Home front : German bicycle wheel, with leather tyre and steel springs

Steel frame bicycle wheel with spring supported wooden tyre. The tyre is made from a single strip of wood, which is covered with a small strip of leather. Steel springs were placed between the under surface of the tyre and the rim around the entire circumference of the wheel. The tyre is attached to the centre of the wheel with 16 spokes, two of which are damaged.

This German bicycle wheel, with a leather and wooden tyre and steel springs was used on the home front during the First World War.

The blockading of Germany by the Royal Navy brought about great shortages of raw materials. Great efforts were made by Germany's military and the civilian population to produce substitute 'ersatz' goods.

The substitute materials used for bicycle tyres included steel wire, leather, wood, prepared canvas, and combinations of them all.

Wooden tyres were used with success, as at least three different types were sold in Germany. In a few cases, the tyres were made of a single piece of wood. Sectional wooden tyres were also available on the market and one of these was made with 47 parts.

The wooden tyre of which this is an example, was not as successful due to its price. Its running surface was made from a single strip of wood, the outer surface of which was covered with a small strip of leather. Steel coil springs were placed between the under surface of the tyre and the rim to provide a comfortable ride. Large steel springs were also attached to the front and back forks.