Altenburger Synchron brake fork badge
Established in 1935, Altenburger GB was first a manufacturer of bicycle rims, then brakes and derailleurs. Founder Karl Altenburger, was successful pro racer in his earlier years. Located in Jestetten, Germany, this company is now the producer of electronic controls. — Classic Rendezvous
The brakes shown in these photos are probably 1970s, but the logo appears to go back to near the company’s founding. This use of a typeface for a badge is unusual because it comes from the pre-digital era when it was much more common to use lettering (not type) on bicycle and automobile emblems and logos. The script is Signal with the romanized alternate ‘r’. “Synchron” feels lettered to me, but it could be one of many broad Grotesques from the early to mid 1900s.
“If The Internet is to be believed, Altenburger Synchron brakes like these were among the earliest — if not the very first — dual-pivot sidepulls available on mass-produced bikes. They are easier to set, adjust, and maintain than comparable single-pivot sidepull brakes.” — headgasket13
