To Bicycle Related Articles #2
BRIEF HISTORIES OF CYCLING DEVELOPMENT
"A brief history of the development of the bicycle"
Compiled by Annemarie Driver in 1989. There are many facts missing from this article, and the serious student of bicycle history needs to consult other, more recent, sources for complete accuracy.
Hobby Horse
The first practical two-wheeled muscle-powered machine appeared in 1817. Credit for its development goes to Baron Karl von Drais in Germany. He called it a velocipede in his patent application. He used this new device as an aid in getting around the grounds of the Grand Duke of Baden, where he was a landscape gardener.
It has also been called "draisine", "swiftwalker", "dandyhorse", and "pedestrian curricle".
The first man to fit pedals to a bicycle was Kirkpatrick McMillan, Scotland 1840. He drove the rear wheels by cranks and swinging levers, and steered his front wheel by direct sloping forks.
Boneshaker Tricycle
This machine shows clearly how the boneshaker bicycle was adapted and made into a tricycle. The same front wheel and handlebar arrangement was retained but the frame was differently shaped. It sloped down from the front and divided into two to support the rear axle and wheels. The saddle was situated on a separate piece of iron which split into two forks at the rear and connected with the rear wheels and axle. This type of machine was popular amongst the elder and more conservative followers of the sport as it was considered safer and more sedate to ride on.
Pennyfarthing also called "High Wheeler" or "Ordinary"
To enable the rider to travel further and thus faster with one revolution of the pedal, the front wheel size was increased. 60 inches was found to be the maximum practical diameter for the front wheel. Pedals could usually be adjusted in slots on the cranks thus altering the 'gear'.
The rear wheels were reduced to 18 inches, 17 inches and even 16 inches to enable the diameter of the front wheels to be increased without adding to the weight, and, of course, the lighter the machine the faster it would go for a given amount of effort.
It required only slight interference with the forward movement of machine and rider, (such as a stone) to send the latter flying over the handlebars-often with serious consequences. A spoon brake forward of the handlebars pressed a metal shoe onto the solid rubber tyre.
1890 saw the first development in tension wheels. The 'Boneshaker' wheel had been held together by the pressure of the shrunk-on iron tyre, whereas the 'highwheel' was held together by the tension of the spokes. Of the various designs tried, the two most popular were the
- Radial, or direct from hub to rim;
- Tangent, whereby the spokes cross each other and to give more strength are tied and soldered at these points.
Because of the danger to the rider the Pennyfarthing was popular for only a short time from about 1873 to 1885.
Coventry Lever Tricycle
James Starley's Coventry Lever Tricycle patented in 1876 was the first tricycle successfully put into large-scale production. The levers turned out to be rather awkward to use and were soon replaced by pedals that turned round and round, with a chain to drive the wheel. It was in use for many years in that form. It first sold for £15.
Note the 'garden' seat. Also the double steering wheel enabled the tricycle to be turned in a very small circle. It has a band brake, anticipating motor car practice of 30 years later.
Courting Cycle
Another experimental idea was this Courting Cycle. With the advent of the cycle people gained more independence and could therefore travel alone over longer distances. This cycle provided for a third person as chaperone for a young couple.
Solid Tyre Safety
By 1884 there was a need for a different type of bicycle, due to the safety aspect of the high wheelers. The Humber appeared in 1884 with a 30-inch front wheel and a 28-inch back wheel. John Kemp Starley designed the Rover in 1888. The arrival and development of the low, rear-wheel driven safety bicycle, between 1884 and 1891 sent the high wheel bicycles and tricycles into irreversible decline.
But although smaller wheels may have been safer, they tended to be uncomfortable. High Wheelers had ridden smoothly because the long spokes of the large wheel cushioned the bumps and vibrations. The short spokes in the new solid tyre safeties with low wheels averaging about 30 inches in diameter did not provide a cushion effect and manufacturers rushed to develop spring systems for the forks and frames.
