The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-09
THE PNEUMATIC TIRE.

In Great Britain a patent, tire is at present
exciting great interest; and. from oil iniorma-
tion received on the subject ii is the forerunner
Of = solution OF the nOn-v vibration problem.
English manufacturers are invariably two to
machines show. This English or, rather
tire. At present 1t IS somewhat handicapped
by several impcrfec!ions, but when those difi-
culties. are surmounted it will owe TO be a
The existing objections are the pumping of the
air into the, tire. the increased weight the
Ing the rubber when the air is out A promi-
nent bicycling authority writes that it
has been proven by eXper'ment mat the TIRE
and that it certainly grapples the problem OF
vibration and makes riding luxury, never
and one-halt pounds TO the weight OF a. safety,
aud this. with the addition, Of the broader
sIoon brake. and mud guard makes, IA total
additional weight OF six to seven pounds. The
seems, is defective, in many cases the nir being
allowed to escape. despite tho fact that the
valve was tightly closed. 1t is also reported
that the ordinary ropairer cannot replace a
broken spoke IN a wheel fitted with II pneu-
matte tire. while the tire displays a propensity
to bespatter the rider with mud There are a
great many objections to be overcome before
1t can he taken into popular favor
tbs vibration, and the improvements are only
a question Of time. Tho tire, promises to be-
come as great a success on the path as road.
At tile recent spring meeting OF The Surrey
81 cycle Club the winner of the milo handicap
safety race had pneumatic tires fitted To the
wheels OF his machine. and on the same day
another wheeIman won bicycle race at Stum-
ford Bridge with the tire on his driving wheel.
Racing men who were at first skeptica as to its
benefits are now veerinG around. wnile its be-
levers. mostly lrishmen. are jublant at its
success thus far.
The pumping of air into the tire ia tho most
disagrecable part of it. for. IN ess pumped
quite hard which takes time and muscle. the
1t Is said to be easy to repair the DunctureS.
and an operation hat can be performed in less
than an hour. Bottles Of the necessary solu-
ton for mendinG purposes are sold and It is
claimed that the long road rider runs
the old solid tire. which has been known to
come off and cause considerable Inconvenience.
tion. and none OF the manufacturers seem TO
have any longing to ntT P,in the ,dea INTO
th1s aad lave heard OF h T%e
tire, but my Information Is so meagre that do
not feel .aualit"d TO discuss its merits. or
made without increasing the weight. it would
doubtless be good thing. But am afraid
iects OF. vibration, which feeling must.
after. all. be largely one Of Imagination.
ney Fid That oe ths brat6n or lon otne 0uF
the cause Of his wearin3css But how does he
know that this IS So There Is practically no |
he is really ignorant whether he would not |
have tho same feeling atter long ride on a |
the vibration incurred is very beneficial eX-
ercise. In my time we were compee 10 sit |
skin. comparatively no srrlnG, and thought |
the vibration glorious thing Tor my health. |
1t has been, my experience that It Is only the |
beginners that pay any attention to this vibra- |
ton. After u man has been riding year or |
two he takes the ightest machine he can get. |
largely matter OF fancy or imagination. No.
shall not bring over any Of tho pneumatics.
though believe they have hit upon the only |
way to secure non-vihration; There are.
however. from what have hea r., great
Invention | shall no; toifeh 1t. The danger of !
nnnctur ing Is far greater on our roads than in !
England. and this fact may prevent lis ever be-
coming popular In this country
Mr. Sell Campbell OF Ban ker & Campbell
would undortaRe 10 import the new machine. |
Mr. Banker is in Europe at present" he said,
has to e1@%q9 % bu
tie thing seems TO have got only as far as the |
experimental stage. Non vibration Is the aim
number Of non;Eora Ing schsm%t none one
ions ior England THAI for America, the
roads in England are jnsrt 49,, beautiful:
dsr soye ES b m Eoa IN this connrg
well, tho least said aEont them the. better. !
Thus. while the pneumatic tire might be |
great SUCCESS in England the chances are that
i would be dismal failure hore. II nny be.
however, that American ruhber-and believe
English and thus the danger OF Duncturng /
would be lessened But the pneumatic will
stund n lot OF improvng and it Is quite i'm
probable that any manufactures here will
think OF touching it for year or two ~ least;
Il is tho most feasible plan ! have heard OF
though, hcing far ahead OF the non-viblation
spring schome."
Mir Frank +. Prlal thinks the tire is the germ
OF grand MENTION, md whon its many inn
PROJECTIONS have been remedied will prove n
blessing TO riders. He says there l. young !
bicyclist In Philadelphia who claims TO have
invented similar tire years ago. but could get
no manufacturer to take II up.