I should hope not.

Precisely

Simplex chain bike auction
 

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/...united-kingdom

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...548145c4ed.jpg

Never seen that chain style. Cannot find any info online about it, not even info for Simplex chain, though that is the generic name for typical roller chains like on bikes. I cannot see the purpose of that style chain on a bike, the inner segments that run along the sprockets are what transmit power. I'm thinking that style chain must have been invented for some other application where the outer peaks drive something, and was simply used on that bike.

Any chance that's actually a Simpson chain?

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...29f58d7016.jpg
1896 ad is by Henri Toulouse-Lautrec.

The "outer peaks" drive the rear sprocket.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/bikefor...631d13c951.jpg

I think your right, I think the auction house has it wrong.

THANK YOU!!

Why in the HECK would they drive the rear sprocket like that, instead of the inner ladder chain driving it at the same diameter? There's gotta be a reason. Gonna search online. EDIT: Well that was easy:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simpson_chain

Ha! That link was worth reading.

Lotta weirdo bike things in the 1880s-90s.

1980s, too.*

--Shannon

* There was a pair of the PMP "L" cranks at the SF bike swap today... pretty cool, actually. (Not $665.73 + shipping for NOS cool, or even maybe 250 bucks on a blanket at the swap meet cool... but cool.)

Yeah the Simpson chain was much like the PMP crank, promising something for nothing, either ignoring or ignorant of the laws of physics.
Simpsons had an all-comers race and gave 10 to 1 odds that his man on a Simpson chain would win. He did, but it had nothing to do with the chain. It was a paced race, and the Simpson rider just had faster pacers. Pure snake oil.

With Jesus as my Savior, and the Gladiator Pacing Team as my leadout!