In the USA, except for a brief period of popularity during the Great Depression of the 1930s, during most of the 20th century bicycles were relegated to the status of children's toys. However, the fuel shortages of the 1970s and concurrent rise of oil prices caused another bicycle craze in that decade. Once again, when the price of oil fell, bicycles largely went out of fashion, except for those who stuck with them primarily for health, pleasure and environmental reasons.
In the bike boom during 1971-1975 in the United States, adult cycling increased sharply in popularity, with sharp sales increases. The bike boom followed a period of several decades in which adult Americans had largely abandoned use of the bicycle in favor of the automobile, during which time bicycles were largely relegated to use by children and youth not yet qualified to drive a motor vehicle. The period of increased sales was followed by an equally sharp fall in sales, resulting in a large inventory of unsold bicycles.
Several factors contributed to the U.S. bike boom:
* The 1973 oil crisis greatly increased the cost of driving an automobile, making bicycle commuting a more attractive option.
* Affordable and versatile 10-speed derailleur-geared sport bikes patterned after racing bicycles became widely available.
* Many post-World War II baby boomers, who were reaching adulthood in this time period, began to demand an inexpensive transportation for recreation and exercise, while preserving the environment.Construction The first bicycle wheels followed the traditions of carriage building: a wooden hub, a fixed steel axle (the bearings were located in the fork ends), wooden spokes and a shrink fitted iron tire. A typical modern wheel has a metal hub, wire tension spokes and a metal or carbon fiber rim which holds a pneumatic rubber tire.
In the bike boom during 1971-1975 in the United States, adult cycling increased sharply in popularity, with sharp sales increases. The bike boom followed a period of several decades in which adult Americans had largely abandoned use of the bicycle in favor of the automobile, during which time bicycles were largely relegated to use by children and youth not yet qualified to drive a motor vehicle. The period of increased sales was followed by an equally sharp fall in sales, resulting in a large inventory of unsold bicycles.
Several factors contributed to the U.S. bike boom:
* The 1973 oil crisis greatly increased the cost of driving an automobile, making bicycle commuting a more attractive option.
* Affordable and versatile 10-speed derailleur-geared sport bikes patterned after racing bicycles became widely available.
* Many post-World War II baby boomers, who were reaching adulthood in this time period, began to demand an inexpensive transportation for recreation and exercise, while preserving the environment.Construction The first bicycle wheels followed the traditions of carriage building: a wooden hub, a fixed steel axle (the bearings were located in the fork ends), wooden spokes and a shrink fitted iron tire. A typical modern wheel has a metal hub, wire tension spokes and a metal or carbon fiber rim which holds a pneumatic rubber tire.
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