The above requirement is met in two ways: First, directly; that is to say, by working the muscles of the body to the best possible advantage; secondly, indirectly, by reducing the inorganic friction such as is found in the machine and in its action upon the road.
We shall attack first the reduction of direct organic friction by discussing the manner of applying the energy of man to revolve the wheel; his position and economy of power; and secondly, the reduction of the indirect or inorganic friction in the machine by regulating the size of the wheels and weight thereof, the jolt or jar, the friction of the parts one upon another, loss of momentum, and such other problems as may present themselves in the course of our discussion.
The terms used in this book hereafter will be largely arbitrary. Man-motor and locomotive carriages, velocipedes, unicycles, bicycles, tricycles, tandems, and all such terms will be included more or less in the broad terms “cycle” and “cycle-method.” Wherever any distinctive feature is to be made prominent, then such qualifying adjuncts or special terms will be used as express it.
In speaking of different styles of bicycles, we will adopt the name “Ordinary” for the prominent form of machine which is provided with a large wheel fifty to sixty inches in front, with a crank movement, and the usual fifteen- to twenty-inch rear wheel. The recent rear-crank driver, with the two wheels of about equal size, we will recognize as the “Rover” pattern, in deference to the people who first pushed it into the market and so named it. Other terms will be adopted which will be self-evident to all acquainted with the art.
Attention is called to the engravings in Part II. of this book, which will give an idea of the different forms of machines used in the art.
[1] Animal Mechanism, 65.
[2] J. Bell Pettigrew, M.D., F.R.S., F.R.S.E., F.R.C.P.E., “Animal Locomotion.”
[3] E. J. Marey, College of France, Academy of Medicine, “Animal Mechanism,” 1887, p. 1.
CHAPTER IV.
THE DIRECT APPLICATION OF POWER.