What's going on with these fellas' chains?

[Fnaar]

 

[lazyfatgit]

Maybe pre derailleur and they had to change cog manually? Just guessing.

 

[Sharky]

Some good write-ups in here:-
http://www.bikeraceinfo.com/photo-galleries/derailleurs-1.html

 

[Fnaar]

Thank you.

 

[Shut Up Legs]

I recall seeing some pretty interesting drivetrain configurations in the bicycle museum at Bédoin near Mont Ventoux, when I was there in late June last year. Here's a photo I posted on my last trip report:

 

[classic33]

Maybe pre derailleur and they had to change cog manually? Just guessing.

Quickest way would be to take the rear wheel out and turn it round. There's no rear drive on the left-side, on either bike.

 

[Alan O]

Some good write-ups in here:-
http://www.bikeraceinfo.com/photo-galleries/derailleurs-1.html

Fascinating, thanks.

 

[Drago]

Those vintage bikes look surprisingly modern. Just shows how 'right' the fundamental layout of the bicycle was from early in the century.

 

[palinurus]

http://www.classiclightweights.co.uk/designs/osgear-hs.html (looks like an Osgear in the OP based on the look of the chain tensioner)

Bit of video on Flickr

 

[palinurus]

I recall seeing some pretty interesting drivetrain configurations in the bicycle museum at Bédoin near Mont Ventoux, when I was there in late June last year. Here's a photo I posted on my last trip report:
View attachment 417590

That's one of these things right? (links to YouTube)

 

[Venod]

That's one of these things right? (links to YouTube)

Yes. The Retro Direct

http://www.oldbike.eu/museum/1930s/1932-2/1932-cycles-hiron-2-vitesse-retro-directe-pour-hommes/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Retro-direct

 

[MontyVeda]

Wow... never seen the likes before. Fascinating stuff.

 

[MontyVeda]

Those vintage bikes look surprisingly modern. Just shows how 'right' the fundamental layout of the bicycle was from early in the century.

Some of the gear changing systems demonstrate just how tricky it must have been to add gearing.
Up until this thread I thought we just had hub gears and the common derailleur.
I have learnt something today

 

[further]

If you are interested in gearing get a copy of this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dancing-Chain-History-Development-Derailleur/dp/1892495694

 

[Tenacious Sloth]

If you are interested in gearing get a copy of this
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dancing-Chain-History-Development-Derailleur/dp/1892495694

Hmmm. Might have to get onto that after I’ve finished my copy of ‘Teaspoons through the Ages’.