Unfortunately, they were often referred to as nothing but ‘a piece of junk’ by many bicycle efficianados. Roadmaster Bicycles have had to battle many uphill climbs , but honestly earned their place in the hearts and minds of nostalgic cyclists.
Roadmaster Bicycles were first introduced by the Cleveland Welding Company in 1936. In 1950, after purchasing the Roadmaster line of children's and youth bicycles from the Cleveland Welding Company, AMF entered the bicycle manufacturing business with its newly formed AMF Wheeled Goods Division. In 1953, after a prolonged labor strike, AMF moved bicycle manufacturing from the UAW-organized plant in Cleveland, Ohio to a new facility in Little Rock, Arkansas.The new plant was heavily automated and featured more than a mile of part conveyor belts in six separate systems, including an electrostatic induction painting operation.
Taking advantage of the increase in its target markets in the aftermath of the baby boom, AMF was able to diversify its product line, adding exercise equipment under the brand name Vitamaster in 1950. As demand for bicycles continued to expand, the company found the need for a new manufacturing facility to keep up with demand. As two-wheeled bicycles are increasing in popularity a new production plant is built in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1951. In 1962, the company moved its operations to Olney, Illinois, where it built a new factory on a site that would remain the company's principal bicycle manufacturing location into the 1990s. BMX bicycles, mopeds and exercise bicycles are introduced in the 1970s.
After two decades of consistent growth, the AMF Wheel Goods Division stalled under the long-distance management of a parent company bogged down in layers of corporate management and marginally profitable product lines. Manufacturing quality as well as the technical standard of the Roadmaster bicycle line - once the pride of the company - had fallen to an all-time low. Bicycles made at the Olney plant were manufactured so poorly that some Midwestern bike shops refused to repair them, claiming that the bikes would not stay fixed no matter how much labor and effort was put into them.
Helped by the increasing popularity of Mountain Bikes, Roadmaster experienced a 72% increase in bicycle sales in 1993. A new bicycle production plant was built in Effingham, Illinois to keep pace with the growing demand. Roadmaster acquired Flexible Flyer Company, whose history dates back to 1889. It changed its name to Roadmaster Industries, Inc. and positioned itself as the leader in the fitness equipment and junior toy industries. Itin and Fong took the company public through an IPO in the end of 1987. Itin and Fong acquired over 20 companies in the sporting goods field. Roadmaster grew from $40,000,00 in unprofitable sales to over $800,000,000 of highly profitable sales. Under the symbol of RDMI it went from small cap on NASDQ to large cap on NMS to the American Stock Exchange and then to the New York Stock Exchange and became a Fortune 1000 company.
In 1997 the Roadmaster bicycle division was sold to the Brunswick Corporation. However, it had already become evident that production of low-cost, mass-market bicycles in the United States was no longer viable in the face of intense foreign competition, and in 1999, all U.S. production of Roadmaster bicycles ceased.
Brunswick sold its bicycle division and the Roadmaster brand to Pacific Cycle, which began distributing a new Roadmaster line of bicycles imported from Taiwan and the People's Republic of China. Pacific Cycle still uses the Olney facility for corporate offices and as a product inventory and distribution center.
Below are pictures of the classic Roadmaster Bicycle that was recently saved from the scrap heap and then rehomed to a nice young lady who wanted it so that she could bicycle to and from her classes at Indiana University. The bike had been given to a "houseless" man who I am acquainted with by the name of John. A student who was moving out and who had seen John, offered it to him. John took it and thanked the young man for his generosity. The next time that I stopped to talk to John on one of my bike rides, he approached me and explained how he came across the bicycle and asked me if I wanted it. "Look here! It came with a gosh dang combination lock so you know that it ain't stolen or nothing." John said defensively, as if I had accused him of such a crime. Which I had not. Knowing the abundant bounty of bicycles that are left behind and abandoned by students every semester first hand.
I agreed to take the bike on one condition. That condition was that I would make sure that it was in good shape to ride, then find it a new owner and split the profits with him. Despite his circumstances, John is a man with pride and at first he tried to argue the conditions with me. "Nah! I am GIVING it to you." He argued. "I see you a messing around with bikes all the time and I figured you might want it." He went on to say. "And besides I got Bear!" He said pointing at his canine companion. "I can't ride no bicycle with Bear so I ain't got no use for it." I have never seen John go any where that Bear could not go with him. They are inseparable as far as I know. "Can't you just let a guy gives you something?" John said cocking his roughly wrinkled head and coming across looking like Popeye. He is one hell of a character for sure. I told him that was fine and that I accepted his gift graciously, then I asked him his question right back at him. "Now, can't YOU just let ME give you a little something back in return?" For me it was more about giving this great little ride a second chance than it was about making a dollar, and it was also a way to do something good for my fellow people. Reluctantly he agreed and, after taking the small piece of paper with the combination to the accompanying lock scrawled onto it, I pedaled off on this little beauty.
I was really surprised by how well taken care of the bike had been. According to the front badge it was manufactured at the Olney, Illinois plant. That would date the bicycle at 1997 or earlier, making it at least twenty years old. The gear shifters were the old school metal type that I never have been fond of (not fond of any gears at all these days!) and the saddle was not the most comfortable to me, but the actual ride was S-M-O-O-T-H! I held onto the bike for about a week. Partly to make sure that it was in good shape, but partly out of nostalgic fondness for the bicycle and it's history. I finally listed it online and, not surprisingly, a number of individuals contacted me wanting to purchase it. It was the young college student that showed up first to have a look at it in person and take it for a test ride, and it was her who bought it!
The next day I went to People's Park and found John, with Bear resting next to him, sitting on one of the wooden benches. I gave him his cut and despite his reluctance to agree to the initial condition, he smiled and thanked me.
I will forever have a fondness for that Roadmaster. It was one of the first bikes that I flipped after moving back to B-town and it felt great doing it!
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