Rabasa Cycles
Encyclopedia
Rabasa Cycle is a Spanish bicycles company, headquartered in Mollet del Vallès
(Barcelona
). The company, which started as a bicycle repair shop in 1922, was originally founded by Simeó Rabasa i Singla.
, Spain
. The company introduces sale on credit without interest and promotes bicycling classes for women.
In 1930 Rabasa and Solà separate and, one year later, Rabasa opens a new shop in the municipality of Martorelles
(Barcelona
). The new building allows him to manufacture fenders and specialize in the production of frames and accessories. During the Spanish Civil War
, 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
components to the existing bicycle business.
In 1950 Bicicletas Rabasa transforms into Nacional Motor S.A. and launches the first Derbi
motorcycle (acronym comes from the expression « derived from bicycle») in the Barcelona Exhibition Fair
. The company is hence known as Rabasa Derbi
. 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
. The new plant occupies 26,000 square meters. They produce nearly two million bicycles until 1996, when the plant closes its doors.
In 2011, Albert Adami Rabasa resumes the business with Rabasa Cycle. The company focuses on the production of urban bicycles.
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 Motorway passes through the municipality, as do the RENFE railway lines...
(Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
). The company, which started as a bicycle repair shop in 1922, was originally 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. 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 BarcelonaBarcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
, Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. The company introduces sale on credit without interest and promotes bicycling classes for women.
In 1930 Rabasa and Solà separate and, one year later, Rabasa opens a new shop in the municipality of Martorelles
Martorelles
Martorelles is a village in the province of Barcelona and autonomous community of Catalonia, Spain....
(Barcelona
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain after Madrid, and the capital of Catalonia, with a population of 1,621,537 within its administrative limits on a land area of...
). The new building allows him to manufacture fenders and specialize in the production of frames and accessories. During the Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
, 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
Motorcycle
A motorcycle is a single-track, two-wheeled motor vehicle. Motorcycles vary considerably depending on the task for which they are designed, such as long distance travel, navigating congested urban traffic, cruising, sport and racing, or off-road conditions.Motorcycles are one of the most...
components to the existing bicycle business.
In 1950 Bicicletas Rabasa transforms into Nacional Motor S.A. and launches the first Derbi
Derbi
Derbi is a brand of motorcycles, scooters, and recreational ATVs produced by Nacional Motor S.A.U., a Spanish subsidiary of Piaggio & Co...
motorcycle (acronym comes from the expression « derived from bicycle») in the Barcelona Exhibition Fair
Fira de Barcelona
Fira de Barcelona is a trade fair ground and organizer that was officially constituted in 1932 in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. It is publicly owned company with autonomous management, organizing more than 80 trade shows, bringing together 40,000 companies and receiving three and a half million...
. The company is hence known as Rabasa Derbi
Derbi
Derbi is a brand of motorcycles, scooters, and recreational ATVs produced by Nacional Motor S.A.U., a Spanish subsidiary of Piaggio & Co...
. 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
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 Motorway passes through the municipality, as do the RENFE railway lines...
. The new plant occupies 26,000 square meters. They produce nearly two million bicycles until 1996, when the plant closes its doors.
In 2011, Albert Adami Rabasa resumes the business with Rabasa Cycle. The company focuses on the production of urban bicycles.