Rabasa Cycles
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Rabasa Cycle is a Spanish
bicycles A bicycle, also called a pedal cycle, bike or cycle, is a human-powered or motor-powered assisted, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A is called a cyclist, or bicyclist. Bi ...
company, headquartered in
Mollet del Vallès Mollet del Vallès () is a municipality in the ''comarca'' of the Vallès Oriental in Catalonia, Spain. It is situated in the valley of the Besòs river, and is an important communications hub from Barcelona towards the north: the AP-7 Motorwa ...
(
Barcelona Barcelona ( , , ) is a city on the coast of northeastern Spain. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second most populous municipality of Spain. With a population of 1.6 million within ci ...
,
Catalonia Catalonia (; ca, Catalunya ; Aranese Occitan: ''Catalonha'' ; es, Cataluña ) is an autonomous community of Spain, designated as a '' nationality'' by its Statute of Autonomy. Most of the territory (except the Val d'Aran) lies on the nort ...
). The company, which started as a bicycle repair shop in 1922, was founded by Simeó Rabasa i Singla.


History

The first Rabasa bicycle shop opens to the public in 1922. Founded by Simeó Rabasa i Singla, its business activities originally consist of the sale, rental and repair of
bicycles A bicycle, also called a pedal cycle, bike or cycle, is a human-powered or motor-powered assisted, pedal-driven, single-track vehicle, having two wheels attached to a frame, one behind the other. A is called a cyclist, or bicyclist. Bi ...
. Three years later, Rabasa enters into partnership with his brother in law, Vicens Solà, and within a few years they manage to open twenty-one bicycle sales and rental branches throughout the Vallès region in
Barcelona Barcelona ( , , ) is a city on the coast of northeastern Spain. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second most populous municipality of Spain. With a population of 1.6 million within ci ...
,
Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = ''Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , national_anthem = (English: "Royal March") , i ...
. The company introduces sale on credit without interest and promotes bicycling classes for women.El meu avi. Simeó Rabasa, bicicletes i derivats
, Documentary script about Simeó Rabasa (text in Catalan). 2001, 7 october.
In 1930, Rabasa and Solà separate and, one year later, Rabasa opens a new shop in the municipality of
Martorelles Martorelles is a municipality in the province of Barcelona and autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain. It covers . Its population in 2014 was 4,783. It was in Martorelles that motorcycle ace Ricardo Tormo crashed and shattered his leg in 1984 du ...
(
Barcelona Barcelona ( , , ) is a city on the coast of northeastern Spain. It is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Catalonia, as well as the second most populous municipality of Spain. With a population of 1.6 million within ci ...
). The new building allows him to manufacture fenders and specialize in the production of frames and accessories. During the
Spanish Civil War The Spanish Civil War ( es, Guerra Civil Española)) or The Revolution ( es, La Revolución, link=no) among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War ( es, Cuarta Guerra Carlista, link=no) among Carlists, and The Rebellion ( es, La Rebelión, link ...
, production is greatly reduced due to the difficulty of supplying the factory. Later during the war, the factory is confiscated by the Republican Government for use in the repair of military airplane engines. After the civil war, production resumes. In 1944 Simeó Rabasa i Singla creates a corporation with his brother, Josep Rabasa i Singla, called Bicicletas Rabasa. From then on, the company adds the production of
motorcycle A motorcycle (motorbike, bike, or trike (if three-wheeled)) is a two or three-wheeled motor vehicle steered by a handlebar. Motorcycle design varies greatly to suit a range of different purposes: long-distance travel, commuting, cruising ...
components to the existing bicycle business. In 1950 Bicicletas Rabasa transforms into Nacional Motor S.A. and launches the first
Derbi Derbi is a manufacturer of motorcycles, scooters, mopeds and recreational all-terrain vehicles produced by Nacional Motor S.A.U., a Spanish subsidiary of Piaggio & Co. SpA. History Derbi's origins began with a little bicycle workshop in the v ...
motorcycle (acronym comes from the expression « derived from bicycle») in the Barcelona Exhibition Fair. The company is hence known as Rabasa
Derbi Derbi is a manufacturer of motorcycles, scooters, mopeds and recreational all-terrain vehicles produced by Nacional Motor S.A.U., a Spanish subsidiary of Piaggio & Co. SpA. History Derbi's origins began with a little bicycle workshop in the v ...
. In 1970 the company is divided into two separate companies. Bicycle production remains under the direction of Margarita Rabasa (daughter of Simeó Rabasa i Singla) and Dante Adami, who found a new bicycle manufacturing plant in the municipality of
Mollet del Vallès Mollet del Vallès () is a municipality in the ''comarca'' of the Vallès Oriental in Catalonia, Spain. It is situated in the valley of the Besòs river, and is an important communications hub from Barcelona towards the north: the AP-7 Motorwa ...
. The new plant occupies 26,000 square meters. They produce nearly two million bicycles until 1996, when the plant closes its doors.«Cierra bicicletas Rabasa». El País Spanish journal. 1996, 5 january.
/ref> In 2011, Albert Adami Rabasa resumes the business with Rabasa Cycle. The company focuses on the production of urban bicycles. File:Factoria-rabasa.jpeg, Old Rabasa Bicicletas factory in Mollet del Vallès. File:Rabasa-corsa.jpeg, Rabasa Corsa Model. File:Rabasa-Panther.jpeg, Competition Rabasa Panther bikes.


Historic models


Panther BMX

The BMX bicycles in this series were sold in the 1980s. The Rabasa Derbi BMX team took home 4 world championship titles and 9 domestic championship titles, across several categories of competition. Rabasa Derbi riders competed with Panther BMX bikes.


Lady y Hollyday

In its early years as a repair and rental shop, Rabasa promoted riding classes for women. Later as a bicycle manufacturer, Rabasa designed and built various models for women and girls. Among these were the Rabasa Lady and the Rabasa Holiday.


Cross-Jet

The Panther Cross-Jet BMX was a big hit with the adolescent market in the 1980s. It was known for its disc brakes and other innovative available options. This model was used in several domestic and world BMX championships.


References


External links


«El meu avi». TV3 documentary about Simeó Rabasa i Singla (in Catalan).

Rabasa old pictures
{{Automotive industry in Spain Companies based in Catalonia Bicycle framebuilders Cycle manufacturers of Spain