Can someone explain....

[Nihal]

And the chain appears a bit slack between the second and the third guy

 

[Venod]

First guys saying " barriers coming down keep low"

 

[steve52]

i really dont see the confusion? its a huge gear! driven by all four marvelous chaps. i would like to know how well it worked?

 

[Hover Fly]

Such contraptions were used for paced track racing/record attempts before Dernys.

 

[Leaway2]

The Brylcreem (or Brilliantine) is probably as effective as a helmet.

 

[perplexed]

Front man: 'Er, number two, can you start braking now...?'

Number two: 'Eh, I haven't got the brakes, er, number three, it'd be good to brake now...'

Number three: 'Tha' what? I haven't got em, they're on the back. Hey, number four, stick the anchors on, that horse and cart are gettin' tastily close...'

Number four: 'Oh, shi...'

 

[GrasB]

Back in those days chains tended to be quite soft. That big chanring is one half of the final drive ratio. It probably needed to be that big to lower the chain tension down to something that can be handled, the sprocket looks quite large as well (not as big as the chainrings, maybe 20t).

 

[classic33]

i really dont see the confusion? its a huge gear! driven by all four marvelous chaps. i would like to know how well it worked?

All four riders had/have to be able to trust each other, and know what the others would do & when. Having been on one, trusting the other three riders was the hardest part.
Bear in mind there are no brakes fitted, its a fixed.

 

[MrJamie]

Looks like everyone's linked on the same sized sprockets to number 3, which is given a big sprocket to increase the ratio between their cumulative pedalling/torque and the rear wheel

 

[snailracer]

Back in those days chains tended to be quite soft. That big chanring is one half of the final drive ratio. It probably needed to be that big to lower the chain tension down to something that can be handled, the sprocket looks quite large as well (not as big as the chainrings, maybe 20t).

Also consider that the sprocket is the main point of drivetrain loss - a 20t is measurably more efficient than a 12t or 11t.