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The power
output of humans is modest and it is important to minimize energy losses
in the bicycle system. In the 1880's, ball bearings started to be used for the
pedals and wheel hubs as well as for the head tube that permitted front wheel
direction to be changed. The diagrams show this innovation.
On the
left is a ball-bearing front hub. A "New Mail Trigwell" ball head-tube
is shown on the right. These designs lack the refinement of later components
but employ the same method for reducing the rotational resistance of
the wheels and improving the stability and feel of the steering.
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