1-154-953 - Oxford Science Archive/Heritage Images

Six early forms of bicycles and tricycles, 19th century. The cycles shown are the Otto Dicycle, the Rover Safety, Singer's Special Safety, the King of Clubs, the Humber Tricycle and Singer's Straight Steerer convertible. The Dicycle consists of two parallel wheels, with the saddle between them. The 'Rover' and 'Singer's Special' Safety show the return to a design based on two wheels of the same size, however, although safer, they were still far more uncomfortable than the high-wheel bicycles. The 'King of Clubs' had solid rubber tyres and provided a smoother ride, they were a success with affluent young men and had their hey-day in the 1880s.