Vintage original blue Columbia tourist III bicycle in excellent condition
(3500 USD)

Columbia bicycles have ruled the American bicycle market for many years. It was either the high wheeler of the 18th century or the Summit of 2011; they all have well served the nation in every era of their history. They served the people from the depression cohort by giving them a cheap mode of transportation in times of economic downturn.

They served the Army needs in both world wars, as basic patrolling transportation for sergeants. They served baby boomers in their day-to-day needs, and until nowadays, Columbia is a status symbol for their sophistication and comfortable use.

History in Brief

Albert Pope was a Captain in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He saw a newfangled contraption called a bicycle at an American Centennial Exposition in 1876. Being quite a visionary, he immediately recognized the future potential of the device. In 1877, he established the Pope Manufacturing Co. in Boston, Massachusetts, and began to import and build high-wheeled bicycles.

Pope’s company was not set up for mass production and his first bikes were priced at an astronomical $313, a huge amount of money at that time. Pope bought the original patent for the bicycle from Pierre Lallement, who had moved to the U.S., and proceeded to buy up every bicycle-related patent he could get his hands on. He made a fortune charging other American bike companies royalties to use designs he owned the rights to.

Columbia bicycles were first made by The Pope Manufacturing Company from its inception in 1877.

Columbia bicycles were kept under production in their Westfield plant under the name of Westfield Manufacturing Company.

The consistent research and development in the cycling industry made them a market leader, and they are still in production with a continued legacy of over 150 years of history.

Innovation in the Bicycle Market

Being the oldest maker of the bicycle, Columbia faced competition from companies like Shelby and Hoffman at the beginning of the 19th century. Columbia took care of this building competition by making robust innovations in their bicycle designs and features.

The introduction of ball bearings and hollow steel frames is attributed to Pope Manufacturing. These innovations in the design of Columbia bicycles gave a lightweight bicycle to the customers, which was easy to handle, and faster to move.

Their robust marketing campaign was backed by sponsorships to the bicycle clubs, bicycle race clubs, and their race championships. This was an innovative marketing strategy that helped Columbia capture the market well in the presence of its competitors.

Columbia Becomes the First American Bike Company

In 1878, Pope opened a larger showroom and a bicycle riding school in Boston. He approached the Weed Sewing Machine Co. in Hartford, Connecticut, with the idea of starting up a bicycle shop in their factory. The Columbia Bicycle Company became the first American bicycle manufacturer. The following year, the company’s first bike, the Standard Columbia high-wheeler, was released and retailed for $125. In 1888, the company started to manufacture and sell hard-tired safety bicycles, followed by safety bicycles equipped with pneumatic tires in 1892.

Pope the Cycling Advocate

Pope became a leading cycling advocate and a leader in the Good Roads movement that pressured the U.S. government to make roads safer between 1870 and the 1920s. He also spent a lot of money promoting bike clubs, bicycling journals, and races.

Westfield Manufacturing Co.

In 1914, Pope Manufacturing Co. moved its main offices to Westfield, Massachusetts. The company went through bankruptcy and re-emerged as the Westfield Manufacturing Co. Westfield continued to make Columbia-branded bikes, but also bikes for other companies including the amazing Sears Elgin Bluebird (1935 – 1938), and Blackhawk (1934 – 1936).

Columbia Goes to War

It may not be wrong if one says that the high reputation seen by the Columbia bicycle today is due to its widespread use in World War II by United States Army personnel.

During the Second World War, Columbia and Huffman built bikes for the US military. Military bikes are very rare and collectible these days and there are a lot of fakes, so buyers beware.

Westfield Manufacturing Company produced thousands of bicycles for military use in the era of 1940’s.

You must have seen those vintage Columbia bicycles in military shows across various states on the Veterans Day parade. The olive green chrome frame equipped with metallic rims, tool kit, and front light are the distinguishing features of a military Westfield bicycle. Both male and female versions of the bicycle were made for military purposes. Due to their sturdier finish, they well served the beating of the rugged wartime and are even found in operation by Veterans on special occasions.

Collectible Columbia Bicycles

A company with a history as long as Columbia’s is likely to have an extensive product line. As would be expected, any Columbia bicycle made before 1900 is highly collectible. Wood-wheeled bikes made from the late 1890s to the early 1930s are also valuable, with the Motorbike models being the most highly sought after. These bikes were styled after motorcycles and were designed to appeal to teenage boys. Columbia’s archbar and racing models from this era are also highly desirable.

Pre and post-war Columbia balloon tire bikes are in high demand. Deluxe models had a speedometer and clock mounted in a “dashboard,” and a combination horn/headlight mounted on the front fender. Springer forks and an original headlight and tail light increase the value of a bike significantly.

In general, Columbia bicycles made for women are worth 1/3 to ½ the price of a comparable man’s bike. Girls tended to take better care of their bikes, and more of them survived, so they were more common. Most bike collectors are also men, and it follows that they are more likely to buy a man’s bike.

	Columbia Five Star Superb Bicycle (3500 USD)
	Antique Prewar Columbia 28" Mens Motobike Hanging Cigar Tank Bicycle 1927 (Used - 3200 USD)
	1950s HARLEY 26” COLUMBIA 3 STAR BICYCLE PINNELL STORE RICHMOND VA VINTAGE RARE (Used - 2499.99 USD)
	Rare vintage 1940s 50s Columbia and Wards boy’s Bicycle Lot 3 Total Hawthorne. (2300 USD)

Famous Models

Columbia produced many hallmark bicycles across history. The Elgin Bluebird is one of those vintage Columbia bicycles that you may find even today at a price starting from $500. The 1953 Five Star Superb motorbike is also a hallmark bicycle from the antique Columbia bicycle collection. The Columbia Elgin Blackhawk and Columbia Falcon are a few other vintage Columbia bicycles still praised by bicycle lovers.

Today’s Columbia Bicycles

What was once the biggest American bicycle manufacturer still exists. The Columbia Manufacturing Co. doesn’t build bicycles anymore but is an importer of bikes sold in department stores.

“I don’t know the key to success, but the key to failure is trying to please everybody.”
Bill Cosby