Pigeon was the single most popular mechanized vehicle on the planet, becoming so ubiquitous that Deng Xiaoping - the post-Mao leader who launched China's economic reforms in the 1970s - defined prosperity as "a Flying Pigeon in every household”. In the early 1980s, Flying Pigeon was the country's biggest bike builder, and its 20-kilo black one-speed models were the pride of hero workers nationwide. There was a multiyear waiting list to get one, and even then you needed good guanxi, or connections - not to mention about four months' wages for most workers. Nowadays, of all the bicycle logos in China today, the silhouette of a pigeon resting on the two letters FP is probably the best-known. Flying Pigeon has become one of China's most storied brands and the most popular and influential bicycle in the world.

richard burton · From: Britain

Terry McCumbee · From: West Virginia, USA

I was just wondering if they make a pull behind Cart for them for our Steel guitar.We all mite need one. LETS SEE A CART. Laughing

Steve Feldman · From: Central MA USA

Road bike:

Commuter (sans rack and fenders):

Roadie (again):

I'm gonna have to try one of those Flying Pigeons...(wait a minute - did you say 20 kg, as in 44 lbs? Whoa!

).
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"...An admission of interest in protracted commentary is certainly no reason to capitalize on surmised aberations that do not exist." - BH

Michael Johnstone · From: Sylmar,Ca. USA

Here's what I ride. Trikke T-12 Roadster. No pushing,no pedaling,just shifting weight from side-to-side much like skating or skiing.I've ridden it 40 miles without my feet touching the ground. Up hill no problem,just wider turns and more upper body input.Top speed on flat land 15 mph. I have bikes too but they're nowhere near as interesting and fun.

http://www.trikke.com/home.php

It's a full body aerobic workout,a wonderful way to get around,keep yer beer gut at bay and a fantastic application of some very interesting physics principals. It's made in..... where else - China.

Bob Bowden · From: Vancouver, BC, Canada * R.I.P.

Off-Roadie

Off-Roadie in use

chris ivey · From: california (deceased)

you've got to love a chick who rides her bike in the mountains in high heels with her breast hanging out!

John Drury · From: Gallatin, Tn USA

"you've got to love a chick who rides her bike in the mountains in high heels with her breast hanging out!"

And wears see thru blouses!

Man! That thing reminds me of the starter button on my 49 Ford.
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John Drury
NTSGA #3

"Practice cures most tone issues" ~ John Suhr

steve takacs · From: beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)

Chris & John, this film was made in 1934 when a western influence existed, at least for the upper class. It was well before the Communist Revolution after which women switched to the Mao suits from the 1950s-1980s. The body was then meant to be covered up which is is hardly the case anymore. If there is any intrest, I will do a thread on "The Women of Beijing", but under which heading would it fit in The Forum? Thanks, steve t

Donny Hinson · From: Glen Burnie, Md. U.S.A.

Flying Pigeon?

Very descriptive. I guess that's to differentiate it from the many swimming, tunneling, and running varieties of pigeons. Laughing

steve takacs · From: beijing, china via pittsburgh (deceased)

Donny, it could have been a walking or sleeping pigeon, but the words they chose give a better PR impression. This is a heavy bike though, and on hills it would be a "crawling pigeon".
steve t

Gary Stevenson · From: Northern New York,USA

[img]

Steve do you remember this? This was a club in Beijeng that Steve took me to when I went to visit my son. I was a great nite. The band let me set in for a few songs.[/img]

Gary Stevenson · From: Northern New York,USA

Yes you should do a women of China photo set Very Happy

Cliff Kane · From: the late great golden state

Here's my two wheel push-pull. I push on the pedals and it pulls me up the hill.

Jussi Huhtakangas · From: Helsinki, Finland

Great topic, I'm an active bike rider, commute to work most of the year, if it doesn't rain cats and dogs. I've never really counted, but I estimate about 2500 miles a year. My main interest are the classic American balloon tire bikes and custom beach cruisers, at the moment I have two;

100th Anniversary Schwinn Red Phantom from -95, last of the US made Schwinns, they only made few hundred of these in red, this is the only one in Europe Cool

And here's my daily commuter, a custom built frankenbike, very smooth and comfortable ride:

Another view ( from last weekend ):

My friend also gave me a basket case ladies Schwinn New World from -41 which I plan to restore sometime in the future.

Steve Feldman · From: Central MA USA

Jussi - Nice!!!
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"...An admission of interest in protracted commentary is certainly no reason to capitalize on surmised aberations that do not exist." - BH

Thomas Ludwig · From: Augsburg, Germany

Michael,
i didn't knew that trikke before.
Very good machine.
Thomas

Bo Legg · Posted 17 Jul 2008 10:38 am

Terry McCumbee · From: West Virginia, USA

Steve Norman · From: Seattle Washington, USA

My day job (courier)

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GFI D10, Fender Steel King, Hilton Vpedal,BoBro, National D dobro, Marrs RGS

Steve Blazek · From: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

Killer bikes and pedal steel guitars, what could be a more natural combination...

Love the I.F. I have a Ti crown jewel myself!

John McClung · From: Olympia WA, USA

Hey Steve Norman, looks like your courier bike is gearless/brakeless...if so, I'm shocked you play a steel with PEDALS!

Wink

Steve Feldman, when I find the pic of MY Serotta Concourse, I'll post it!
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Jussi Huhtakangas · From: Helsinki, Finland

Yeah, those bike delivery guys are a different breed with their "fixies" ( or whatever you call them over there ) Smile

Russ Tkac · Posted 23 Jul 2008 11:11 am **1977 Schwinn Varsity**

Bought new in 77 and it still looks and rides nice. Smile

Steve Norman · From: Seattle Washington, USA

yeah it is (brake-less & gear-less),,My knees kill me,,but it is the best bike for working, conservation of momentum makes dealing with traffic better. Since you cant coast you dont need the brakes.
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GFI D10, Fender Steel King, Hilton Vpedal,BoBro, National D dobro, Marrs RGS

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