In 1888 pneumatic tyres were developed by John Dunlop. This was a decisive event and soon pneumatic tyred safeties were being mass produced. Within a short time tricycles and Ordinaries were ridden only y racers and eccentrics.
By 1895 the bicycle as we know it had arrived and come to stay.
Wood frame Safety
Wood frame bicycles dated from 1888. Hickory wood was used for the chain stay and seat tube which arched over the rear wheel. Also made of wood were the front mudguard, the spokes and felloes of the rear drive wheel and the steering wheel.
It was claimed that the wood parts of the frame were elastic and provided adequate spring effects.
Massey Harris
Massey Harris racing cycle built in Canada about 1890 by the Massey Harris Co. which now is the same firm M. Ferguson which makes Massey Ferguson farm machinery. The wooden wheels, the block chain and the cut seat are a feature of this bicycle. Note the one-piece crank is similar to the style used in modern BMX bicycles. Many firms that made bicycles in the 1890s and early 1900s used their experience gained in bicycle manufacture to eventually go into motor car production.
Elswick Sports
Made by Elswick in England, this is a ladies sports cycle dating back to 1892.
Special features of this bike are the 26 inch wood wheel. free wheel, special style handlebars, special type front forks, three plate crown with back forks and stays to match, special saddle and saddle pillar, gas light.
Dursley Pedersen
Patented in 1893 by Mikael Pedersen, a Dane who had moved to Dursley, England, the Dursley Pedersen was one of the most innovative designs ever to be created for a safety bicycle. It used a triangulated frame of small diameter tubing rods which were soft soldered together and plated inside and out. Starting with the desire to make a more comfortable saddle, Pedersen developed an unusual hammock woven from 45 yards of silk cord supported at the front by an adjustable leather strap and at the back by seven springs. The saddle was adjustable and could be made tighter or slacker depending on the rider."
The frame imparted a great lateral stability to the machine, and offered excellent resistance to pedal pressure. It was based upon principles used in bridge construction where strength and lightness were desired.
Always very expensive, the Dursley Pedersen was luxuriously finished and practically custom built for the owner.
B.S.A. (British Small Arms)
From 1900 to 1925 the bicycle did not change at all in design. Some small arms manufacturers entered the market, thousands of bicycles were produced, as the demand for personal transport was high.
Sunbeam
Manufactured in Wolverhampton, England, 1911. Fitted with sharps divided axle in rear wheel, this permits the removal of rear tyre or tube without disturbing the chain in its chain case. The two speed gear is housed inside the chain wheel itself and special instructions are needed for the dismantling of the mechanism.
The bike was fitted with the little oil bath in the chain case which means that the chain was always running in oil for lubrication, but the rider had to be careful which way he turned the cycle upside down so as not to lose the oil.
Most Sunbeam cycles were the all black standard. When bought new the price was £26. The brakes worked by pulling up against the rim compared to on the side of the rim on modern models. To wheel this machine backward first pull up the knurled washer on the brake rod behind the seat tube.
The headlock is of the 'thief-proof' type. This model is fitted with the rifle supports for use by the Army for the mounted battalions in the early part of the Great War (1914-1918).
Sociable
This construction employed the rear parts of two safety machines, one for gentlemen and the other for ladies and fitted these together giving it a central front steering wheel. While both sides were fitted with handlebars and pedalling was done by both parties, the steering was in the hands of the gentleman.
German War Bike
Because of the shortage of rubber in World War I, some enterprising person thought to substitute this spring arrangement in the place of rubber tyres. An interesting example of ingenuity.
P.M.G. (Post Master General)
The safety began to be used for commercial purposes. The Post Office in Australia used such machines for letter and parcel delivery. Some had leather bags or wicker baskets.
