Rene Herse

Background

Herse was born in Caen.

Career

He started working on prototype aircraft at the aircraft maker Breguet. In 1938, he introduced lightweight aluminum bicycle components: pedals, cranks, cantilever brakes and stems. In 1940, he began making complete bicycles.

Herse was a "constructeur", meaning he built not just the frame but the entire bike.

His hand-built bicycles were described as "the pinnacle of French cycling" from the 1940s until his death. Herse died in Paris.

Six out of ten victories has never been equalled.

His frames were ridden to victory by racers including Louison Bobet.

Achievements

• Herse bikes won technical trials in wartime and post-war France. His riders and especially his daughter Lily Herse (see below) won numerous times in the Polymultipliée de Chanteloup hillclimb races. Herse"s riders won the Challenge des Constructeurs for the builder with the three best-placed riders in the Paris-Brest-Paris randonneur event every time from 1948 until 1971, and again in 1975. Geneviève Gambillon won the world championships (female) on René Herse in 1972 and 1974. His daughter, Lily Herse, won eight national female cycling championships in France.