From the forward thrust on the old “[boneshaker]” velocipede of 1868, which was compelled by its structure, the cyclist next went to the nearly downward action on the “[high ordinary]” of 1878; this change was made to get speed by a larger wheel, and he had to sit near its centre in order to reach the pedal. The Facile, a lever-driving “safety,” which soon followed, had as its distinctive feature the most vertical position of driving ever obtained, and its maker was naturally very strenuous for that position, contending that on the Facile the rider was always and all the time “over his work,” with his pedal directly under him, where the [Ordinary] rider always tried to get but could not. This was strictly true, and although the same maker, under changed trade conditions, has since argued for a position considerably “behind the work,” this is not against his sincerity, for really there is considerable to be said on both sides.
It will readily be seen that the lever favors the “over-the-work” position, because the pedal can thus be placed at a distance from the driven axle; but rotary pedaling, as against the peculiar stroke of a lever, seems now fixed, if anything can be affirmed to be. With any type using two equal-sized wheels and rotary action, the rider must sit over the back wheel (as on the abandoned “Broncho” of a few years ago) or else substantially as on the present type. Then he must have some means of carrying his power back to the axle; what shall that means be? The foregoing analysis is partly to lead up to the issue between chain and no-chain, and partly to suggest how many and how important considerations are involved in the relative position of the saddle in the whole structure.
MODES OF POWER TRANSMISSION.
The crank-axle, and crank-bracket, the “heart” of the bicycle, is now the place where the power is first exerted, and from this it must be transmitted to the wheel. There are a number of possible methods of transmission, thus:
1. A leather belt.
2. A metallic band with holes to engage projections on the sprockets, or provided with projections to enter holes therein.
3. A chain.
4. A wire rope, with or without projections.
5. Clutch or ratchet action, at one or both ends, operated by a lever.
6. Lever and crank, with or without an oscillating fulcrum.