
audiobook
by Alex Schwalbach, Julius Wilcox
THE MODERN BICYCLEAND ITSACCESSORIES
PREFACE.
CHAPTER I.EVOLUTION OF THE BICYCLE—1816 TO 1899.
CHAPTER II.THE CHAINLESS WHEEL.
CHAPTER III.CHAINLESS vs. CHAIN.
CHAPTER IV.FRAME AND FORK CONSTRUCTION.
CHAPTER V.CHAIN PROTECTION.
CHAPTER VI.THE CHAIN AND ITS FUNCTIONS.
CHAPTER VII.HUBS, SPOKES AND RIMS.
CHAPTER VIII.EVOLUTION OF THE TIRE.
The book offers a sweeping survey of bicycle technology from the first wooden draisines to the sophisticated chain‑driven machines of the late 1890s. Written for riders, shopkeepers and independent builders, it blends historical narrative with hands‑on technical detail. Full‑page illustrations accompany every major development, letting listeners picture each frame, gear and accessory.
Readers can explore every major component, from early bone‑shakers and ordinary rear‑driver designs to the newest chainless and bevel‑gear models. Detailed sections cover frames, fork crowns, wheel rims, hubs, sprockets, chains, cranks, pedals, saddles, handlebars, brakes, lamps and even emerging motorised experiments. Measured diagrams show dimensions, materials and adjustment procedures, making the guide a practical workshop reference.
For anyone fascinated by the evolution of two‑wheel transport, the book provides a clear roadmap to the engineering choices that shaped modern cycling. Its organized layout and concise explanations help auditors compare competing designs and plan restorations with confidence. Listeners will come away with a richer appreciation of how a simple machine became a finely tuned piece of machinery.
Language
en
Duration
~10 hours (615K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by deaurider, Paul Marshall and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive)
Release date
2018-12-09
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
A late-19th-century writer associated with cycling journalism, he co-authored a detailed guide to the bicycle boom at the end of the 1800s. His surviving work offers a close-up look at the technology, accessories, and enthusiasm that shaped early modern riding.
View all booksBest known today for a late-19th-century guide to cycling and an earlier essay on the history of the piano, this little-known writer moved across several fields with curiosity and range. His surviving work suggests a practical, observant mind drawn to how things are made, used, and improved.
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