HIll-Climber bicycle history



The first patent issued to B.T. Nedland for a changeable gear for the shaft drive bicycle. Note the gears are applied at the crank, which, though giving greater range of work ratios, also increased the difference in work required between gears, which would have made this an uncomfortable ride, not easy to propel smoothly. The position of the shift lever would have been easy to reach, but potentially dangerous to the rider's family jewels if a forward fall was experienced. Not all patents issued at this time needed to be accompanied by a working model.


Note the working mechanism does not have all the pinion gears engaged, but has them moving into and out of place. This would have required the rider to stop pedaling while shifting, resulting in a loss of power while coasting. Synchronizing the positions of the pinion and drive gears would also have been a challenge.