| |
The Ordinary
A
major disadvantage of the boneshaker was the ratio between the wheel
diameter and the pedal crank diameter that restricted the speeds that it could
reach. Attempts to counter this were made by increasing the diameter of the
front wheel and the "Ordinary" was born. The size of the driving
wheel gave rise to a different spoke system - metal spokes in tension were used
to reduce the wheel weight and increase its rigidity.
The picture
shows an 1884 "Expert Columbia." The large front wheel made for faster
travel, but increased the instability of the bike, particularly for throwing
the rider in a 'header' over the front wheel. The pedal crank was slotted
to allow the pedal location to be adjusted for rider leg length, brake action
was onto the solid front tire, the saddle was sprung to increase comfort,
and a rear step provided a leg-up for mounting the bike. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
