Bicycles were first driven by direct drive cranks, but a new paradigm in bicycle drive systems was needed, in the late 19th century. This need coincided with the arrival in England of a young Swiss man, Hans Renold. Working around machinery, he soon invented the roller bush chain, in 1880. This was just the power transmission device needed to power a rear drive bicycle, and was incorporated into the Starley safety bicycle. This method of power transmisstion is an incredible 98% efficient, and is virtually unchanged in today's bicycles, even though the rest of the bike has been almost completely redesigned. Matt D. Kidd and R.L. Rueben, of Hariot-Watt Univ., Edinburgh UK, have written a great paper on the efficiency of the roller chain. 
The Renold Company is still in business making chains and bearings for industrial use.
Yes indeed - actually Hans Renold Invented the Roller Bush Chain in 1879 - sorry to be pedantic. That's a great little picture of the roller / bush chain and it's good to see interest in our favourite subject. For more information on Renold's Chains - follow the link: http://www.renold.com/Renold/Web/Site/Products/TransmissionChainSprockets/TransmissionChainIndexPage.asp
Thanks!!
Posted by: Roller Chains | February 18, 2005 at 07:05 AM
I'm looking for some .25" pitch roller chain in which the roller really rolls. All of the .25" 'roller chain' I've found does not have a roller that really rolls.
I'd appreciate any help.
Rick Marcus
Posted by: Rick Marcus | May 25, 2005 at 12:22 PM
What was wrong with the direct drive system? I'm always having issues with my chain system and everyone I know has issues with theirs. Does anyone know why direct drive was abandoned? Thanks
Posted by: Eric | May 18, 2006 at 10:25 PM