[zeitgeistcowboy]

It’s because vulcanized rubber tires weren’t available until the 1840s. There is no sub for inflatable tubes and rubber tires. Without it the ride would be very very bumpy for a light frame with two wheels.

[tokai]

Pneumatic tires are from 1888. People rode without them for half a century. They even rode without solid rubber tires.

https://onlinebicyclemuseum.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/05...