The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1869-01-22
the wheel, is applied by means of a
sharper twist.

The three wheel velOcipede, Q
tricycle., is easier to guide and safe
TO use than the bicycle. Its speed
however. is less rapid still it eau b
made TO pass q carriage at full trol
AS the fair sex largely patroniz
the tricycle., the seat is more commC
dious than that OF the bicycle, havin,
sides and backs of wicker, and
morse hair cushion to sit upon. Th
hind wheels, though large, are light
and revolve with facility. The for,
wheel, which is smaller, serves Il
guide the machine, being acted upoI
by means OF the handle, which causes
it instantly to turn in the direction
indicated by the rider. The pedals
are shaped like slippers, which faeil
itate the movement OF the legs, ant
at the same time admits of the foot
being disengaged instaneously. The
movement required to impel the ma
chine is perfectly natural one, an
alOgous to that of walking. That is.
it requires hut the slightest pressure
of the foot, and produces no unusual
fatigue 10 the leg. In addition TO
these advantages, the largest three
wheeled veiocipedes have bar which
follows the line OF the eccentrics at
tached to the pedals and fits on the
axles. by assisting the movement
of this lever, the speed of the vehicle
is considerably increased, and a
simple pressure against 1t checks the
rotary movement of the wheel and
stops the progress of the machine.
This lever is, in fact, both a means
of impulsion and brake.
TIE PRICES.
The prices Of velocipedes range
according to their arrangement
Those that are imported into this
country, range from $50 to Sl25.
or course this is exclusive Of those
etceteras, such as n grease
box, india rubber cushions for the
iron bar in front of the machine, on
which the legs rest, and the like.
THE sHEED
attained by the swifter kind of veloc-
ipedes, averages from II to Is miles
an hour; adopts find no difficulty
whatever in accomplishing so miles
within five hours, without once alight-
ing from their vehicle 1t is record
ed that couple of amateurs making
a tour through part of France,
challenged each other as to which
could perform the greater distance
within 81 hours. One gave in after
having accomplished 81 miles, the
other went on until he had made 123
miles in the allotted time
THE LABOR To WORK 1T.
1t should be understood that, in
a velocipede, the limbs are
not constantly in motion, as on level
ground; when the impetus is at the
iverage rate, or when the machine
= descending an incline, the feet may
De removed from the pedals and the
egs be placed on the bar fixed IN
ront Of the velocipede for this pur-
'ose. A slight impulsion given from
inc to snflices to keep up the speed
THE ASCENT.
The ascent OF any incline greater
han | in 20 is said To be impracti-
able. When the rider, therefore,
a hill of more than av-
rage steepness, he has to aisnount
MI lead his velocipede 10y the hand,
Vhich it is said can he done with al
most the same ease as In carrying an
rdinary walking stick.
AMERICAN MANUFACTURES.
The manufacture ofthis locomotive
Ovelty has now commenced in this
ountry. Americans, with their
sual fertility of invention. have
egun to improve on the French
lodel as above given, and when
hese improvements will end. the
rchives in the patent office at Wash
lgton can only fOreshadOw. New
'ork, Philadelphia and Boston have
lready started shops for their man
facture, while it is expected that
'hicago will soon do the same. The
'rench models are not only expen-
i've, owing to the peculiar shape and
of the iron frame, and
onsequent difficulty of forging it,
ut are heavy, owing to all parts
eing solid, and no effective provis-
IN has been made for the removal of ,
ny part that may be broken or worn ,
Ut.
AN IMPROVED vELOCIPEDE,
,cently patented in New York city,
vercame all the before mentioned (
ljections to the French model. The
each or frame of the New York
elocipede is tubular, and thereby
reat strength and lightness are secu-
ld. The bearings are all of cOmpo-
tiOn, or gun metal, and so attached s
lat when too much worn out they l
Iay he replaced by others, which
re interchangeable, like the parts of {
ewing machines and firearms. The
ub of the hinder wheel is hushed
ith composition or gun metal and
lie apis is of peculiar construction,
in itself an Oilpot by {
eing made tubular and closed at
ther end by a screw, on the reno
al of which it may be filled with ,
.rd oil This oil finds it way out
the bearing as fast as required.
trough two or three fine holes made /
'r the purpose in the axle. Another {
nportant feature in the American i
elocipede is the arrangement of the
Her or steering handle, which is
rOught well back and sufficiently
lgh to require the rider to maintain
n erect position, with his arms well {
ack and hands well separated, thus
eeping the chest well expanded, 1
nd allowing free play of the lungs
he stirrups also differ from the /
artisan model. These stirrups are 6
iree-sided with circular flanges at
ach end and as they are fitted to |
lrn on the crank pins, the pressure ;
the foot will always bring one I
the three fiat sides into proper
These fiat sides are rough a
ned to prevent the foot from slip
ing, and are so shaped as to permit
le use of the fore part of the foot
nd bring the ankle joint into play,
nd thereby relieve the knee consid. II
rally. making the propulsion much
asier than when the shank of the
Dot is used exclusively. The cranks
re made adjustable, TO suit different ,