Shearer's
Bicycling represented a significant personal transport revolution in Australia, e.g. in the adoption of the bicycle for goldfields communications; its widespread use by shearers; the development of road maps and touring guides; benefits to hoteliers resulting from increased tourism. The bicycle allowed travellers to cover a greater distance in less time than was ever before possible through most of the Australian countryside.
James Tandem
Typical of a 1930s tandem, this is of robust construction featuring an unusual convertible rear. By means of a moveable top tube it could be made to suit either a lady or gent. The double gent's frame design was considered to be stronger and less flexible than the ladyback design. There is a rear hub brake as well as two rim brakes.
Child's Tricycle Tandem
Children have not been overlooked. Many a child had a bicycle specially built by a doting parent, but Cyclops turned out thousands of bicycles and tricycles especially for children. This unique model was copied from the adult tandem which made cycling with a friend enjoyable, but with 3 wheels it was more stable and easier to control for a child.
Army Bike
The bicycle went to war. Built in Australia in 1939 with English and Australian parts. It features twin front forks, and was used by the Australian Army in World War II.
Delivery 1940s
Another application of the safety was for delivery purposes. This closed box type was used by ice cream vendors. Butchers and greengrocers preferred the two-wheeled machines with brackets on the front for baskets and boxes. Fish and chips and roast potatoes and chestnuts were also sold from these machines.
B.S.A. Free Flight (with engine)
B.S.A.'s first venture into the field of cyclemotor units favoured a powered wheel. The engine was a 48cc two-stroke, with cast-iron cylinder barrel and detachable, light alloy cylinder head. It had petrol lubrication.
A feature reflecting appreciation of the demands made by speeds higher than those normal for bicycles is the provision of a 9 1/2 inches diameter, internal-expanding brake in the hub casting.
The bicycle was capable of speeds up to 25 mph. Its fuel consumption averaged 135 mpg.
Moulton (Standard Mark I)
In 1959, British designer, Alex Moulton, developed his Moulton bicycle, the first major redesign in many years. The Moulton used a compact and simple suspension system that gave a smooth ride despite the small 16-inch wheels. The low centre of gravity created a lively response to the pedals and provided for carrying heavy loads with minimal effect on the handling. The F-shape frame and quickly adjustable seat and handlebar post made the Moulton equally suitable for men and women, youngsters and adults.
Frame tubes were flat sided, oval and tapering. A simple compression ring worked just above the front fork crown. The rear suspension enabled the rear wheel to react to bumps independent of the rest of the frame through a rubber compression spring, or pad as Moulton called it, which was located directly in front on the rear wheel. The chain stay was pivoted to the end of the down tube and was braced to the extended top tube.
Production discontinued in 1974.
Raleigh Grifter
This cycle was the result of modern design and research applied to the traditional safety bicycle in 1976 in the UK . The industry was trying to change the image of the bicycle and to modernise it. Production followed through until 1983 when it ceased. The Grifter was made for children but is a very heavy bicycle. Its different looking style was meant to capture the youth market. Note that the rear wheel is larger than the front wheel. The Grifter also came in various incarnations the most commonly known being the MK2 version with the longer rear mudguard.
Swing Bike
An unusual bike with a headset at each end of the bike which enables a skilful rider to ride with wheels parallel but not in line. The back wheel can be locked in position for normal riding.
Sling Shot
The most modern record breaking machines are recumbents. The rider sits in something like a chair and puts his feet out forward on the pedals. The pedal force reaction is taken not by the weight of the body but by the backrest.
1974 saw the beginning of the open-rule human-powered-vehicle (HPV) competitions. From then, the inventiveness of human-powered vehicle designers were given an incentive. All classes of races were being won by recumbent machines of a large variety of types, rewriting the technological history of this type of vehicle, and of bicycles in general.
May future histories record that new developments led to a new wave of popularity for human powered travel, one that will last longer than some of the crazes of the past.
Moulton
Moulton stopped manufacturing bicycles in 1972 and recommenced with this space-age frame in 1984.
