In 1974, rival bicycle manufacturer Elswick Hopper plc began a period of expansion, purchasing Wearwell Cycles, which had been established before 1872. This allowed the company to greatly expand, and export large numbers of Merckx bikes to the United States. Managed from the 1950s under British bicycle racer Ernie Clements, in the 1970s the company signed a global licensing agreement with Belgian-racer Eddy Merckx brand, who at the time was the leading global road cycling racer. In the 1930s they had launched a range of sporting bikes under the "Falcon" brand, and it was under this marque that the company relaunched itself. Post-WW2 Īfter the war, and not of a scale to continue competitive motorcycle manufacture, the company concentrated on racing bicycles. Production of motorcycles continued until the start of the World War II in 1939. Sourcing engines from four manufacturers post the war into the 1920s, during the depression of the 1930s the company concentrated on producing two-strokes. By the start of World War I, the range included Villiers and JAP engines. By 1899 they produced their first motorcycle, manufactured along bicycle lines from carefully manufactured components. įrom 1898, like many bicycle manufacturers they began experimenting by adding small petrol-engines to their heavier bicycle frames. In 1897, the company name was changed to Coventry-Eagle when John Meek left the company. "It's a sport that I'd like for families to participate in forever.In the 1880s, Hotchkiss, Mayo & Meek Ltd was established in Coventry as a manufacturer of bicycles. It's appealing enough for families to buy a BMX bike and share the same interest," he said. "You can just ride, you don't even have to do tricks. He said there is a lot more to competing than just winning and losing, but not every rider who owns a BMX bike has to take to the park. But competitive and recreational riders share one thing in common - a passion for pedaling.ĭeguchi, himself a former high-level rider, emphasizes that BMX is a family-oriented sport in Japan and open to all ages. Overcoming fear (in a sports context) makes it more fun," Shimono said.īMX has many subdisciplines including race, freestyle, street, park and more.
![falcon bmx bike logo falcon bmx bike logo](https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/C1YAAOSwKtlWjrO~/s-l400.jpg)
"It's worth putting my body at risk because it's a great father-son communication tool. Satoshi Deguchi (L) and Masashi Shimono (R) take their places on the podium after competing in the over-30s category at a BMX freestyle park competition held in Kyoto Prefecture on Nov. The 37-year-old enjoys riding BMX with his first grader son and despite only having two years' experience, he got to play the superstar when he pulled off a barspin - flicking the handlebars 360 degrees while in the air - in his first competition.
![falcon bmx bike logo falcon bmx bike logo](http://bloggingadeadhorse.com/images/bmx/hotfoot/falcon/falconPro_1.jpg)
Now, parents whose role had been little more than cheerleading chauffeurs have a chance to show their offspring what they can do on a bike other than a mamachari - the standard family transport that most Japanese use in their neighborhoods every day.
![falcon bmx bike logo falcon bmx bike logo](http://www.radbmx.co.uk/archive/albums/v607/stuntmaster/falconbmx001.jpg)
To encourage parents to roll into the park with their kids, the federation reintroduced a category for riders aged 30 and over for the first time in three years at a recent event held in Kyoto Prefecture. With a new and very challenging activity to share, many of the family units are finding the sport is a perfect vehicle for improved communication and stronger emotional bonds. Satoshi Deguchi competes in the over-30s category at a BMX freestyle park competition held in Kyoto Prefecture on Nov.