HISTORY OF TRICYCLES

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HISTORY OF TRICYCLES

The first tricycle was built in for a German paraplegic named Stephan Farffler, who lived near Nuremburg. He was a watch-maker and the tricycle had gears and hand cranks.

Two Frenchmen, named Blanchard and Maguier invented a tricycle in , which prompted the Journal de Paris to coin the words &#;bicycle&#; and &#;tricycle&#; and publish them on July 27th to differentiate between the two types of machines. Denis Johnson patented a tricycle in England in , and a three-wheeled swiftwalker was introduced in .

On November 18, , James Starley introduced the Coventry Lever Tricycle, a side-driven two-track, lever-driven machine, and that started the tricycling craze in Great Britain. It had two small wheels on the right side, that both steered simultaneously. A large drive wheel was on the left side. In , he introduced the Coventry Rotary, one of the first rotary chain drive tricycles.

In , twenty types of tricycles and multi-wheel cycles were produced in Coventry, England, and by , there were over 120 different models produced by 20 manufacturers. Tricycles were used especially by those who could not ride high wheelers, such as women who were confined in the long dresses of the day, and short or unathletic men.

From to in Great Britain, more tricycles were built than bicycles, but this was primarily a class phenomenon, since tricycles were more expensive, perceived as more genteel, and the upper classes had the disposable income to buy them for the women in the family. As a result, tricycling remained popular in Great Britain long after riders turned away from them elsewhere. They even had regular racing.

By the s, that was no longer true, and many British manufacturers stopped making them.
In the United States, tricycles are used primarily by older persons for recreation, shopping, and exercise. In Asia and Africa, tricycles are used primarily for commercial transportation.

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The tricycles produced from to , of which Starley&#;s Coventry Rotary is the most famous example, are considered first generation tricycles, and showed a wide variety of inventiveness as the best design was sought. There were many two track tricycles with side steering built to operate on rutted doubletrack roads.

By , the second generation of tricycles had appeared. The Humber Cripper, named for professional racer Robert Cripps, was typical. It had the modern pattern of two rear wheels with a front wheel bisecting their track. Front wheels were usually about 18 to 24 inches in diameter, the rear wheels were usually about 40 inches. The wheelbase was about 32 inches, as was the track width, and they weighed about 75 pounds, although racing models were about 40 pounds.

The third generation of tricycles are like today&#;s, and the Starley Psycho was one of the first. All of its wheels were of equal size, in this case, 28 inches. By however, the pneumatic tired safety bicycle took away most of the tricycle business since it provided an adequate amount of stability for most riders. Except for having modern bicycle components added, the tricycle has not really evolved in any substantial way since the turn of the 19th century.

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TRICYCLES v BICYCLES = CARS v MOTORCYCLES

It&#;s interesting to note the social competition between bicycles and tricycles in the late 19th century because, of course, these two modes of transport, though closely related at the beginning, soon developed separately into vehicles with an even greater social divide &#; motorcycles and cars.

Bicycles in this era were &#;high wheelers&#; (penny farthings), and to ride them required some athletic ability. They were the preserve of fit, adventurous rich men. When tricycles first came onto the market they were considered suitable only for old folks or timid cyclists. But, within only a few years, tricycle design had developed sufficiently to compete with the high wheeler, and tricycles had become extremely fashionable. As well as being much safer on the road, the advantage of being able to carry luggage (and, in later models, a passenger) on a tricycle certainly contributed to the development of the car.

Says David V. Herlihy in Bicycle: By the late s, the speed gap between two- and three-wheelers had narrowed to only about two or three miles per hour, and the fashionable circles of Britain took note. Under the headline &#;Tricycles Coming to the Front&#; The World of London reported in : &#;There is quite a rage for tricycling this season at Brighton. Owing to the marvelous perfection attained in steel work, tricycles are now produced, combining great strength with extreme lightness. The mode of propulsion having also been greatly improved, they have become a fascintaing and exhilarating means of exercise and locomotion. Ladies have taken to them, doctors do their visits on them, and tradesmen circulate their goods by them.&#;

In , Queen Victoria purchased a pair of tricycles, increasing their popularity further, particularly among ladies, and tricyclists soon had their own magazines and clubs. The front-steering lever-drive tricycle was the most popular of various designs available. You can clearly see how women could ride them without the need to amend their costume, perhaps the most important consideration of the time.

