Cyclometer (measurement technology)
A cyclometer ( Greek κύκλος , Zyklo- or Kyklo- - circle, ring ) is a device for measuring the distance on bicycles and was first used in Austria in 1885 for military bicycles. The cyclometer counts the revolutions of a rolling wheel, which, together with the knowledge of the wheel circumference, determines the distance .
A mechanical counter is attached to the fork near the axis of the front wheel . A driver , which is attached to a spoke , continues to rotate the counter via an upstream gear . The gear ratio is set so that the display corresponds directly to the distance covered. It cannot normally be changed, so that the cyclometer can only be used for one tire size at a time.
In the meantime, speedometers and cycle computers are used to determine not only the distance but also the speed of bicycles.