The morning call., 1892-10-31


American wheel, while the principle Is the
same, the application is different. Inc axle
of the wheel is here in the center. and the
outside gear drives the axle gear by means
of four intermediate c0gvneelS, as shown
in the cut. In this wheel, however. greater
speed is possible with the same expenditure
of exertion, the axle makingsthree reY0lu-
tons to one of the pedal.
The sensational performance OF John ).
Johnson on the kite-shaped track at indie
pendence, Iowa, has developed keen and
sudden interest in the elliptical sprocket
wheel, which differs
from the Others only in
u !. !. !. !.
shape. Like the pneu- /~
matte tire it is not new, ~
but was tried years ago A/N2
on various forms of ma C/Od1
chinery and condemned CSEtl
as impracticable. To- WI w /
day it fairly has the cy- * J
cling world by the ears.
A treatise on the subject
gives as the chief claim
and Characteristic Of tue Eiliptical sprocket
ellptical sprocket means Of overcoming or
eliminating what IS commonly known as
the dead CENTER and, while seemingly
applying uniform power, has the advan-
tage OF driving greater gear when bear
ing away from the dead center" than the
rider would ordinarily be able to obtain.
Let 1t be supposed that in bearing away
from the dead center" on one pedal rider
is propelling wheel geared to seventy-five
inches, while as the dead center" is ap-
preached he is pr0pelling q wheel geared 10
sixty-three inches. The real gearing of his
wheel is ascertained in the mean between
the two gears above mentioned which
would net him 69-inch gear In this way
man Is enabled to ride with uniform ease
high-geared wheel on a low-geared plan,
assuming that sixty-nine inches Is a low
gear.
1t may be added, however, that sixty
nine Inches Is not a low gear except in
theory when compared with those that are
higher. Indeed. the almost unanimous
judgment OF the best riders is that anything
above sixty is too high for everyday use on
the road. The ambitious amateur must not
forget that to ride on prepared track is
one thing and 10 push wheel over country
roads quite another affair. Whether or not
the ellipticai sprOcket Will justify the claims
of its friends yet remains to be conclusively
proven.
For the benefit of the uninitiated IL NAV
be well to explain that a srroeket is the
larger OF the two toothed disks over which
the chain runs.
Nearly all the members OF the league
have already sent in their ballots for officers
of the California Division. However. the
polls do not close until November Is. and
all votes received before that date will be
counted. While il is impossible to predict
the result, the Indications clearly point to
the election Of Chief Consul Strong and the
majority of the reform ticket In this con-
Iiecti0n "a Garden City Cyelist" Is referred
to in the Bicycling World and l.. A. w.
Bulletin OF October IA for the communica-
ton referred to last week, In which the re-
formers were called suffers" and the
gentlemen who have recently Joined the
league compared to so many Cinnamon"
The national officials have been asked to
state whether this sort of abuse is proper
in journal which is supposed to be their
official organ.
There are unpleasant rumors going about
to the effect that ballots have been sent Ia
bearing the forged signatures Of league
members. the object being TO nullify fhe
genuine votes. This fraud. if II has been
practiced. will be OF no avail, for if dup icate
names are discovered during the count an
Investigation will result and somebody NAV
be convicted Of forgery.
Friday evening was ladies night at the
San Francisco Clubhouse. There was a
large attendance Of the fair sex. and the
festivities were kept up until late hour.
a new bicycle club, composed Of members
OF the Athenian Club, las been Organized
III Oakland. The charter members are:
Thomas Bennett, E. ID. Vincent, DR.. Cool.
p Dr. +. ). B9yes, Chauneey Taylor. John A.
DR.. G.. t. R0dolph and Roscoe Haven.
L. b. Jerome OF the Custom-house has been
elected captain Of the club.
The rain yesterday caused the postpone
ment OF the Bay City Clubs road race
which promised to be one OF the most sue
cessinl events OF the season.
Captain Pixley Of the San Franciscos has
returned from his travels looking as brown
as berry and feeling as happy as ever.
Not TO know Hopkins Of the CycIery Is
to argue yourself unknown. He is one of
the most genial gentlemen who ever
mounted wheel, and though not::so speedy
as OF yore, can still keep up with the pro-
cession.
1t is reported that Zimmerman will ride