Georges Delbruck argues that, just as motorcars need gears, so do cyclists. He suggests a startling six speed range with développements of:

• 9.50m (119 gear inches) for speed in very favourable circumstances.
• 7.50m (94 gear inches) for a good road on the flat.
• 5.50m (69 gear inches) for undulating countryside.
• 3.75m (47 gear inches) for hilly terrain.
• 2.20m (28 gear inches) for mountain passes.
• 1.10m (14 gear inches) for mountain trails.

Those 14 gear inches are no mean low gear! You would need a chainwheel of 18T driving a freewheel cog of 34T to give a ratio like that.

(Source gallica.bnf.fr/ Bibliothèque nationale de France)

• Publisher: T.C.F. Revue Mensuelle
• Country: France
• Date: October 1900
• Derailleur brands: de Vivie
• Derailleurs: none (Système de Vivie)