The automatic steering devices do not work as successfully on a bicycle as on the leading wheel of a tricycle. There are two principal plans which have been in use; in one of which a spring forces the steering-bar into a position for running straight ahead; the other plan for the same purpose consists in a V slot and pin. In the latter the weight of the rider keeps the wheel straight by forcing the pin into the bottom of the V slot, and it will rest there until forced out by the action of the handle-bar. Either of the above devices is objectionable in a bicycle, because the constant working of the steering-bar for the purpose of balancing is so continuous, as compared with that of steering pure and simple, that any force tending to hold it in any one position will soon tire the arms and make riding more laborious.
A new form of the rear-driving Safety was shown in the season of 1887, invented by a German. I give herewith a cut of the same, citing what he claims.
The “Rothigiesser” principle.
“Can be ridden any distance and on any road without using the handle-bar. The new principle—pedals on the rear wheel and saddle on the front wheel—is just the reverse of the construction of the ordinary bicycle, and is the only true principle for a Safety; the fault of the common rear-driving Safeties being that both saddle and pedals are fixed on the rear wheel, so that the front wheel must be controlled by the arms of the rider.”
I have tried the principle, but could not get much out of it. If there is anything in it at all it would be quite valuable; but I am inclined to the opinion that the inventor relied rather too much on his theory and not enough on actual practice. Notice that the handle-bar, trunk of the body, arms, and saddle are all within one system, there being no power to steer except in the action between the trunk and feet, instead of between the arms and trunk, as in other machines.
A new machine has been favorably noticed of late which strikes me as a modification of the German’s principle, or rather as a combination of that with the old plan of steering. In this device there is some motion between the saddle and the handles, as of old, and in addition thereto we find a motion between the saddle and the pedals, which is intended possibly to combine all of the good elements. The cut explains itself.
The “Rothigiesser” modification.
But to return to our mutton. The important features which have compelled us to recognize with favor this most homely and awkward-looking machine—the modern rear-driving Safety—are, first, the safety element, and, secondly, the advantage of being more nearly over the work, these two features including many minor characteristics. Then there are a number of independent peculiarities which can hardly be said to necessarily belong to this type of machine, but which are still adopted in it, such, for instance, as gearing up and down, foot-rests for coasting, etc. Until recently there did not seem to be any great fault in the machine except its looks, but a controversy has arisen which is not only extremely important but is so far unsettled; I refer to the discussion of the side-slip, which, in showing the number of explanations that different observers will give for the same set of facts, has been not unmixed with an element of the humorous.