"Bluecold" (Bluecold)
04/16/2014 at 17:43 • Filed to: bikelopnik
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"Bluecold" (Bluecold)
04/16/2014 at 17:43 • Filed to: bikelopnik | 1
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This has been uploaded by Google books. It's the foundation upon which bicycles are built. Also, it will thoroughly humble anyone claiming innovation in bicycle land. Bamboo frames are discussed. Lever drive is discussed. Tubeless radial tires are discussed.
Even if you don't like bikes, keep in mind this was the giant whose shoulders Wilbur and Orville Wright stood on when they built the Wright Flyer. Download it. Scroll through it. Just nice to see what was seen as fruitful and what not. For example: elliptical chainwheels are discussed, but derailleurs are not. Hub gears are ridiculed and bottom bracket gearboxes are discussed in a lot of detail. The drawings are ace as well.
https://ia600204.us.archive.org/0/items/bicycl…
RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> Bluecold
04/16/2014 at 17:48 |
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China, et al appear to have borne out hub gears pretty well, but for some reason they never seem to have caught on here.
ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
> Bluecold
04/16/2014 at 17:49 |
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Pro Fact: The bicycles we refer to today are actually "safety" bicycles.
Ordinary bicycles, also known as Penny-farthings among other names, featured one large wheel in front, with a smaller wheel in rear. These are not easy to ride, and would often result in the rider falling forward over the handle bars in what is called taking a header.
The safety bike eliminated the risk of falling forward, and also allowed for women to ride bikes.
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Bluecold
> RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
04/16/2014 at 18:11 |
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China et al? I think you mean the UK and the rest of mainland Europe where city bikes are used. The 3 speed Sturmey Archer still reigns supreme. Either way, the reason is quite simple. If you see the bike as a form of sport or an activity instead of a mode of transport, the rear hub does not make sense since they are less efficient than derailleur gears. And also, americans are obsessed with numbers. 10 gears is more than 3.
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RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht
> Bluecold
04/16/2014 at 18:17 |
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I cited Asia because by numbers, three-speed hub gear bikes crush other types of multispeeds worldwide because of their adoption there in the millions. Ultimately, European use preceded that and is widespread, but that's a drop in the bucket compared to the overall totals, I believe, simply because there are so inconceivably many where the car doesn't rule. As your point (utility vs. sport/hobby) would support.