“In all probability the three-wheeled velocipede will have a more enduring and wider-spread popularity than the two-wheeled. Not that those in present use are safer or even easier to guide than the bicycle, but they permit the body to remain in a sitting posture when going downhill and when the machine is at rest. An artist can sketch from the seat.
It can be taken to a shady nook while the luncheon or quiet pipe is enjoyed, and what is lost in speed is made up in comfort. There are, however, some drawbacks. Strange as it may appear to the uninitiated, the tricycle is far more likely to upset the tyro than the bicycle. Some modifications in the form of the machine have been made which bid fair to remove this objection.
The simplest form of a tricycle is shown in Fig. 7 above. It is one of those manufactured by Mr. Lisle, of Wolverhampton, and is known as the German tricycle. It is, in fact, a converted bicycle of the American pattern. The rear wheel is removed, and its place supplied by a pair of wheels, running free on an axle two feet long. The motive power is supplied by the crank pedals attached to the front axle. There is not much loss of power in this form of bicycle, but there is a tendency to turn over when the machine is not running on the crown of thé road.”
– From ‘Velocipedes: 1870’
1870 Velocipede Boneshaker Tricycle
32″ Front wheel
29.5″ Rear wheels
LENGTH: 60″
WIDTH: 30″
HEIGHT: 47″
(Now sold)
The velocipede bicycle came in and went out of fashion in the course of just a few years. Such was its popularity in its prime in Britain that it created a new industry, and proved to the new manufacturers that there was a great public demand for a means of independent wheeled transportation. But the manufacturers also realised that the velocipede itself was just the first version, and innovators in the fledgling industry soon introduced a more practical machine with a lighter weight backbone and metal wheels. Though the velocipede bicycle was superseded by the new ‘penny farthing’, the larger front wheel of the ‘penny farthing’ was less practical for a tricycle version and more unstable too.
While solo velocipedes were only suitable for athletic young men, the tricycle could be ridden by older riders. However, the roads were not up to the job. Roads outside cities were rutted by the regular use of horse carts, and though bicycles could ride in the ruts it was impossible for tricycles to use. So they were limited to city use. In fact, their ideal use was in velocipede riding schools, many of which sprang up around the country.
As you can read in the text of the 1870 ‘Velocipedes’ book at the top of the page: “The rear wheel is removed, and its place supplied by a pair of wheels, running free on an axle two feet long.” In the case of the example featured here, the solo velocipede rear fork has been reworked and spread out, and then bolted to the rear axle. It has been done well, with an axle width of 30″ to provide sufficient stability. If you look closely at the photo below (and also a close up further down the page) you can see that the axle has been well finished at its extremities where it meets the hubs.
The high standard of workmanship to convert the solo velocipede to a tricycle version – plus the fact that the rear wheels are identical and match the larger front wheel – suggest that this job was done at the time, either by the maker or perhaps by a riding school. The tricycle is in excellent original condition and is ready to ride.
THANKS to Ian Hall for the photos above and below, showing a similar tricycle that was once owned by his family
