I did a peremptory search of Sheldon Brown's site and the topics here, but didn't see an answer to this question: why is the drivetrain on the right side of the bike? Is there a mechanical reason, or a cultural/traditional one? Am I overlooking an obvious reason why it wouldn't be on the left? I'm just curious, and have a limited knowledge of bike history, so help a brother out!
> I did a peremptory search of Sheldon Brown's site and the topics here, but
> didn't see an answer to this question: why is the drivetrain on the right
> side of the bike? Is there a mechanical reason, or a cultural/traditional
> one? Am I overlooking an obvious reason why it wouldn't be on the left?
> I'm just curious, and have a limited knowledge of bike history, so help a
> brother out!
> Colin Cummings
> Amarillo, TX
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-- Chuck Davis
The shoppe is at:
OK Velo Sales (Okv...@gmail.com)
1408 E 11th ST
Tulsa, OK 74120
Actually, I'm quite sure it's entirely arbitrary. But now that it is what it is, that's likely how it will be for quite a while, or at least until the folks at Shimano decide otherwise.
On Monday, September 24, 2012 5:10:41 PM UTC-4, colinthehippie wrote:
> I did a peremptory search of Sheldon Brown's site and the topics here, but > didn't see an answer to this question: why is the drivetrain on the right > side of the bike? Is there a mechanical reason, or a cultural/traditional > one? Am I overlooking an obvious reason why it wouldn't be on the left? > I'm just curious, and have a limited knowledge of bike history, so help a > brother out!
On Mon, Sep 24, 2012 at 5:27 PM, Peter White <peterjwh...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Right is right, and left is wrong?
> Actually, I'm quite sure it's entirely arbitrary. But now that it is what
> it is, that's likely how it will be for quite a while, or at least until
> the folks at Shimano decide otherwise.
> PJW
> On Monday, September 24, 2012 5:10:41 PM UTC-4, colinthehippie wrote:
>> I did a peremptory search of Sheldon Brown's site and the topics here,
>> but didn't see an answer to this question: why is the drivetrain on the
>> right side of the bike? Is there a mechanical reason, or a
>> cultural/traditional one? Am I overlooking an obvious reason why it
>> wouldn't be on the left? I'm just curious, and have a limited knowledge of
>> bike history, so help a brother out!
>> Colin Cummings
>> Amarillo, TX
> --
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> It has to do with Coriolis force. You'll notice bikes sold south of the
> equator have the drive train on the left.
> On Mon, Sep 24, 2012 at 5:27 PM, Peter White <peterjwh...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> Right is right, and left is wrong?
>> Actually, I'm quite sure it's entirely arbitrary. But now that it is what
>> it is, that's likely how it will be for quite a while, or at least until
>> the folks at Shimano decide otherwise.
>> PJW
>> On Monday, September 24, 2012 5:10:41 PM UTC-4, colinthehippie wrote:
>>> I did a peremptory search of Sheldon Brown's site and the topics here,
>>> but didn't see an answer to this question: why is the drivetrain on the
>>> right side of the bike? Is there a mechanical reason, or a
>>> cultural/traditional one? Am I overlooking an obvious reason why it
>>> wouldn't be on the left? I'm just curious, and have a limited knowledge
>>> of
>>> bike history, so help a brother out!
>>> Colin Cummings
>>> Amarillo, TX
>> --
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>> "Bicycle Lifestyle" group.
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> --
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On Mon, 2012-09-24 at 14:27 -0700, Peter White wrote:
> Right is right, and left is wrong?
> Actually, I'm quite sure it's entirely arbitrary. But now that it is
> what it is, that's likely how it will be for quite a while, or at
> least until the folks at Shimano decide otherwise.
At some point de facto standards acquire such power even the likes of
Shimano can't change them. Didn't Shimano try to change the chain
pitch? And how'd that work out for them? Likewise, didn't Shimano try
to change the shape of the chain ring from round to oval, with similar
lack of success?
I think the drive trail will be on the right until Hell freezes over.
> Threading, folks, threading. Generally better for things to get > tighter than to fall off while riding.
Couldn't you just use left-handed threads? Maybe you're right, but the reasoning isn't as rock solid as I had hoped. But it's pretty good. I was thinking it might be a prejudice against left-handed folks.
> Threading, folks, threading. Generally better for things to get
>> tighter than to fall off while riding.
> Couldn't you just use left-handed threads? Maybe you're right, but the
> reasoning isn't as rock solid as I had hoped. But it's pretty good. I was
> thinking it might be a prejudice against left-handed folks.
> --
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Long ago, I heard the explanation that folks were accustomed to mounting a
horse from the left and thus the drive was put on the right side of the
bicycle.
On reflection it seems that would really only make a difference to
equestrians taking up cyclocross
Dwight
On Mon, Sep 24, 2012 at 2:45 PM, colinthehippie <colinthehip...@gmail.com>wrote:
> Threading, folks, threading. Generally better for things to get
>> tighter than to fall off while riding.
> Couldn't you just use left-handed threads? Maybe you're right, but the
> reasoning isn't as rock solid as I had hoped. But it's pretty good. I was
> thinking it might be a prejudice against left-handed folks.
