FAQ  -  Frequently Asked Questions

                                                                             :

A. I hope that your other metal detecting is more fruitful than the residue of the bell you've found here.

From what is left of it I'm convinced that the bell is nowhere near 100 years old, but most likely from the 1930s or 40s and absolutely of no significance historically except perhaps in the study of rust and corrosion.

 

Q. Didn’t Susan B. Anthony make some statement about women and the bicycle?   I couldn’t find anything about it in “Collecting & Restoring Antique Bicycles” by G. Donald Adams.

A. In reply to your inquiry about the Susan B. Anthony quote, here is the quote in full along with its source:

“Let me tell you what I think of bicycling,” Miss Anthony said, leaning forward and laying a slender hand on my arm. “I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel. It gives woman a feeling of freedom and self-reliance. It makes her feel as if she were independent. The moment she takes her seat she knows she can’t get into harm unless she gets off her bicycle, and away she goes, the picture of free, untrammeled womanhood.”

--Susan B. Anthony, interviewed by Nellie Bly
New York World, February 2, 1896

Women by that date were taking keen interest in bicycling and in the last half of the decade of the 1890s one-third of the world’s bicycle production was of ladies’ models.
I’m sure that Mr. G. Donald Adams did not use this quote in his book only because it was not of prime topic for his book's content.

Q. I read something about Elsa von Blumen from Rochester, New York being a very early woman bicycle racer, can you tell me more about her?

A. by Clary Burgwardt for Pedaling History Bicycle Museum in Orchard Park, NY:
Quote of Elsa von Blumen in The Bicycling World Vol. IV Dec. 16, 1881, page 11 as copied by S. Michael Wells in his article, “Ordinary Women: High Wheeling Ladies in Nineteenth Century America” used in November 1993 Wheelmen Magazine.
“In presenting myself,” she explained, “to the public in my bicycle exercises, I feel I am not only offering the most novel and fascinating entertainment now before the people, but am demonstrating the great need of American young ladies, especially, of physical culture and bodily exercise. Success in life depends as much upon a vigorous and healthy body as upon a clear and active mind. In my travels I daily see hundreds of ladies, and even gentlemen, with flat chests and narrow shoulders, and a shuffling gait, -- the result of neglecting the needs of the body. My experience as a bicycle athlete has beyond question saved me from a consumptive decline. In my rides while I am willing to compete in friendly rivalry not only with gentlemen but with horses, I will countenance no wagering or gambling. The respectability which have characterized my performances in the past will be maintained in the present entertainments; and believing that all lovers of health and physical vigor will award me their approbation and patronage.”

Q. I am a volunteer at the xxxxxxx Museum in xxxxx. Currently our Collections Committee got into the debate of whether to use donations to restore our bikes or to just try to preserve them in their current state from further deterioration. I would love another bicycle museum's opinion on the debate of restoration vs. preservation. Thank you for your time and I look forward to a response from you.

A. Every collector or museum has the same things to consider in regard to restoration vs. preservation and there is no "stock" answer to your question because every bicycle or item has its own rareness, personality, current state of -- shall we say -- "survival," as well as value and purpose to or in a collection. Also what must be considered is available funds and values of the bicycle (or other item) as-is, or after restoration It could be more or less, but probably restoration shouldn't be done or even considered if it would be of less value afterward. Add to all that perhaps a mission statement.

Another factor that enters the equation is "provenance." In most cases provenance is totally lost with restoration; but in only a few rare cases (with a bicycle) is provenance actually solidly documented, known, or of significant value.

There is no sense in preserving rust, corrosion, and dirt unless it represents something of provenance. Sometimes in doing so (not restoring) one does not even stop ongoing deterioration from continuing.

In few cases could the cost of restoration be justified unless the bicycle is so rare that there are no other examples of something particularly unusual. Add the cost of restoration to what the present value of the machine is "as-is" -- could you find a buyer to pay that much for it? In most cases the answer is NO. This is a true test. Generally the monetary cost of proper restoration can never be fully recovered except in justification for the restorer's purpose or goal.

So with all that preface, what's the right answer? It's different for every bicycle and for every collector or museum -- unless your mission statement contains provisions (not likely mentioned in detail in most mission statements).

Q. Can you tell me the history of the mountain bike front fork suspension?

A. The first manufactured and marketed "Mountain Bicycles" were made about 1980. Therefore, the history of "Mountain bike" front suspension fork development is really rather new since the first mountain bikes (1970s) were nothing more than American cruiser bikes of the 1950s (and in a few cases a bit earlier) that were modified and beefed up with heavier parts to use them in the new sport of downhill "rough" mountain trail biking in the late 1970s in Marin County, California. These first mountain bikes (a handful of them) were cloned, actually handmade by their riders from 1950s bicycles with suspension forks and strong frames. Since then, more rugged suspensions have been developed to accept the abusive challenges put upon the bicycle as the sport has gotten more and more aggressive.

