Sheldon Brown's mother bought him a week-old Elswick Tour Anglais when he was 14 or 15; he sets the scene in 1959. He describes it with 27in wheels on Dunlop Endrick rims and a Sturmey-Archer FW 4-speed, and notes it was also sold with a Benelux Mark VII 8-speed set-up.
Known components
Listed exactly as our confirmed sources give them, with the year and source for each. A part listed for one year or version may not apply to every bike, so check against yours.
Gears and drivetrain
- Sturmey-Archer FW 4-speedUndated: bought when Sheldon Brown was 14 or 15; the page sets the scene in 1959 — Sheldon Brown
- also sold with Benelux Mark VII 8-speedUndated: bought when Sheldon Brown was 14 or 15; the page sets the scene in 1959 — Sheldon Brown
Wheels and tyres
- 27in wheels with Dunlop Endrick rimsUndated: bought when Sheldon Brown was 14 or 15; the page sets the scene in 1959 — Sheldon Brown
What the sources say
| Year | Name · variant | Details | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undated | Elswick Tour Anglais | 27in wheels with Dunlop Endrick rims; Sturmey-Archer FW 4-speed; also sold with Benelux Mark VII 8-speed. (Undated: bought when Sheldon Brown was 14 or 15; the page sets the scene in 1959) | Sheldon Brown |
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Sources
Last updated 19 October 2026. Every fact on this page comes from one of these.