Whereas bicycle clubs and runs tended to focus on competition, tricycling events were a social affair, often involving a parade around town followed by tea. Tricycles were more expensive, so tended to a more upmarket clientele. Tricycle enthusiasts soon started to look down on cyclists, especially as secondhand high wheelers were by now in the hands of lower-class youths, removing their snob appeal.

Promoted as touring machines, tricycle manufacturers were keen to demonstrate their practicalities. In , Mr A. Bird rode a Humber tricycle from Birmingham to Cambridge. The distance quoted is 222 miles, so I assume this must have been a return journey, and Mr Bird completed it in 24 hours, only 20 miles less than the bicycle record of the time.

The chain drives of these tricycles inspired inventors to innovate further. Development of chain-driven &#;safety&#; bicycles led to the display of the Rover Safety at the Stanley Show, and bicycles suddenly changed &#; that design remains more or less the same today. High wheel bicycles and tricycles soon became obsolete, and enormous demand ensued for the revolutionary new, cheaper, safer, faster, and much more ridable bicycles.

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During their brief reign high-wheel tricycles had an enormous influence on society, capturing the public imagination not only in Great Britain where they flourished but around the world too. As a result, bicycles, tricycles and, within 20 years, motorcycles and cars, were firmly implanted on the roads of the world. These tricycles are still considered to be the &#;aristocrats&#; of the veteran cycling world.

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[Thanks to Bicyclopedia for the history of tricycles &#;

http://pwp.starnetinc.com/olderr/bcwebsite/text/t/tricycle.htm#tricycle]

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When it comes to 3 wheel bikes for adults, wheel size plays a crucial role in determining the overall riding experience. Larger wheels provide enhanced stability and a smoother ride, making them a popular choice for those seeking maximum comfort. However, smaller wheels offer maneuverability and better control, which can be advantageous in crowded areas or tight spaces.

Consider your intended use and personal preferences when selecting the wheel size for your 3 wheel bike. If you prioritize comfort and plan on taking longer rides, larger wheels would be a suitable option. On the other hand, if you anticipate frequent stops or need to navigate through narrow pathways, smaller wheels might be more advantageous.

Let's delve deeper into the advantages of larger wheels on a 3 wheel bike. With their increased diameter, larger wheels have a greater contact patch with the ground, distributing the rider's weight more evenly. This results in a smoother ride, as the larger wheels can absorb more of the bumps and vibrations from the road or trail. Additionally, larger wheels have a higher rotational inertia, meaning they maintain their momentum better, making it easier to maintain a steady speed.

On the other hand, smaller wheels have their own set of benefits. One advantage is their improved maneuverability, especially in tight spaces. The reduced wheelbase allows for tighter turns and easier navigation through narrow pathways or crowded areas. Smaller wheels also tend to be lighter, contributing to a more agile and responsive ride. This can be particularly advantageous for riders who need to frequently stop and start, such as in urban environments with traffic lights or busy intersections.

When selecting the wheel size for your 3 wheel bike, it's important to consider your own personal preferences and riding style. If you prioritize comfort and stability, larger wheels would be a suitable choice.

They are ideal for riders who enjoy long, leisurely rides and value a smooth, plush ride. On the other hand, if you prefer a more nimble and agile ride, smaller wheels might be the better option. They excel in crowded areas and are perfect for riders who need to navigate through tight spaces with ease.

Ultimately, the choice of wheel size for your 3 wheel bike depends on your individual needs and preferences. It's worth considering the type of terrain you'll be riding on, the distance you plan to cover, and the level of maneuverability you require. By carefully evaluating these factors, you can make an informed decision and choose the wheel size that will provide you with the best riding experience. Generally here are the different wheels sizes available on an adult tricycle:

16" Wheels: Usually reserved for folding tricycles. The smaller wheels are easier to transport and can fit in the back of a car. Not great for longer tricycle rides but perfect if you want to transport your trike and take a ride at a certain location.

20" Wheels: Also usually on a foldable tricycle but can also be on standard tricycle. Not great for long rides because it will cause your legs to work double time. But perfect for short rides under five miles and navigating in tight spaces.

24" Wheels: Very common on a tricycle for adults. They are small enough to make mounting and dismounting easy but have a large enough diameter so they role easy on pavement. Can be taken on longer rides of 10 miles or even more.

26" Wheels: Great for long trike rides where you want to get a lot of roll out of the three wheels. The large diameter will roll smooth and easy on pavement. As you pedal the wheels will glide across the pavement because of the large diameter.

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