Front and rear bicycle suspensions are far from new and can be found on hundreds of earlier bicycle models, as early as the 1880s, and before. Basically, however, much of the suspension design ideas existed on those bicycles that needed suspensions because the early roads were so poor. Over the years, as the roads were improved, there was little need for bicycle suspensions on road bicycles, so costs of the suspension features could be eliminated. Meanwhile, of course, the developing auto industry capitalized on the bicycle's suspension patents and ideas and incorporated them into automobile designs.

Q. Hello, found your site and it is great. My club here has been wondering something that you may know the answer to. We hold centuries 3 times a year and someone asked why a 100 mile bike ride is called a “century.” Do you know?

A. The term comes from the fact that the rides are 100 miles long and this reminds us of the more familiar Century -- 100 years. Century rides were first held in the 1880s by bicycle clubs and individuals riding the high wheel bicycles that were called the "Ordinary". The name for the ride was for completing 100 miles (like a Century -- 100 years) in a one-day ride. The rides were generally completed in less than 14 or 16 hours of daylight. At times the hours were extended, especially when some riders did back-to-back double centuries. Generally, recognition for the accomplishment was given in the form of certificates, medals, and trophies.

A century ride back then was quite a physical feat when one considers the then-available machines and the roads at the time. Today's roads and sophisticated bicycles would make it "a piece of cake" for those athletes using the machines of their day. Today, however, many of today’s Wheelmen Club members, riding the vintage bicycles of the 19th Century, still do many century rides using their old high wheel machines on our modern roads.

Q. Hello, I am inquiring on a certain bicycle history. Have you ever heard of the "Buffalo Soldier Bicyclists"? I was told that they were rugged men that traveled across country through hills and pastures and no roads on their bikes back in the early 1900s. Is there any truth to this claim? If so I would like to possibly read about them or even see a picture of these outstanding people. I would greatly appreciate it if you would reply to my question. If you don't have the answer, could you possibly connect me to a link that has these specific tales of the "Buffalo Soldiers"?

A. I have not heard the phrase "Buffalo Soldier Bicyclists" but what I think you may be referring to is the U. S. Army's Bicycle Corpes, a part of the 25th Infantry, that was known as America's Black Army on Wheels. They were a black regiment of sharpshooters, led by a West Point graduate, Lt. Moss. They did a bicycle ride from Missoula, Montana to St. Louis in 1897 to demonstrate that the bicycle could replace the horse for troop transport. The grueling event covered 2000 miles in about seven weeks and was quite well documented in various sources at the time.  A PBS video (available from our on-line store) is a good documentary of it.   

Q. I have an early child’s velocipede and would like more information about it. Could you please help me date it and tell me who might have manufactured it.

A. We receive many such inquiries and they are often far too general in information to offer any comments. In order to provide accurate information about a bicycle or velocipede we should see a picture or two to not only see the machine for proper identification , but to also be able to determine its condition. Further, the word velocipede is an “umbrella” word. Any bicycle is a velocipede.

A “velocipede” is a lightweight machine propelled by the rider - with the rider as the power source. The word goes back at least to 1800 or earlier.
- Any tricycle is a velocipede.
- Any quadricycle or unicycle is also a velocipede.
- A quadricycle can have any number of wheels.

The word “bicycle” did not exist until 1868 or 1869 when it first came into use. Prior to that words existed for monocycles, tricycles and quadricycles, all of which were velocipedes.

Q. I was wondering if you can tell me where I can find information of the first ever crossing of the USA from coast to coast on a bicycle. Who, when, what route, and so on.
A. The first person to cross America on a bicycle was Thomas Stevens, who not only was the first to cross America in 1884 but also the first to ride his bicycle around the world over the following two years. His log and diary are a fascinating read of history and determination in a re-published book of his 1880s adventure “Around the World on A Bicycle” by Thomas Stevens originally published in 1888.  [Reprint paper-back copies of the original two rare book volumes are now available from our on-line book store for only $24.95.]  Thomas Stevens feat of crossing of America on a high wheel bicycle has only been repeated by a few dozen cyclists since then, although every year countless cyclists accomplish the ride with great satisfaction on contemporary bicycles. Considering the lack of roads a century and a quarter ago this ride was an amazing effort comparable to our efforts in space exploration today.

Q. Why don't you have a Pedersen bike in your collection?
A. The Pedersen bicycle is a fine, noteworthy bicycle that we are certainly familiar with andrespect, and it has some nice design inovation and features. The reason we do not have a Pedersen bicycle in our collection is that our collection’s focus is "American" bicycles. 95% of our collection tells the American story, although we do also include the beginning story and the roots of the bicycle history along with a few selected unusual foreign machines. Just as most Continental museums have fewer American machines, we likewise have fewer foreign machines. It is not that they are necessarily more or less significant or innovative in the bicycle’s history.

