Why did early pedal velocipedes earn the nickname boneshakers?

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An African American family of four, all wearing helmets, rides bicycles together on a tree-lined country trail, with two children in front and two adults following behind. — bicycle Family bicycling on a country road.

Early pedal velocipedes earned the nickname "boneshaker" due to their uncomfortable and jarring ride. These machines were constructed with wooden wheels and iron rims, which, when combined with a lack of springs and the vibration of the iron tires on uneven road surfaces, created a significant amount of rattling and shaking for the rider.123

This design was a stark contrast to later models that incorporated features like solid rubber tires and wire-spoked wheels to soften the ride. The term eventually became a general slang reference for any outmoded or uncomfortable bicycle that lacked modern improvements.21