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The bicycle is a favorite mode of transportation in some parts of the world. In some cases, it is lighter and more useful than a car. But how did this invention come about? Who thought of it first? Read this article to learn about the history and construction of the bicycle.
The first predecessor of the bicycle that exists is a wooden horse developed in the 1700’s in France. A toymaker came up with the idea of placing a wheel on the bottom of this horse, so that a child could propel himself forward with his feet. After this creation, in 1817, the German Baron vonDrais invented a machine with a front wheel that could be steered. The machine also had a back wheel, but no pedals. He invented the machine to help him move around the Royal Gardens when he was in a hurry. He would walk himself along rapidly, sometimes placing his legs up to the side of the bike to glide. His machine rapidly made him very popular, albeit the butt of a few occasional jokes.
In 1865, two new forms of the bike came about. The Velocipede, or a bike with a huge front wheel and pedals, came into being. It also existed in the same format with two wheels behind it, as a tricycle. This machine was very large and clunky, prompting most riders to stretch themselves almost completely over the bike to ride. One reason that the bike was hard to ride was the fact that it was made of wood. Two, and sometimes three, wooden wheels clattering over cobblestones and dirt roads often led to riders falling off and getting injured. For this reason, bikes were often ridden indoors, in certain buildings created for this purpose. These buildings later became the basis of the modern-day roller skating rink.
Bikes were very ungainly until the 1900’s, when metal was used and wheels were not so large. With the creation of rubber tires, gears and brakes that would address both wheels, the bike became much easier to ride. Windows were placed onto bikes so that riders could see in front and behind themselves as they rode, and gears made it possible for wheels to turn more than once with every rotation of the pedals. This bike also became motorized, and eventually the motorcycle was created, spanning a new line of small, easy-to-ride machines, or bikes with motors.
The motorcycle, which is technically a motorized bicycle, has its own chapter in the history of the bike. In a way, it can be considered the modern bicycle. The motorcycle actually came about as a training vehicle for bike racers. In the early 1900’s, an American engineer named Oscar Hedstrom built a “pacer,” or an engine-powered two-wheeler that he used to train bicyclists for marathons. The first motorcycles came about when an entrepreneur named George Hendee established a plant to build more pacers. In 102, the first single-cylinder motorcycles were produced. Once this invention became known to the outside world, motorcycle manufacturers sprung up quickly. Over twenty manufacturers have opened their doors by 1910! The first company headed by Hendee, called “Indian,” has now been surpassed by other companies like Harley-Davidson today.
A variation of the bicycle is the unicycle, which instead of having two wheels, has one. There is also a tricycle, a quidricycle, and even a novecycle! The unicycle is actually the descendant of a bicycle, known as the penny-farthing bike, or a bike with a small rear wheel and larger front wheel. When riders braked fast on this bike, sometimes they could travel on the rear tire along, if balanced correctly. Early unicycles were extremely large, and about the same size as the back wheel of this original bicycle.
The accepted view is that the unicycle came from the penny-farthing bicycle, which had a large front wheel and a small rear. The unicycle is especially popular in France, where it was patented for the first time, because it is used in circuses and children’s exhibitions. The unicycle requires exceptional balance, stamina and patience. Riders admit that it takes half a year to learn to ride in a straight line, and a year to learn how to do turns.
So in conclusion, the bicycle today has many different forms. There is the racing bike, the toy bike, the mountain bike, the unicycle, the tricycle…you name it, it probably exists. The ten-speed is a particular favorite around the world, even in Asia and some parts of Africa, because it moves very easily in cities. Certain bikes exist that allow the rider to sit back in a chair and pedal, and bikes have also been carefully fashioned for the male and female form. There are even bikes for three to four people!
Because the bicycle has such an interesting and strange history, it is not surprising to realize that bicycles are often collector’s items. Some are worth hundreds of thousands of dollars! The market does not stop there. Wheels, pedals, tires, reflectors and seats of worth can also be sold at high prices, if they are old enough. Some of the most popular collector’s bikes are:
Cruisers: These are bikes from the fifties and sixties, with fat tires. These are usually single speed, and bulky in comparison to a ten-speed. They are worth quite a lot, nonetheless, so if you have on in good condition, consider selling it.
Stingrays: These are smaller, funkier bikes from the 1960’s that are coming into vogue.
Penny farthings: Older bikes with a small rear wheel and a big front wheel. Although these are usually popular, they can be hard to ride, so consider selling to a museum.
High-wheelers: Bikes with extremely high wheels and brakes, with think frames. Popular in Europe.
Schwinn-Krate: This brand name bike form the 1960’s is a five-speed. It also has a suspended fork and a larger back wheel than front. A comfortable ride, if used carefully.
Racers: These are European racing bikes, thinner, with slight tires. Depending on what the bike was used to win, it can make you thousands.
So get out there and collect! With such a fascinating history, bikes deserve their spot in the collector’s arena. Whether it has ten wheels or one, you’re bound to have a good time.
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