The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1895-08-15
BIG DEMAND FOR CYCLES.
Output Of Wheels Estimated as Nearly
100000 This Year.
ufacturers Have Ever Known-Facto-
ries Were Run Night and Day,

Most remarkable Season that the Man
ufacturers Have Ever Known-Facto-
ries We're Run Night and Day,
While it is almost an impossibility to
give anything like correct statement of
what the output of bicycles will be this
year, it is by common consent spoken of
as between 400, 900 and 500, 900 wheels A
majority of close observers in the trade
would doubtless fix the figures at 45O. Oo0
says the New York Times.
Such large number of wheels repre-
sents an enormous outlay, particularly
when it is calculated that each wheel
sells or an average price of not less than
$65. At this rate the sum produced is
500 $50, 900.
This has been the most phenomenal sea-
son the bicycle trade has ever known. In
many cases the manufacturers have been
unable, even though running their fac
tories night and day, to keep abreast with
the demand. New operators in the produc-
ing field have sprung into existence in
all parts of the country, and some have
made mistakes and gone under, the
majority have profted largely by the
popular demand There are about $50
large and small concerns in this country
engaged in turning out cycles, or parts
of this interesting vehicle, but next year
this number should be slightly increased,
judging from the talk one hears among
the trade. Said a well-informed travelling
salesman to a reporter for the New York
Times yesterday:
81 don't believe there is carriage
mandatory in the United States or Can
ada that has not this season considered
plans and schemes for the production of
bicycles, and there is sure to be a number
in the field next year. 1t seems to be the
general idea among these people that the
perfect bicycle has not yet appeared, and
they believe a better wheel will fill their
pockets with gold
President A. G Spalding of the Ma
tional Cycle Board of Trade was asked
yesterday about this years output and
other matters relating to the industry,
and this is what he said:
IAN effort has been made-a feeble one,
perhaps-of ascertaining the exact magni-
tude of this years business, but it has
been found to be an impossibliity. 1t is
enormous. however as any casual observ-
er can tell, but when it comes to figuring
on the actual output, it resolves itself into
a mere guess.
"What would be my guess? Well, it is
nothing but guesswork, but if you con-
slider my opinion of any value, will tell
you. I have heard it stated that certain
well-informed people give the probable
output as 5000 wheels Now, that is
a high estimate, I'm inclined to think. l
believe the people are apt to magnify this
thing through false or hasty calculation.
Thousands of people have not purchased
mounts this year, because they imagined
the price would go down sooner or later,
and now they are hanging off until next
season. These bargain seekers, no doubt,
have been to many stores, and have natu
rally examined many makes. Perhaps in
a number of cases statesmen have become
possessed of the idea that future sales to
these people were assured, and, no doubt,
these probable sales have been reckoned
in the grand total Between 1926, 900 and
400, 900 Is my estimate, but as 1 said be-
fore, it is only guesswork, based upon a
superficial knowledge, and the other man
may strike nearer to the bull s-eye than L
!" AS to the future-next year, of course
Il believe every straw indicates almost
double the business of the present year.
Bicycling has come to stay. 1t Is no
longer pastime, generally speaking, and
/ feel sure it will be universal within
few years. And the pricep Well, that is
ion that the standard makes will bring
the same sum next year that they are now
catalogued at -
An Intelligent talker on cycling matters
is J. J. Prial, a gentleman very favorably
known among the manufacturers East
and West. Only recently Mr.. Prial COM
pleted tour of the large factories
throughout the Safe, and his observations
are very apropos
This has been wonderful year in the
cycle manufacturing business, - he said.
Very few makers were prepared to fill
the orders given them, and the result has
been a general rush everywhere in the
trade But believe this years business
will be as nothing compared with that
which is to come next season. I may be
talking rather large, but I believe the
output in 1896 will be all of 700, 600 wheels
Certain close observers in the manufacture
ing business are basing their calculations
on the records of sewing machine sales
They argue that only one machine was
ever sold to single family, while it is
more than likely that some families will
purchase several bicycles.
Il don't believe there will be many
radical changes in the '96 models OF
course, it Is necessary that some novelty
be offered to attract patronage, but l
don't look for any great improvement
over the wheels Of to-day. The standard
makes on the market this year have been
found to be well-made, attractive in ap-
pearance, and best of all, durable. Some
new concerns are going into the business,
understand, believing that they can
place before the pubic wheel the supe-
rior qualities of which will be sufficient
to attract buyers anywhere. ="
M. L. Bridgman, a gentleman known
extensively among the wheelmen of the
metropolis, as student of everything
relating to cycling, gives it as his opinion,
that next years business will be double
that of this year, and one thing that gives
him this idea is the fact that not one half
OF the people possessing the bicycle craze
have yet bought wheels.