Safety bicycle

As Sicherheitsniederrad (English bike safety ) of the penny-farthing bicycle following type was designated. The term should emphasize the significant differences at the higher and unsafe when riding unicycle. From the so-called from about 1880 Sicherheitsniederrad with two equal-sized, relatively small wheels was in today's conventional bicycle without significant changes. It has succeeded the Penny Farthing as the predominant type of bike, which is why the emphasis on safety advantage has become just like the name as " lower" rad anachronistic.

The Niederrad was facilitated by the introduction of the chain drive. The rotary tooth translation between cranks and the driven wheel speed increasing could be done without the large, fast forward rolling in direct pedal drive front wheel. The via chain drive to the rear leading pedal drive was positioned with the driver approximately midway between the wheels, thus steering the front wheel was no longer disturbed by the pedaling, and the already deep -seated driver was no longer fall at risk almost over one of the wheels.

Penny-Farthing driving was still art cycling, while the Niederrad became a means of mass transportation.

The Penny Farthing

In addition to tennis and mountaineering the high cycling was in the 1870s and 1880s as a fashion sport of the upper class. High wheels then spread quickly, but for the everyday and mass transportation, they were not. They were too expensive for the " little guy". Main disadvantage is that they are not easy to master because of the high center of gravity falls were not uncommon. With a unicycle you can not just stop, but must stay the same.

Development of Sicherheitsniederrads

Several manufacturers began in the late 1870s to construct safer bicycles. To this end, the first task was to place the center of gravity lower. A prerequisite was the development of functioning bicycle chains. Only with her could be a translation of crank rotation can be realized, whereby the driven wheel could be reduced. Also, the seat could move backwards, which further improved the position of the center of gravity. From the 1880s there were numerous extra low gears with two equal-sized wheels on the market. First, the cross frame (see figure) was used.

The Niederrad was only accepted as had been achieved with him about 1890 in cycling victories against high wheels. The view prevailed that this type of wheel is technically superior to the penny-farthing. In 1903 for the first time aligned Tour de France no high wheels, but only low- wheels were used. The development and spread of the Dunlop 's pneumatic tire are not disadvantaged by the smaller wheels on uneven ground, promoted the spread of Niederrad.

Developments

As a further development of the extra low gear the recumbent bike can be viewed. Because of its very low center of gravity of the recumbent rider can not fall over the handlebars practical. Has a positive effect also significantly reduced air resistance to the standard bike. However, the low driving position reduces road vision.

Swell

• Penny-farthing bicycle and safety. In: Wolfgang König (eds.): Propylaea history of technology. Networks, steel and power from 1840 to 1914. Berlin 1990, pp. 443-449, ISBN 3-549-05229-4

• Bicycle technology
• Type of bike