This frame design gives it strength as well as lightweight production. The front suspension is adjusted to suit the rider's weight. The quickly adjusted seat and handlebar post makes the Moulton equally suitable for men and women, youngsters and adults.
This machine is designed for town use and incorporates an automatic two-speed gear hub. It changes on load. It can be demounted (not folded) and will fit into a bag of small enough dimensions to be accepted as hand luggage on both bus and train.
Disc Wheel
Around 1980 the East Germans introduced cycles having aerodynamic features and a stable construction.
During the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, the USA unveiled its '"Super Bike". The frame was designed to reduce frontal area and air drag, having thin narrow forks, narrow centre brackets, internal headsets, airflow features arid the paint was said to have 'slippery' aerodynamic qualities. The wheels were constructed differently, no protruding wheel nuts, spokes were flat and nipples were non-protruding. Fully covered disc wheels used Kevlar plastic for the sides. Some of these had two weights set diametrically opposite towards the centre of the wheel and as the speed increased the weights moved to the rims thereby providing an additional source of energy.
B.M.X. (Bicycle Moto Cross)
Another innovation is the sport of B.M.X. It consists of helmeted young riders speeding on light, strengthened, specialised bikes around purpose-built dirt tracks which include exhilarating jumps, swoops and banked turns. The frames and handlebars of the bikes are padded. Knobbly tyres give good grip and control. B.M.X. bikes are also popular for street and off road riding.
Bi Bici (Donkey Back)
This tandem has the rear seat over the back wheel, thus enabling the total length of the tandem to be the same as that of a single bike. This will be very convenient for transporting.
Semi-Recumbent Tandem
This provides for a very sociable way to travel. Both riders can see clearly and the front rider is free to use his or her hands to indicate directions, point to interesting sights (or cover the eyes) and take photographs.
Because the front cranks can slide on the tube, people of any size can use the front seat. It is a strong, ultraviolet resistant mesh hammock, with the tension adjustable over its entire length and is stretched over a high tensile tubular steel form.
The rear frame is deliberately short (15 1/2 inches) and has a long seat post with a quick release seat bolt so that nearly anybody can also use the rear seat.
Having the construction and equipment of a mountain bike, the tandem is very robust and solid. It is very suitable for touring. When travelling solo the large vacant seat is good for carrying parcels.
The 2002 Com Games symbolises England’s love of the game, if not always the result. In 1911 the Brits expected to trounce the colonies in the Festival of the Empire, the first recorded Games between Empire athletes (held to coincide with the coronation of King George V). To ensure success, only Australasia, Canada and South Africa were invited along, and British athletes far outnumbered all others. The Brits unequivocally stated what was at stake: the Games would “decide Empire supremacy”.
Canada won. And the standout performance came from an Australian, Harold Hardwick He won Australia’s first gold – in the 100yards swim – then backed up and delivered the knockout blow to take the heavyweight boxing title.
With the promise of free accommodation, food and travel grants, eleven nations competed in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
1938 Sydney hosted the third Games and Australia dominated the medal tally.
1950 Auckland, New Zealand
1954 Vancouver, Canada
1958 Cardiff, Wales. South Africa excluded all black athletes from its team. (South Africa left the Commonwealth in 1961)
1962, 1966, 1970, 1974, 1978, 1982
1986. Half the nations pulled out of the Edinburgh Games, protesting New Zealand’s sporting contacts with South Africa.
1990. Gold medals were won by Bermuda, Nauru, Jersey and Guernsey.
1994, the last for Hong Kong
1998. Malaysia became the first Asian country to host the Games, and introduced team sports, hockey, netball, cricket and rugby.
2002, Manchester, England. More than 5000 athletes from 72 nations competed.
Competitors in Cycling from the ACT were
Road (female) Margaret Helmsley
Track (female) Alison Wright
Mountain Bike (female) Mary Grigson
Road (male) Michael Rogers