The record-union., 1895-08-31
BIG DEMAND FOR CYCLES.
OUTPUT of Wheels Estimated at Nearly
100000 This Year.
Most Remarkable Season That the
Manufacturers Have Ever
Known.
Known,

AuOWns
While il 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 10000 and 100000 wheels. a
majority Of close observers in the trade
would doubtless fl the figures al 45O,ooo.
Such large number of wheels repre-
sents an enormous outlay, particularly
when it is calculated that each wheel sells
for an average price Of not less than 800.
At this rate the sum produced is SZ9. 200, :
coo.
This has been the most phenomenal
season the cycle trade has ever known.
In many cases the manufacturers nave
been unable, even though running their
factories night aud day, to keep abreast
with the demand. New operators in the
producing field have sprung into exist
ence in all parts of the country, and
while some have made mistakes and
gone under, the majority have protted
largely by the popular demand.
There are about 80 large and small con-
Germs 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 ork Times:
II don't believe there is a carriage
manufactory 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 num-
Der in the field next year. 1t seems to
be the general idea among these people
that the perfect bicycle has not yet ap-
peared. and they believe better wheel
will line their pockets with gold"
President A. @. Spaldiug of the Ma
tional Cycle Board OF Trade was asked
about this years output and other mat
ters relating to the industry, and this is
what he said:
IAN effort has been msde-a feeble one,
perhaps-to ascertain the exact magnI-
tude of this years business, but it has
been found to be an impossibility. 1t is
enormous, however, as any casual OBJ
server can tell. but when it comes TO
figuring on the actual output, 1t resolves
itself into mere guess.
"What would be my guess? Well, IL is
nothing but guess work, but il you con-
slider my opinion OF any value, l will tell
you. l have heard it stated that certain
output as 500, 900 wheels. Now, that is a
high estimate, Pm 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,n no doubt,
have been to many stores, and have nat
urally examined many makes. Perhaps.
III a number of cases, the statesmen have
become possessed Of the idea that future
sales to these people were assured, and,
go doubt, these probable sales have been
reckoned in the grand total. Between
425 900 and 400, 900 is my estimate, but, as
! said before, it is only guesswork, based
upon a superficial knowledge. and the
other man may strike nearer TO the BULBS
eye than !.
las to the future-next year, OF course
II believe every straw indicates almost
double the business Of the present year.
bicycling has come to stay. 1t is no
longer a pastime, generally speaking,
and L feel sure it will be universal
within few years. And the price?
il is my opinion that the standard makes
viii bring the Same sum next year that
they are now catalogued att
An intelligent talker on cycling mat
ters is }. }. Prial, a gentleman very IA
vorably known among the manufact-
urers, East and West. Only recently
MIR. Prial completed a tour OF the largest
factories throughout the State. and his
observations are very apropos.
This has been wonderful year in
the cycle manufacturing bus1ness," he
said. Very few makers were prepared
10 fill the orders given them, and the re-
suit has been general rush everywhere
in the trade. But l believe this years 3
business will be as nothing compared to
that which is to come next season.
may be talking rather large" but | be-
lieve the output in 1896 will be all OF
100000 wheels. Certain close observers
in the manufacturing business are basing
their calculations on the Teccrds of sew
ing machine sales. They argue that only
one machine was ever sold 10 a single
family, while it is more than likely that
some families will purchase several bi
cycles.
Il don't believe there will be many
radical changes in the SO models. OF
course, it is necessary that Some novelty
be offered to attract patronage, but
don't look for any great improvement
over the wheels Of to-day. The standard
makes on the market this year nave been
found to be well-made. attractive in ap-
pearance, and best Of all, durable. Some
new concerns are going into the business,
l unders land, believing that they can
place before the pu ublic wheel the su-
perior qualities OF which will be sutfi-
cient to attract buyers anywhere"
NJ. /. Bridgman, a gentleman known
extensively among the wheelmen of the
metropolis rs student of everything re-
lating TO cycling. gives it as his opinion
that next years business will be double
that of this year, ana one thing that
gives him this idea is the fact that not
one-half of the people possessing the oi-
cycle craze have yet bought wheels.