One of the things we love about the internet is that it allows us to share what once upon a time would have been brochures or pamphlets once passed from hand to hand and becoming more dog-eared each time.

It’s not that long ago that instead of being able to ogle the latest gear on the internet, you’d have to pick up a catalogue from the local bike shop from whichever distributor they had a deal with.

Go back further still though, and you can find some real gems – have a look at this catalogue from the Metropolitan Machinists’ Co. from 1896 which has been posted on Spitalfieldslife.com.

Several things strike us; Brooks has been around for a very long time, cutaway saddles are nothing new, and antisocial cyclists existed (“the faults of [cycling’s] votaries are visited upon it”).

As did hipsters in a part of London now synonymous with them, judging from that chap’s moustache – indeed, source these products and turn up with them half an hour before the Tweed Run starts and you’d be quids in.

But “sperm” being the best form of lube – that’s a new one on us. We're guessing they mean sperm whale oil… hope so anyway.

Pictures courtesy Bishopsgate Institute.