Trolley from the beginning of the 19th century

It´s easy to believe, that the mecanics tried to improve the trolley, so that the rider didn´t have to ... with legs. French Pierre Michaux found in the 30´s of the 19. century a succesful solution in the form of cranks (pedals) on the front axe. He named his machine “velocipede”. Michaux´s velocipede was real mechanical mean of transport and meant definitive step forward. His glory wasn´t shrunk even by the fact, that the English had called it “boneshaker”. Its speed overtook the trolley without any problems. This could be witnessed by its victory in the memorable race in Saint-Cloud by Partis arranged 1868. This success brought Michaux´s many new contracts from the whole Europe, even from the America. First factory for bicycles in the world, named Michaux&Lallament, is arising. Soon arose others, above all in Britain. In this country were produced bicycle ..., frame from steel tubes and wheels made from wire. They started to use narrow tire made of gum instead of fellies (similar to today´s kočárek wheels).

Competitor on a high bicycle (1888)

During the time the experience has shown, that the more the front wheel bigger is, the longer is the distance for one “tread”. This led to the gradual enlarging of the front wheel and on contrary the rear wheel shrunk in sequence as far as the velocipede became its typical look. It was called “high bicycle”. The disered velocity was achieved that way, however the velocipede was very cranky and a fall from the high bicycle was a commonplace matter.

Tricycle “sociable”

High bicycle had a lot of faults, nevertheless the number of people riding a velocipede increased and race fever had soon come as well. However not everybody could ride on a high bicycle. For example women weren´t able to ride them at all, not to speak about children and elderls. In return there was a tricycle here. How did it look? The tricycle had eihter two big wheels in the rear and one small wheel in the front (it was called “sociable”), or it had two wheels one after another and third wheel alongside like a motorcycle with sidecar (this was called “rotary”). Tricycles were without any doubts very popular ( for its stability and also for the fact, that they could be ridden by two person), concerning the technical aspect it was a step back.

“ Kangaroo” with 2 chain gearings

First move to the bicycle can be seen in the construction, that extended the forks of the high bicycle and place two seperate chain gearings in them. This type of bicycle was called “kangaroo” and it soon has gained great popularity, because it turned up, that it is possible to achieve the same velocity as on the high bicycle with the right choosen gears. This type of bicycle was indicated ad “ safety bicycle”.

Low bicycle (1888)

In 1885 the first predecessor of a real low bicycle appeared: “Rover Safety”, made by William Sutton and John Starley. The only way how to prove the superiority of the low bike over the high one was a victory on a race course. Around 80´s in 19th century plenty of such victories were done. Some adherents of the high bikes couldn’t believe their eyes, when seeing the low rover – the low bikes were called so in general – driving in the goal straight as the first one.

The success of rovers was unambiguous. Also because in those times tyres were starting their victorious journey through the world.

At the break of the 19th and 20th century the technical arrangement of the bike (frame’s construction, conveyances and steering) was similar to the today’s arrangement. The only thing which the old bikes did not have were save brakes. In those times no freewheel existed. The conveyance lead to a firm axis of the back wheel and if this wheel was turning the pedals were turning too.

Bowden’s break and a speedometer

When going downhill the small brake on the front wheel (a rubber stump) wasn’t very effective. The only thing, that the rider could do was brakeing by retention of the rotating pedals. This was not comfortable and the driver couldn’t rest even when going downhill. M.Sc. Bowden was the one who helped to get over these difficulties. He invented an axial brake which effected the rim of the front and back wheel from both sides. This brake is known to all nowadays cyclists. A bit later a so called back brake spread in Central Europe and in America. It braked directly in the centre of the back wheel only by reverse pressing. (The producer called this brake “torpedo”.)

Until 1895 bikes were produced without any accessories, only some more expensive bicycles were equipped with a primitive lantern. At the beginning the bikes did not even had any fenders. What we call fenders was offered in the 19th century as a “linen protective belt against mud” and it took some years before fenders became a regular part of an ordinary travelling bike.

Military folding bicycle

The liking for bicycles made witty brains to adjust the ordinary bike to different purposes. And so a bike was even put on railway track and a donkey engine appeared – an inevitable means of transport used by railway workers for tracks´ inspection. The rise of a military folding bike was also accompanied with certain hope, this bike was carried by the soldier on his back. A bike equipped with floats was called “hydro cycle” and in some days it was widely broaden.

Chain “Simpson” with triangle lings from the end of the 19th century

A ride on a bicycle was a great experience, if headwind did not blow and when it wasn’t necessary to go uphill. Therefore the designers tried to remove or at least defuse these inconveniences with a gear. The basis of such gear is the fact, that when the cyclist is going downhill or is riding the bike on a plane then he can use the so called large gear without any problems. But when going uphill or against the headwind it us useful to use smaller gear. The cyclist does go slowlier, but he or she does not have to give off such great effort. The first mutable gear had only two speeds, first in the next few decades it was versatilely improved and the number of gears rose to three of four.

A two-speed gear (1898) with two chains

It looked as if the development of bicycles is finished. At the break of 70´s and 80´s of the 20th century another novelty appeared: mountain bikes. But also the “common” bikes are renewed. Those who predicted their end were mistaken: the liking for “cycles” is still great.

Ladie´s sporting bicycle (1948)