Flying Pigeon

Flying Pigeon is a Chinese publicly owned bicycle company based in Tianjin.

Since 1950, more than 500 million Flying Pigeon PA-02 bicycles have been made, and as of 2007, more than any other model of vehicle.[1][2]

History

In 1936, a Japanese businessman built the Changho Works factory in Tianjin, and started to make "Anchor" bicycles. The brand name was changed to "Victory", and then renamed to "Zhongzi". After the Communists led by Chinese Communist Party chairman Mao Zedong came to power in 1949, the bicycle industry was revived.

In April 1949, Communist Party secretary Liu Shaoqi paid a visit to the factory and commanded that it become the first bicycle manufacturer in New China. Their workers were tasked to build a generation of strong, durable, light, and beautiful bicycles for the New China. On July 5, 1950, the first Flying Pigeon bicycle was produced. It was the brainchild of a worker named Huo Baoji, who based his classic model on the 1932 English Raleigh roadster.[3]

Traditional models

The classic Flying Pigeon bicycles are the PA-02 and PA-06 (men's) and PB-13 (women's): single speed black roadsters.

They are simple, relative to other bicycles. They are all-steel single speed with 28 in wheels, fenders, fully covered chain, sprung leather saddle, rear rack and rod brakes (a handlebar lever connects directly to the brake pads), double stand (PA02 and PA06) or side stand (PB13). Like the Ford Model T, they are only available in one colour, black, except for the flare of vanilla at the fender tips. They can be equipped with a dynamo lighting set.

These specifications are standard to all three models, except where otherwise noted.

28 inch by 1+1/2 in (ISO 635) wheels, 32 spokes in front, 40 spokes in the rear, Westwood rims.

Rear hub 120 mm OLD, front hub 100 mm OLD

Chain wheel 42 teeth, sprocket 20 teeth

22 inch frame size (PA-06 also available in 24 inch)

Single-speed gearing of 58.8 gear inches

PA-02

The classic Flying Pigeon bicycle is the PA-02, a single-speed with 28-inch wheels, mudguards (fenders), a fully enclosed chain case, a rear rack and rod-actuated brakes. The typically available color is black. However, other colors are available, such as: dark green, which is used by China Post; red, which is used by Chinese municipal fire departments; and yellow, orange and blue, which are used by various businesses. Most models are pinstriped.

For most of the Communist era, the price of a Flying Pigeon was 150 yuan, about two months' salary, with a waiting list that stretched into years. An apocryphal story tells that a farmer once offered to trade his entire crop to speed up delivery of his Pigeon.

The Tianjin factory produces about 800,000 bikes yearly.

PA-06

The PA-06 model is distinguished by the use of a double top-tube. It is also the only model also manufactured in the larger 24 in frame size (The PA-02 and PB-13 are only available in 22 inch frame size). This feature is often cited as being designed to carry pigs, but there is little factual basis for this claim. Double top-tubes are often used to stiffen larger frames in order to reduce "frame-whip" (lateral torsion).

PB-13

The PB-13 is the ladies' version of the classic Flying Pigeon, using a step-through style frame, similar to a Dutch Omafiets.

type	State-owned bicycle company
foundation	1936
location city	Tianjin
location country	China
industry	Bicycles
homepage	flyingpigeon-bicycle.com

History

Traditional models

PA-02

PA-06

PB-13

Company

External links

References