Bikes Flashcards
Who was credited for the invention of the bicycle?
le Comte de Sivrac.
What were the first bikes called?
The Velocipede.
What did Kirkpatrick MacMillan do in 1839 and why was it beneficial to the bicycle?
He invented the pedal drive, which allowed direct control to the wheel.
What was the theory behind the penny-farthing?
The larger diameter front wheel allowed more distance to be traveled for every cycle of the pedals.
Why was the penny-farthing considered dangerous and unsafe?
The larger front wheel made it difficult to control and braking heavily normally sent the rider over the handlebars.
What was the solution to the penny-farthings front wheel?
A chain driven rear wheel allowing both wheels to be the same size. This was called the safety bycicle
What did the pneumatic tyre have that the previous did not?
It was pressurised with air or gas rather than being solid rubber.
How many components were the early bicycles made from?
Around 300. Most bicycles were manufactured by specialist firms.
What was an improvement to the materials of the bicycle that was largely being used by the 1960’s
High strength aluminium alloys were replacing materials such as iron, steel and wood.
What did the new derailleur system do in the 1990’s?
It offered different sized gears which allowed for various power/speed ratios.
