The early builders laid the foundation for 99% of what is seen today. They were not deterred in the least by drivetrain complexity or hampered by poor quality materials or lack of machining skills. Take a look at commonly available triple or quadruple pacing bikes for racing or the Orient ten man "Oriten" (Google will get you pix) still preserved in the Ford Museum. Art Link,San Antonio,TX
Philcycles@aol.com wrote: From: Philcycles@aol.com Date: Thu, 14 Sep 2006 14:17:21 EDT Subject: Re: [CR]No KOF "Sociables"? To: theonetrueBob@webtv.net, classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
In a message dated 9/14/06 10:58:40 AM, theonetrueBob@webtv.net writes:
>I suspect their
>production may have also been hampered due to the complexity of the
>steering and drive mechanisms and of course the increased weight
>required - especially considering the very early components, tubing,
>etc., available in the late 1800s.
>
I think that you would be shocked if you ever inspected bikes and components
from a century ago. Some were very high quality indeed, a lot of them. Maybe a
higher percentage than today.
Phil Brown
San Rafael, Calif.