In any case, with such a preconception I have always been struck by 1890s cycling adverts. Not only are they selling a modern product, but they do so in a way which is undeniably ‘modern’. Contemporary bike adverts such as the one for ‘Gladiator’ cycles beneath don’t use long spiels of text, but rather striking visual imagery. They associate bicycles with freedom and liberation. They even add a sprinkling of sex appeal on top.
