The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-08-25
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being poured into the bicycle market is
almost unprecedented. Bicycle tires, gears,
lamps. stands. and every part of bicycle,
have been used as a basis of experiment.
A clever Canadian offered to manufac-
turer neat and practicable little device to
make bicycles stand. 1t could, he said, be
carried on every wheel, and he wanted a
royalty. He was met by the response that
bicyclists were stripping their wheels of
every ounce of superhuous weight, and
that in the struggle for lightness many
men went so far as to leave the tool-bags
off their wheels, and in case of breakdowns
on the road they depended on kindly dis
posed bicyclists who carry theirs along.
Several devices have been invented for
facilitating the manufacture of wheels. 1t
is said that the woman's machine is diff
cult thing for the maker to produce, and
keep up to date, for the reason that the
Improvements are being made at a rapid
rate, the needs of the woman bicyclist
being better understood. Saddles are
turned out at terrific rate by a new
machine. One machine cuts the leather
into assorted sizes. These are passed into
another machine, and when they appear
again they are complete. The hub, wash
ers, spoke nipples and all the other small
parts are handled separately by skilled
men. One authority maintains that the
wheel of the future will be of wood, and
believes that the hickory bicycle will lead
all others in popular favor. There are
all sorts Of prophecies as to next years
BICYCLES, but so far there is little beyond
conjecture. What is announced is that
the wheel will be heavier by few pounds
and vastly stronger. The tendency is to
reaction against the lightness and flImsi-
ness of wheels that cannot stand wear and
tear. 1t is also said that the wheels will
have a greater diameter, and the
tire will be about one-half larger
than that now in use. This increase
in the size of the tire will be mainly in the
thickness of the rubber tubing, which will
lessen the liability to puncture; six-ply
rubber will not tear as readily as two or
three ply. Makers are looking to expend
their skill on lessening friction and in
creasing speed. Although the coming
carry rider much farther upon q like ex-
penditure of physical energy than the
wheel of to-day, and more safely. A large
Western syndicate is to put wheels on the
market next year for $50 each. This cheap
wheel will increase the number of riders,
for many persons will buy it, and thus be-
come prospective purchasers of a wheel
that will last, who would not learn to ride
for many years yet if they were compelled
to pay standard prices.
The HIaH-BuILDING PRoBLEM.-The ex-
ample of Chicago and Boston IN the mat
ter of the bodybuilding problem is to be
followed by New York. The question of
limiting the height of buildings in that
city is to become prominent subject for
discussion at the next meeting Of the Leg
isIature. If every owner OF a lot were to
erect a high building, the streets would
soon become mere canyons, preventing
the circulation of air and the penetration
of sunlight, and becoming menace to the
general health. Artificial light of any
kind is injurious, not only to the eyes but
to other organs Of the body. This results