Technology

The History of the Bicycle

In 1817 the first bicycle appeared. It was called the walking machine because it didnt have a drive train. A drive train consist of a bottom bracket, a crank which has two arms where the pedals connect to, sprocket, chain, pedals, and a rear hub. It was designed by Baron Von Drais. It was used to get around from one place to another quicker than walking. It had all the main components of a bike.

In 1865 the Velocipede Emerged. It was the first "Pedal Bike" yet the crank was not connected to the back wheel. The crank was connected directly to the front wheel. The bike was made of wood and later on had metal tires. The bike became a fad and was found in rollar rink types of areas. The pedalling system resembled that of a childs tricycle. In 1870 the first all metal bicycle with rubber tires was produced. It still had the the front wheel pedal system but featured a much larger front wheel for a smoother ride. Of course the larger wheel also became a hazard because if you would hit a bump or rut the rider would flip causing injury. inventors realized that if you had a larger wheel in the front you would travel alot further alot quicker. Wheels could be made as large as your leg would allow. This was considered the first "bike" and was usually only ridden by men due to the risk of serious injury.

In 1885 the safety bike was created. This bike was one of the first to feature a crank with a chainwheel connected to a rear hub. The tires were also the same size which helped with the safety of the rider. Most bikes featured a front and rear suspension. The bike was created by an Irish man who was trying to find a more comfortable ride for his sun who had been complaining that the high wheeled bike had been shaking and hurting his body from the stone roads and flipping it. The derailer would later be invented and different size sprockets would be built together and used to help make pedaling up hills, across, plains, and down hills easier.

For almost a hundred years bikes had been experimented with and changed drastically. In the 1960's the racing bike appeared. The bike was light weight for the time. It consisted of three speeds orginally used in England, the wheels were were very large to cover more ground, where as the tires were very thing and not made for off road use. The bikes became an immediate trend. Millions were sold due to the popularity, gasless efficiency, and for the health benefits. The bike quickly became a sport that people didnt only enjoy to watch, but also to participate in. Ten speeds quickly became popular and during the seventies it seemed to be the main source of transportation for many young adults and teens. The bikes consisted of two derailers, a light weight frame, bullheaded bars,

In the 1970s BMX came into the scene. Kids resembling Motocross riders built jumps out of dirt and wood and copied the tricks they saw their favorite MX stars attempting. BMX racing followed the ten speed racing, just on a dirt track. Bike were built with rear brakes and 20 inch wheels. Many riders would eiather ride their seats high or "slammed" meaning the seat the whole way down to the seat tube in the frame. Over the next 30 some years the scene would change drastically. Mountain bikes came around in the early 80's. The mountain bike consisted of a vairety sizes of wheels, most with derailers, a full or half suspension, and all terrain tires. The mountain bike was designed for those who wanted the thrill of flying around off road, up and down hills, through woods, and rocky terrain. The mountain bike became a trend just like the rest of the previous bikes and before long races, freestyle competitions, and all terrain races were happening.

BMX and Moutain bikes saw many changes over the next few years. Riders started riding in skateparks, on the streets, and in parking lots. Pegs were introduced. Pegs are round peices of metal about 4 inches long designed for sliding up and down rails, across ledges, for flatland use, and even a trick on park and trails called a peg grab. Street riders found many obsticals and places where they could create variations of many different tricks. In the early 90's the Xgames was created. it consisted of Vert ramps, Trails, and flatland competitions. Dave Mirra is a favorite of the park and vert competitions. In the past 5 years BMX has came a long way. Many new parts that have changed the way many riders ride. Weight has been a serious issue over the past 3 years and many different and inovative parts have been tested and produced. Frames, forks, bars, pegs, seatpost, seats, and axles have been created with many cut outs to save weight. Of course this has caused a problem and many frames after serious abuse crack or snap. BMX has become a problem in many cities where riders have no where to go so they take it to the streets. Most of the time riders are tresspassing and destroying private property. Xgames street was recently added to the Xgames where Garrett Reynolds dominated. A camp called Woodward was opened in central Pennsylvania. The camp is open to the public for a week. Riders can attend for a week and ride with various professionals. During the winter the camp is used as a training ground for pros getting ready for the Xgames and Dew Tour. s