Hetchins

Hetchins is an English bicycle brand that has existed since 1934.

The company was founded by Hyman Hetchin, who was born as the son of Lazarus and Leah Hetchin on 20 December 1894 in Russia. In 1917 he came to Britain, presumably as a refugee before the revolution in Russia, and settled in London's East End. In 1918, he married in the synagogue and gave his occupation as " press ". The family moved to South Tottenham in a house where Hetchin opened a shop for gramophones.

Hetchin, in 1927 a British citizen, was an avid cyclist. When he just began to trade with bicycles is unknown. In 1932 he bought the neighboring land next to his former shop, to open up a store for bicycles, which he had been sold by the way. In 1934 he became dealer for bicycles BSA, Raleigh, Rudge, Humber and Hercules, but also already selling bikes with his own name, which he produced from a local frame builder. In 1934, he took Jack Denny as a partner in the company to which he had submitted a design for a bicycle with sprung rear. Hetchin recognized the potential of this model and patented it, the first patent of several. In addition, rooms were rented for workshops. Denny was the company's creative head, his partner Hetchin marketed and sold the wheels.

The bike models of Hetchins were quickly successful. Their trademark was a spring-loaded rear triangle with curved struts that should make driving on rough roads easily. The wheels wore a logo bearing the arms of London. The sale of bicycles went so well that Hetchins gave up selling Grammofonen and the entire company in 1936 moved to larger premises. In the same year, the company introduced its wheels on the Bicycle and Motorcycle Show in London.

1937 equipped the company Hetchins the Germans Toni memorizing, who took part in Wembley on six-day race, with a wheel out. Hetchins memorizing used for advertising: On a photo the German racer was seen in a shirt with a swastika. Overall Hetchins supplied nine riders in this six-day races, including Piet van Kempen and Cor Wals. 1939, the company in touring and racing bikes was a leader in the UK.

Hyman Hetchin died in 1961 at the age of 70 years and his son Alfred took over the company, Jack Denny was active as a frame designer and builder until 1986, he died in 1991. Alfred Hetchin 1985 sold the business. Today ( 2013) are still around twelve frames per year sold as Hetchins.

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