The Fitting of the Cycle to its Rider

Abstract

THERE is much interesting theory in your paper on the bicycle fitted to the rider in crank and gear, by Mr. Crompton (p. 87). But what is the practice? I agree with Mr. Crompton's theories, if a slight modification be made. I think that the crank-length should be proportional not only to a man's thigh-length, but to the weight of a man's leg. The loss of power in a bicycle, as soon as it travels fast, arises from the loss of momentum at each up and down stroke of the leg according to the well-known equation:—