D. Salmon - Velo Revolutionaire

The first model of this bike was built in the mid-to-late 70s, by Daniel SALMON, and was he claimed, the first ever low-profile bike of modern times. It was used by the French National Amateur team. Because Salmon thought it was quite revolutionary he called it just that - le Velo Revolutionnaire,a nd even to this day his down-tube transsfers still have this name written in them. The bike in the photo id very interesting with its smaller diameter front wheel, probably a 26"(or 650), although he is known to have used 24" as well. One fascinating feature is the deeply fluted seat-tube, which, as if this is not enough to shorten the wheelbase, is curved towards the bottom as well. Note the mounting of the front brake behind the front fork crown - a position pioneered by Manufrance in the 1930s. from here- http://www.flickr.com/photos/cyclecrank/2197587758/