What characterized James Starley's 1871 invention described as the first gear cycle?
Answer
An early, fixed-ratio application likely increasing or reducing the drive ratio on a high-wheeler.
The context surrounding James Starley's 1871 claim positions it very early, predating the common chain-driven safety bicycle by more than a decade. Since the dominant machine of that era was the high-wheeler, Starley's geared cycle was likely an experimental application where gearing was used simply to alter the drive ratio from the standard 1:1 direct drive, perhaps as a reduction or increase. Crucially, without a system allowing the rider to change that ratio mid-ride, it was a fixed-ratio geared bicycle, not a multi-speed system as understood later.
Related Questions
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