> To post to this group, send email to bicyclelifestyle@googlegroups.com.
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I pulled out my copy of David Herlihy's _Bicycle_ and leafed through
the pictures. Most of the early chain-driven bicycles (safeties and
some chain-driven ordinaries) have the drivetrain on the right. An
engraving from 1893 on p. 270 shows a left-side drive bike, but it's
not necessarily drawn from life. If I recall correctly, Vélocio (Paul
de Vivie) had a bicycle with a drivetrain on each side to permit easy
gear changes in the pre-derailleur days. My guess is that it was due
simply to the inertia of tradition: once Henry Lawson and John Kemp
Starley had introduced their safety bicycles with the drivetrain on
the right, others probably just followed suit.
Brian
On Mon, Sep 24, 2012 at 5:10 PM, colinthehippie
<colinthehip...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I did a peremptory search of Sheldon Brown's site and the topics here, but
> didn't see an answer to this question: why is the drivetrain on the right
> side of the bike? Is there a mechanical reason, or a cultural/traditional
> one? Am I overlooking an obvious reason why it wouldn't be on the left?
> I'm just curious, and have a limited knowledge of bike history, so help a
> brother out!
It seems to me that since most people are right handed, they are also right footed as well. This means that their right foot/leg is the more powerful of the two.
It would make sense to keep the driveline on the right side since that position is more in line with your most powerful stroke and perhaps lessen stress on the bottom bracket bearings.
That said, I'm betting on the mounting a horse from the left side theory.
D
Sent from my iPad.
On Sep 24, 2012, at 5:46 PM, Brian Ogilvie <bwogil...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I pulled out my copy of David Herlihy's _Bicycle_ and leafed through
> the pictures. Most of the early chain-driven bicycles (safeties and
> some chain-driven ordinaries) have the drivetrain on the right. An
> engraving from 1893 on p. 270 shows a left-side drive bike, but it's
> not necessarily drawn from life. If I recall correctly, Vélocio (Paul
> de Vivie) had a bicycle with a drivetrain on each side to permit easy
> gear changes in the pre-derailleur days. My guess is that it was due
> simply to the inertia of tradition: once Henry Lawson and John Kemp
> Starley had introduced their safety bicycles with the drivetrain on
> the right, others probably just followed suit.
> Brian
> On Mon, Sep 24, 2012 at 5:10 PM, colinthehippie
> <colinthehip...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> I did a peremptory search of Sheldon Brown's site and the topics here, but
>> didn't see an answer to this question: why is the drivetrain on the right
>> side of the bike? Is there a mechanical reason, or a cultural/traditional
>> one? Am I overlooking an obvious reason why it wouldn't be on the left?
>> I'm just curious, and have a limited knowledge of bike history, so help a
>> brother out!
> -- > You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Bicycle Lifestyle" group.
> To post to this group, send email to bicyclelifestyle@googlegroups.com.
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to bicyclelifestyle+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
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On Monday, September 24, 2012 5:38:03 PM UTC-4, Steve Palincsar wrote:
> On Mon, 2012-09-24 at 14:27 -0700, Peter White wrote: > > Right is right, and left is wrong?
> > Actually, I'm quite sure it's entirely arbitrary. But now that it is > > what it is, that's likely how it will be for quite a while, or at > > least until the folks at Shimano decide otherwise.
> At some point de facto standards acquire such power even the likes of > Shimano can't change them. Didn't Shimano try to change the chain > pitch? And how'd that work out for them? Likewise, didn't Shimano try > to change the shape of the chain ring from round to oval, with similar > lack of success?
> I think the drive trail will be on the right until Hell freezes over.
> On Monday, September 24, 2012 5:38:03 PM UTC-4, Steve Palincsar wrote:
>> On Mon, 2012-09-24 at 14:27 -0700, Peter White wrote:
>> > Right is right, and left is wrong?
>> > Actually, I'm quite sure it's entirely arbitrary. But now that it is
>> > what it is, that's likely how it will be for quite a while, or at
>> > least until the folks at Shimano decide otherwise.
>> At some point de facto standards acquire such power even the likes of
>> Shimano can't change them. Didn't Shimano try to change the chain
>> pitch? And how'd that work out for them? Likewise, didn't Shimano try
>> to change the shape of the chain ring from round to oval, with similar
>> lack of success?
>> I think the drive trail will be on the right until Hell freezes over.
> --
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On Monday, September 24, 2012 2:10:41 PM UTC-7, colinthehippie wrote:
> I did a peremptory search of Sheldon Brown's site and the topics here, but > didn't see an answer to this question: why is the drivetrain on the right > side of the bike? Is there a mechanical reason, or a cultural/traditional > one? Am I overlooking an obvious reason why it wouldn't be on the left? > I'm just curious, and have a limited knowledge of bike history, so help a > brother out!
I have read, do not know where that the drive is on the right side of a bicycle because most people are right handed. Therefore their reaction in a fall is to protect the right side of the body. This means that in a cash the left side of the bicycle lioke the left side of the body hits the ground more often thus having the drive on the right protects the components from damage in a fall.