Q. My daughter's assignment should be on an invention called kangaroo bicycle. We have not the slightest idea what this could be. Apparently we are not born in Australia. Thank you -- E & L

A. The Kangaroo bicycle is a high wheel safety bicycle that in the early 1880s put the rider closer to the ground. Because it was designed as one of the first with a chain drive, thus giving it gearing, it allowed the rider to be not only closer to the ground for safety - it also significantly decreased the rider's risk of doing a "header" (going over the handlebars in an accident). Because of the low squatty appearance, contrasted to the then more common elegant high wheel bicycles called the Ordinary, these bicycles were nicknamed the "Kangaroo." This bicycle design lasted only through the 1880s after which the safety bicycle with two equal sized wheels became popular; the same design we still use today.

Q. My husband and I were discussing the men’s and women’s bikes, as we just purchased new ones. The question popped up as to why men’s bikes had the bar straight across (possibly causing injury) and women’s were angled down... Just a curiosity!!!
A. It's really quite simple:
The ladies” bicycle frame was designed late in the 1880s to provide clearance for a woman's skirt.  Prior to that time bicycling had been primarily a men’s transportation and sport. With the change of bicycle design to a "safety bicycle" women were soon attracted to the use of the bicycle. This change was a major factor in the start of women's emancipation and also the change of clothing styles for women.  In changing the bicycle frame design for women it sacrificed some of the strength of the men’s strong diamond-frame design, but women were generally less aggressive, easier on a machine, and lighter in weight.

In today’s unisex society and modes this is easily forgotten.

Q. You should acknowledge in your history story that Leonardo da Vinci was the first to invent a two wheeled, chain driven bicycle. Tapes of his invention are available from the scientific journal, American Scientist. In time, I can look up my record and send you a copy of his bicycle. --M.J.W.

A. If it were true it would be here........
Unfortunately, the story and sketches [1492], allegedly by Leonardo da Vinci -- or one of his students -- are a hoax that dates back only to the 1970s. This is but one of many myths and more prominent claims of poorly researched bicycle history that are prevalent in various publications, published over many years, some by even of the best encyclopedias and reference sources. Not everything in print can be believed, even from some of the best-respected sources. Incomplete, inaccurate, or poorly researched history, once put in print, is difficult to erase and often becomes a myth confusing the public.

It is because of dozens of these myths that fifteen years ago a few astute contemporary bicycle historians started the International Cycle History Conferences (ICHC). Annual conferences since then have attracted dozens of scholarly historians from around the world who, working together, have begun to correct many errors, omissions, and myths of bicycle history through diligent research of original materials contemporary-to-the time of the event. The results of those conferences are now published annually and cover many topics, one of which was the “hoax of Leonardo.” This “discovery” of Leonardo’s “bicycle” did not occur until 1974 and was widely publicized thereafter. [ICHC - Conference #8, 1997 - Hans-Erhard Lessing / Germany].

Briefly, the sketches of Leonardo were apparently forged in the early 1970s when the original Leonardo Codex Atlanticus documents were being studied in an Italian monastery. Forged modifications were secretly made to them, adding to them lines that made original existing circles [wheels] that appeared on them to be part of what we see today in a form of a “bicycle”. The original documents had been seen earlier (and testified to that they were seen earlier) without those additional lines. This does not preclude many of Leonardo’s other early design sketches that remain accepted as true, but the “bicycle” was a forgery of early 1970s.

Somewhere in the future it is hoped that the ICHC’s efforts will be able to retract this and other of the poorly and inaccurately documented and published fabled bits of bicycle history through publication and press releases of conference discoveries. Still today, however, if one seeks to find the REAL inventor of the pedal bicycle he finds he has his choice of several claims - depending on his research source. This will perhaps be the “holy grail” of bicycle history when the ICHC resolves this once and for all and sets it straight for the record.

It is truly unfortunate that an invention that changed the world as much as the bicycle has done was not seriously, historically documented better from its inception -- even though the machine and its popularity and use revolutionized the world’s transportation and much of our society.

It was, and remains, just such a simple machine that changed the world dramatically.

Q. I bought a Raleigh Triathlon Bike (1990 )( Model 7288-10821) in England in 1990. It is in excellent shape and I would like to find out what the value might be. Could you please direct me to a publication or website that might help me? --A.B.

A. We do not follow values of such bicycles for several reasons. Being a more contemporary bicycle and one of more high production numbers it is not a bicycle of significant historical or collector value, although it is still remains a quality machine. I have always considered most Raleigh bicycles as the Volkswagen of bicycles -- a quality dependable machine but not an innovative leader.

Value of such a bicycle, as such, is nominal and more related to its service value to the owner/user. Just as most things depreciate, it does also, as newer features and technology become available and as new buyers are attracted to those features. There is generally also not a sustained market for such bicycles unless somehow they have a provenance of use or are in superior mint condition. Even then, that value is somewhat limited. While a few price guides for such bicycles have occasionally been offered in print none are, or have been, really considered valid, commonly used, or sustainable.

Q. We've even been asked....Why is the sky is blue?.........and so we'll help you with this answer as follows....

A.    For that answer check this website link....
            http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/atmos/blusky.html________

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

m