This is something of a cross-post from another tandem discussion list I frequent but it may be of interest to readers here as well.

I was reading through a number of very old publications dealing with bicycle history, technology, construction, and repair and in doing so, I was once again reminded that with bicycles almost everything old is new again.

I have also come to believe that the discussions we have today regarding bicycles and tandems are also not all that different than the ones enthusiasts would have had over 100 years ago and, with that in mind, I've culled a a few snippits from some of these old manuscripts to read and ponder that you can find here:

https://www.thetandemlink.com/articles/History.html


Introduction: The Modern Bicycle and its Accessories, The Commercial Advertiser Assn., 1898

• An 1898 version of today's "Buyers Guide"

Preface: Bicycle Repairing, By S.D.V. Burr, 1896

• The value of a quality bicycle and of good mechanics

Introduction: Modern Cycles - A Practical Handbook.... By A.J. Wallis-Tayler, C.E., 1897

• The safety bicycle as a practical, beneficial, and more easily managed machine

Bicycles For Two or More Riders: Modern Cycles - A Practical Handbook.... By A.J. Wallis-Tayler, C.E., 1897

• A comprehensive overview of the state of the art of tandems, circa 1897

Tandems & Multicycles: The Modern Bicycle and its Accessories, The Commercial Advertiser Assn., 1898

• A brief history and overview of tandems as might be seen in today's Bicycling Magazine, less all of the details.

Building Tandem Safeties: Cycle Building and Repairing, Edited by Paul N. Hasluck, 1900

• A detailed description of how to build a tandem, circa 1900. Just how much as really changed?