Earlier Bicycles?

[Doctor Horrible]

When is the earliest time you can get chain driven bicycles?

 

[Mark E.]

Modern bicycles appeared around 1885 and by the turn of the century, they overtook the high wheeler in popularity. The new bikes were called "safety bicycles" because the high-wheelers were prone to spilling over forward (a "header" in cyclists' terms) when the brake was applied.

As far as timing, the lack of smooth roads probably prevented the invention process. In fact, the League of American Wheelmen (now the League of American Bicyclists) lobbied for paved roads before the automobile drivers did. Back in the 16th century, Leonardo DaVinci drew what looked like a bicycle or tricycle, but the drive mechanism was vague.

 

[Thande]

You're probably right that the lack of paved roads was an issue: there's a reason why early bicycles were called boneshakers. But the basic frame idea, without a drive system or pedals, has been around since at least the seventeenth century.

 

[alt_historian]

You're probably right that the lack of paved roads was an issue: there's a reason why early bicycles were called boneshakers. But the basic frame idea, without a drive system or pedals, has been around since at least the seventeenth century.

Hell, my (cheap, suspension-less) modern bike can be something of a boneshaker at times... It gives your arms a workout as well as your legs!

Well then, we just need to have paved roads (and a reason for them) sooner...

 

[Thande]

Hell, my (cheap, suspension-less) modern bike can be something of a boneshaker at times... It gives your arms a workout as well as your legs!

Well then, we just need to have paved roads (and a reason for them) sooner...

I also have that effect on a modern bike when I have to go over cobblestones in Cambridge, and so many roads were cobbled back then.

The only reason to have paved roads, as far as I can see, is if you have a mainly-infantry army marching up and down the country all the time, like the Romans.

 

[The Dean]

Could they have appeared in Rome then?

 

[DuQuense]

Not sure about Chain driven, The tech to make Bike chains, is not all that simple.
However Direct, or Gear driven were more popular in the early years.
There were even several different type of Multispeed transmissions.

 

[carlton_bach]

Primitive pre-bicycles are possible at a very early stage (we don't exactly know how early, but presumably the chariot makers of the late Bronze Age had all the skills required to make a basic velocipede). Their usefulness would be extremely limited, though. Pushing a bicycle to the point of usefulness (ie making it decent, reliable transport even over relatively poor roads, rugged enough to be useable for routine travel in all weather and low-maintenance enough to be worth the outlay) requires a surprising amount of high technology, especially in terms of alloys and precision machining.

 

[The Dean]

So the Romans could have made a basic velocipede and used it?

 

[carlton_bach]

So the Romans could have made a basic velocipede and used it?

Sure, but for what? They really are no good for anything other than personal exercise and drawing amused looks.

 

[MrP]

Sure, but for what? They really are no good for anything other than personal exercise and drawing amused looks.

I can see Nero using one now. And then shoehorning them into the Olympics, of course.

 

[The Dean]

I can see Nero using one now. And then shoehorning them into the Olympics, of course.

A velodrome in the amphitheatre.

 

[carlton_bach]

A velodrome in the amphitheatre.

Chain-wielding gladiators on kickboards?

 

[oberdada]

Sure, but for what? They really are no good for anything other than personal exercise and drawing amused looks.

Where do you live?
There really great for personal transportation.
And Imagine Roman Legions guarding the Limmes with Bycicles on pawed roads.
Rome (the city) might expand further and be full of Rischkas.

 

[Tyr]

The main technilogical limitation isn't so much the lack of good roads as the lack of rubber to make the wheels from. You'd need to get rubber usage pushed forward quite a bit.

 

[carlton_bach]

Where do you live?
There really great for personal transportation.
And Imagine Roman Legions guarding the Limmes with Bycicles on pawed roads.
Rome (the city) might expand further and be full of Rischkas.

velocipedes? THey fall over half the time, you get lousy energy efficiency and can't go over even slightly rogh ground. We're not talking bicycles here, we're talking about whast the Romans could have built - no ball bearings, no metal spokes, wooden frame, no chain or pedals. Vintage 1810.

 

[The Dean]

Chain-wielding gladiators on kickboards?

Or chain-wearing female gladiators on kickboards.

 

[rewster]

I think this could have almost been done by the Romans:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/08/monocycle_light_wheels_in_beijing_olympics.php
Ben Wilson's design has no spokes, and the 1873 replica has no chain. Combine the two somehow and maybe they could have built something like it. Maybe leather strapping could make do in place of rubber wheels?

Also, I want one.

 

[carlton_bach]

I think this could have almost been done by the Romans:
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2008/08/monocycle_light_wheels_in_beijing_olympics.php
Ben Wilson's design has no spokes, and the 1873 replica has no chain. Combine the two somehow and maybe they could have built something like it. Maybe leather strapping could make do in place of rubber wheels?

Also, I want one.

It looks interesting, but how do you manage the friction? I can't see that being terribly efficient without ball bearings and oil.

 

[rewster]

It looks interesting, but how do you manage the friction? I can't see that being terribly efficient without ball bearings and oil.

Terribly efficient? No. It'd also be really heavy if made all out of iron or bronze. But that's why I said almost.