QUADRANT: THE ONLY BRITISH MANUFACTURER OF A CHAINLESS GEAR
Founded in 1883, the Quadrant Cycle Co was renowned for quality of workmanship and was one of the world’s leading manufacturer of tricycles. They introduced many patents for new innovations in both tricycles and bicycles.
Lloyd’s cross roller gear was patented by Walter J Lloyd and William Priest in 1897. Unlike the bevel gear system used in France (Acatene) and America (Colonel Pope of Columbia Cycles bought the French patent), the Lloyd Cross Roller uses spin rollers throughout the drive system.
Though Quadrant promoted the Chainless bicycle in Great Britain, chainless bicycles failed to catch on here. By the turn of the century, normal chain-driven bicycles were built to such a high standard in Britain – they were the best and most expensive in the world – that there was not really any need for a bicycle with an alternative system of propulsion.
Its selling price was pitched just under that of one of the most expensive bicycles, the Centaur Featherweight – 18 guineas as against 19 guineas. I’m sure Quadrant would have liked to make it even more expensive, but I reckon the Featherweight was the benchmark, there being one major difference between the two models – the Featherweight was one of the fastest lightweight machines on the road, while the Quadrant was a novelty, more suitable for city use than speeding down country roads.
For a cycle manufacturer, a shaft-driven bicycle required a major investment not only in its production but also in its marketing, and Quadrant’s experience with the Chainless, as well as their earlier spring frame (patented 1891) and the new Quadrant Motor Bicycle proved to be the company’s downfall: operational expenses spiralled and they went into liquidation in 1907.
Though no other British cycle maker dared to invest in making chainless cycles, two makers sold them: Humber marketed the French Acatene in 1897 as a Humber Chainless, and Rover brought out a Chainless model in 1913 that used the German Durkopp gear, ceasing production a year later when we went to war with Germany. (You can see examples of both on this website).
Below you can see Walter J Lloyd, the inventor of Lloyd’s Cross Roller gear, being driven by William Priest Junior in a 1904 Quadrant Tri-car. They were both directors of Quadrant Cycle Co.
1901 Quadrant Chainless Roadster
Freewheel with Backpedal Band brake
25″ Frame
28″ Wheels
Brooks saddle
(Now sold)
Few Quadrant Chainless machines survive. But because of their novelty and interesting design, the model has become an essential exhibit for the country’s top museums: the Science Museum, Coventry Transport Museum, Hull Street Life Museum and Oxford Bus Museum each have an example on display. The Online Bicycle Museum is the only one with both a Gents and a Lady’s model. This unrestored original example is therefore surplus to my requirements so I’ve put it into my Spring Online Auction.
I first came across this Quadrant around 10 years ago, when I was working on a Quadrant tricycle and discovered that it required two right hand pedal cranks. Pete Matthews, from Dublin, had previously displayed a quantity of cranks on his Beaulieu Autojumble stall, so I contacted him. I was impressed by his generosity when he posted half a dozen to me to choose from. We discussed our Quadrants and he told me about this one requiring some minor jobs. I was pleased to be able to acquire it. Having now completed the various tasks it is on the market ready for another enthusiast to enjoy.
As you can see in the video, the chainless mechanism and the band brake are fully functional, and it’s ready to display and ride.
1901 QUADRANT CATALOGUE EXTRACTS
THE LLOYD CROSS ROLLER GEAR
QUADRANT FREE WHEEL AND BACK-PEDALLING BAND BRAKE
BARTLEET’S QUADRANT CHAINLESS
No. 47. “Quadrant” bicycle, fitted with Lloyd’s “Cross-roller” gear, patent No. 6435/1897. Weight of complete machine 35 lbs. Presented by E. Figg. The rear portion of a frame is shown, separately, to demonstrate the mechanism of the gear; this was presented by A. R. Wayte, of Dublin.
This gear was a development of — but a great improvement upon — the bevel system of driving; when two “teeth,” one driving and one driven, engaged each other, each was free to revolve on a fixed stud: this minimised the friction which is inseparable from any rigid mechanical method of conveying rotary drive round a right-angled corner. The hollow shaft, enclosing the usual chain-stay, revolved on ball-bearings. A letter from Walter John Lloyd, inventor of the gear, accompanies the exhibit. Mr. Lloyd (who is still alive) was an extremely clever engineer, and was responsible for the many ingenious innovations which were embodied in “Quadrant ” cycles. Notable among these were the special method of mounting the front wheel of a tricycle, which helped to make the “Quadrant” of 1886-1890 such a popular
Mr. Lloyd also devised a very efficient spring-frame, while his back-pedaling band-brake* (fitted to exhibit No. 47) will repay careful examination. Note also the extension from the fork crown, strengthening each blade.*
Harry Chinn, of Birmingham — brother of the more famous Fred. Chinn — made several records on the Crystal Palace track, using a “Quadrant” racing bicycle with Lloyd’s cross-roller gear. He ran third in the 50-miles National Championship, and covered 29 miles 465 yards in one hour (15th September, 1900).
