How bicycles are built

[indalo]

For as long as I can remember, bicycles have always looked pretty much the same apart from handlebar type and crossbar or ladies' frame style.

Have things ever been different, (penny-farthing excepted) in regard to the way other parts are fitted? In particular, I'm curious as to the placement of the chain wheel, chain and associated gears on the right side of the centre line if seated on the bike. Has the transmission always been on that side or has it ever been sited on the other side by particular manufacturers or particular countries? I'm thinking brake lever placement here too.

Are there reasons why this commonality occurred in bicycle evolution?

Somebody must know the history and no, I haven't searched the net...yet!

Indalo

 

[Blew it]

Right-handed riders generally mount and dismount on the left side of the machine. The chain drive is on the opposite side so that the riders legs do not come into contact with the oily chain when walking with the machine.

In those early days before modern dry lubes, the chain would have been lubricated with all manner stuff, including tallow, cart-axle grease and anything else that would stop the chain from squeaking.

Not sure about brake levers, but probably for some obscure reason not readily obvious to modern cyclists

Regards
Bob

 

[flecc]

Yes, I'm sure the transmission has to do with the 90% right-handedness. I've read extensively on bicycle history over many years but have never seen a reason given for the r/h position. The safety bicycle that we are familiar with was invented by English engineer Henry Lawson and the transmission has always been on the right since then, including the odd shaft or belt drives that have appeared.

Brake levers have always been handed, front brake lever on the right in the UK, on the left on the continent. No doubt that's linked to the side of the road ridden on and the safety of control related to that. When hand signalling a turn across the traffic, using the predictable back brake is considered safest.

Of course we both ride on the right side of the road, only our UK right side means correct side.
.

 

[indalo]

Right-handed riders generally mount and dismount on the left side of the machine. The chain drive is on the opposite side so that the riders legs do not come into contact with the oily chain when walking with the machine.


Regards
Bob

Ah! This mounting bit has come up before in another thread and although I'm right-handed, I mount and dismount on the right side of the bike which makes me slightly odd. I note you did say, "generally" so, presumably, I'm not the only odd one in that. When I walk alongside my bike, I feel equally comfortable on either side. Had I been "normal", perhaps I'd have realised about the oily chain risk.

Maybe somebody else will come along with a logical explanation of why the front and rear brake levers are as they are but it seems that the bicycle is and possibly always has been more of a universal entity than carts, wagons and their spawn, the motorised vehicle.

Thanks for that insight Bob

Regards,
Indalo

 

[indalo]

Brake levers have always been handed, front brake lever on the right in the UK, on the left on the continent. No doubt that's linked to the side of the road ridden on and the safety of control related to that. When hand signalling a turn across the traffic, using the predictable back brake is considered safest.

Of course we both ride on the right side of the road, only our UK right side means correct side.
.

I didn't know that bit about brake lever placement flecc. Can I presume then that, using my Dutch bike as example, the manufacturer alters the brake lever placement in accordance with the particular market in which the bike is sold to ensure conformity?

Regards,
Indalo

 

[flecc]

I didn't know that bit about brake lever placement flecc. Can I presume then that, using my Dutch bike as example, the manufacturer alters the brake lever placement in accordance with the particular market in which the bike is sold to ensure conformity?

Regards,
Indalo

Good retail suppliers do change over the levers of continental bikes for the UK market to ensure safety. Where bikes are supplied by the continental manufacturer for the UK, they are installed for us correctly at manufacture.

Occasionally some leak in without conversion and this has been referred to once in a while in here.
.

 

[Alex728]

I'm left handed but have always got on from the left hand (conventional) side and never had any difficulty in this (or even given it any thought until now!)

 

[indalo]

I'm left handed but have always got on from the left hand (conventional) side and never had any difficulty in this (or even given it any thought until now!)

I knew nothing of this tendency or natural predilection before joining this forum but some of us are odd or non-conformist for whatever reason. One of my sons bats very well left-handed at cricket yet has a single-figure handicap playing right-handed golf. Although I'm right-handed, when I boxed, I preferred to fight as a southpaw as I always felt better-balanced and quicker that way.

If I want to lift something really heavy using one hand, I'll use my left but my right hand is the one I write with and the one with which I perform most common, everyday tasks. Strange or what?

Regards,
Indalo

 

[Blew it]

I wouldn't say it was strange, more to do with Ambidexterity

 

[flecc]

Indeed, although there's always some bias to a side, many are really ambidextrous.

 

[timidtom]

I'm left handed but have always got on from the left hand (conventional) side and never had any difficulty in this (or even given it any thought until now!)

I too had never given this any thought - just assumed that when Adam built the first bike the frame was that side up on the fine turf of Eden. If it had been lying the other way up would we now all be riding backwards? (Nurse, is it time for my tablets?)
I'll get me coat ...
Tom