While there is some apparent logical sense to that I have no idea if it is true or not
On Tuesday, September 25, 2012 7:16:48 AM UTC+10, Chuck Davis wrote:
> Maybe in the beginning someone flipped a coin?
> On Mon, Sep 24, 2012 at 4:10 PM, colinthehippie <colinth...@gmail.com<javascript:> > > wrote:
>> I did a peremptory search of Sheldon Brown's site and the topics here, >> but didn't see an answer to this question: why is the drivetrain on the >> right side of the bike? Is there a mechanical reason, or a >> cultural/traditional one? Am I overlooking an obvious reason why it >> wouldn't be on the left? I'm just curious, and have a limited knowledge of >> bike history, so help a brother out!
>> Colin Cummings >> Amarillo, TX
>> -- >> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups >> "Bicycle Lifestyle" group. >> To view this discussion on the web visit >> https://groups.google.com/d/msg/bicyclelifestyle/-/-ZfjGG77f9sJ. >> To post to this group, send email to bicyclel...@googlegroups.com<javascript:> >> . >> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >> bicyclelifesty...@googlegroups.com <javascript:>. >> For more options, visit this group at >> http://groups.google.com/group/bicyclelifestyle?hl=en.
> -- > Chuck Davis
> The shoppe is at:
> OK Velo Sales (Okv...@gmail.com <javascript:>) > 1408 E 11th ST > Tulsa, OK 74120
On Wednesday, September 26, 2012 1:39:55 AM UTC-4, Fai Mao wrote:
> I have read, do not know where that the drive is on the right side of a > bicycle because most people are right handed. Therefore their reaction in a > fall is to protect the right side of the body. This means that in a cash > the left side of the bicycle lioke the left side of the body hits the > ground more often thus having the drive on the right protects the > components from damage in a fall.
> While there is some apparent logical sense to that I have no idea if it is > true or not
> On Tuesday, September 25, 2012 7:16:48 AM UTC+10, Chuck Davis wrote:
>> Maybe in the beginning someone flipped a coin?
>> On Mon, Sep 24, 2012 at 4:10 PM, colinthehippie <colinth...@gmail.com>wrote:
>>> I did a peremptory search of Sheldon Brown's site and the topics here, >>> but didn't see an answer to this question: why is the drivetrain on the >>> right side of the bike? Is there a mechanical reason, or a >>> cultural/traditional one? Am I overlooking an obvious reason why it >>> wouldn't be on the left? I'm just curious, and have a limited knowledge of >>> bike history, so help a brother out!
>>> Colin Cummings >>> Amarillo, TX
>>> -- >>> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google >>> Groups "Bicycle Lifestyle" group. >>> To view this discussion on the web visit >>> https://groups.google.com/d/msg/bicyclelifestyle/-/-ZfjGG77f9sJ. >>> To post to this group, send email to bicyclel...@googlegroups.com. >>> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to >>> bicyclelifesty...@googlegroups.com. >>> For more options, visit this group at >>> http://groups.google.com/group/bicyclelifestyle?hl=en.
>> -- >> Chuck Davis
>> The shoppe is at:
>> OK Velo Sales (Okv...@gmail.com) >> 1408 E 11th ST >> Tulsa, OK 74120
Funny on several of my BMX bikes, I can set up the cranks left or right side. I could even run a double drive train. Now that would be cool. a nice 36 - 13 on both sides. jimmy austin tx
On Monday, September 24, 2012 4:10:41 PM UTC-5, colinthehippie wrote:
> I did a peremptory search of Sheldon Brown's site and the topics here, but > didn't see an answer to this question: why is the drivetrain on the right > side of the bike? Is there a mechanical reason, or a cultural/traditional > one? Am I overlooking an obvious reason why it wouldn't be on the left? > I'm just curious, and have a limited knowledge of bike history, so help a > brother out!
That's so you can put your drivetrain opposite the side where your pegs are so you don't bash it into ledges and handrails. Actually has a good reason. If you've spent any time on fixed gear sites you might have seen people set up their bikes left hand drive to be cool. Sound in theory I guess, but I just stripped the lockring threads on my fixed gear and it was set up properly, so I wouldn't want to risk it.
On Wednesday, September 26, 2012 7:52:45 PM UTC-7, Jimmy Coffill wrote:
> Funny on several of my BMX bikes, I can set up the cranks left or right > side. I could even run a double drive train. Now that would be cool. a nice > 36 - 13 on both sides. > jimmy > austin tx
> On Monday, September 24, 2012 4:10:41 PM UTC-5, colinthehippie wrote:
>> I did a peremptory search of Sheldon Brown's site and the topics here, >> but didn't see an answer to this question: why is the drivetrain on the >> right side of the bike? Is there a mechanical reason, or a >> cultural/traditional one? Am I overlooking an obvious reason why it >> wouldn't be on the left? I'm just curious, and have a limited knowledge of >> bike history, so help a brother out!
Some rental tandem is China have chains on both sides to rear wheel. They are single speed, with freewheels on both sides of the rear wheel to provide independent pedaling. On the ones that I have seen and ridden, the chain from the captain's cranks is on the right side and very long. The stoker's chain is on the left.
