Block to roller chain timetable

[mike j]

Does anyone know about when the change occurred?

 

[bricycle]

1908 ish..
at least that is my own belief. due to the amount of this era cycles I have had, it falls in there somewhere, give or take. The narrower chain cogs and wheels show up near then.

 

[Rambler]

There was a fair amount of overlap. Some manufacturers offering roller chain as an upgrade or standard on certain models while other models had block chain. I would agree with @bricycle that it was somewhere around 1908ish some beginning before that date and the final switch over happening at some point after that date. 1908 is pretty much center of the time line in my estimation as well.

 

[mike j]

Thanks for the very informative replies, @bricycle & @Rambler. The wealth of information on this site never ceases to amaze me.

 

[Blue Streak]

Period references to support @bricycle and @Rambler posts above.

From February 1, 1908 issue of The Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review:

From September 12, 1908 issue of The Bicycling World and Motorcycle Review: