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Raleigh Competition backwards-pedal fixed-gear road bicycle (England; c.1968)
Years ago I'd read about reverse pedaling and it's relative benefit.
This year I've tried to convert this bike. While it's not yet reliable, it's been lots of fun.
![](raleigh-competition-backpedal-DP-rs.JPG)
In this set up, the rear hub has both fixed cog and freewheel.
The chain runs backwards from top of chainwheel to freewheel,
then it runs forward around a tension wheel fit to the chain stay.
It loops back around turning the fixed cog forward.
The chain then runs forward to the bottom of the chainwheel.
![](raleigh-competition-backpedal-DP-rv.JPG)
Beside adapting to fixed-gear backward pedaling, the weird thing is it cannot be pedaled forward.
That is, it locks up when resistance is applied to the backward motion by pedaling forward.
![](raleigh-competition-backpedal-DP-dr.JPG)
Below is the article "Backward Verses Forward Pedaling"
by Ramondo Spinnetti, from Human Power, Fall 1987.
![](HUMAN-POWER-1987fall-backward-versus-forward-pedaling-p1.JPG)
![](HUMAN-POWER-1987fall-backward-versus-forward-pedaling-p10.JPG)
![](HUMAN-POWER-1987fall-backward-versus-forward-pedaling-p11.JPG)
![](HUMAN-POWER-1987fall-backward-versus-forward-pedaling-p12.JPG)