The American Bicycler

By Charles E. Pratt187914 chapters24 images

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Contents

• Greeting (opens in a new tab)

  Author's introduction welcoming observers, learners, and expert cyclists to the manual.
• Historical Sketch: Velocipedes (opens in a new tab)

  Traces the origins of human-powered wheeled vehicles from the Draisine through the velocipede era.
• The Bicycle (opens in a new tab)

  Describes the modern bicycle's design, types, and characteristics as of 1879.
• Manufacture, Parts, Points of Wheel (opens in a new tab)

  Detailed account of bicycle construction, components, and how to evaluate a machine's quality.
• Mechanics of the Machine (opens in a new tab)

  Explains the mechanical principles underlying bicycle motion, gearing, and efficiency.
• Suggestions for Learners (opens in a new tab)

  Practical step-by-step guidance for beginners on mounting, balancing, and riding a bicycle.
• Riding and Racing (opens in a new tab)

  Covers road riding technique, racing strategy, and the competitive cycling scene of the late 1870s.
• Laws and Courtesies of the Road (opens in a new tab)

  Reviews legal rights of cyclists on public roads and the etiquette expected of wheelmen.
• Roads (opens in a new tab)

  Surveys the condition of American roads and their suitability for cycling travel.
• Races, Courses, Time, &c. (opens in a new tab)

  Catalogues important race courses, records, and timing standards for competitive cycling.
• Clubs, Rules, Meets, and Runs (opens in a new tab)

  Documents the organisation of cycling clubs, their rules, regular meetings, and group tours.
• Review of 1878 (opens in a new tab)

  Annual summary of notable cycling events, races, and developments in America during 1878.
• Foreign Summary (opens in a new tab)

  Overview of cycling news and progress in Britain and Europe during the same period.
• Literature (opens in a new tab)

  A guide to cycling books, periodicals, and published resources available to the cyclist.