Rex on a leash: a special story about the Miele bicycle

There was a time when basic mobility really meant literally: on a bicycle with a small auxiliary engine. Shortly after the war, when cars were unaffordable for many, bicycles with a built-in engine were a godsend. And if you had a little bit of knowledge, you knew that a Miele bicycle with a Rex built-in engine was a golden combination: reliable, solid and simply indestructible.  

By: Marina Block  

Dieter, a vintage car enthusiast from the Bielefeld area, had a special bond with these machines. Miele bikes were produced near his home, in the cycling capital of Germany, which makes his find all the more special. However, he did not discover his Miele bike in Bielefeld, but at the port of Bremen. There, at a tent supplier, he found a rare model from 1955, equipped with a 49 cc Rex engine.  

Restoring this machine turned out to be an adventure in itself. Although the diamond frame and the Ideal-federgabel (a popular suspension fork from the 50s) were in good condition, the small Rex engine needed some love. The tank was full of rust holes, the carburetor needed cleaning, and the V-belt had to be replaced. Fortunately, Dieter could count on the help of a former Miele employee who even manually renewed the paint and lines on the tank – with craftsmanship that is rarely seen today.  

What makes this machine so special? The Rex built-in engine, once called the “king of auxiliary engines”, was a technical masterpiece. With an output of 0,9 hp and a top speed of 40 km/h, it provided that little bit of extra power to zoom up hills without overloading the bike itself. The fact that it also ran almost vibration-free, started easily and consumed only 1,4 litres of fuel per 100 km made it popular with many cyclists.  

Today, Dieter's Miele bike with Rex engine is ready for vintage rides and fairs. It is a wonderful example of how simplicity and quality go hand in hand, and how a piece of history comes to life on two wheels.  

Want to know the whole story about this special machine? Read the full story in the December issue of Auto Motor Klassiek, which is now available at the kiosk!