Name/Title
1886 Rudge high-wheelerDescription
This 1886 Rudge is a fine example from the height of highwheeler supremecy, built for all-around use. High wheelers weighed anywhere from a 19-pound Humber track racer to a 60-pound long-distance touring machine. This Rudge weighs 44 pounds.
Daniel Rudge, founder of the company, is credited with greatly advancing ball-bearing technology, which allowed bicycle wheels to roll smoothly. Rudge patented his adjustable ball bearings in 1878 and they were sold to his competitors for many years. Rudge bearings and William Bown's "Aeolus" bearings, made for early bicycles, are the grandparents of the ball bearings used throughout industry today.
Boston's Stoddard, Lovering & Co. was the importer for the "American Rudge."
Gearing: 53 inches (driving wheel diameter)
With this 53-inch direct-drive wheel, one pedal revolution takes you 53 inches times π, which is 166.5 inches, almost 14 feet.Collection
Igler Collection: 19th century cycles collected by Ralph Igler and loaned to Marin Museum of Bicycling by his son David IglerMaterials
Material Notes
Steel tubular frame/fork; steel ball bearings;
steel wheels; solid rubber tiresRelationships
Related Person or Organization
Person or Organization
Eugene MeyerPerson or Organization
James StarleyPerson or Organization
Daniel Rudge