New-York tribune., 1896-12-06
IN THE CYCLING WORLD.
FEW CHANGES IN THE 1897 MoDEh''


NEW IDEAS IN CHAINs-THE PRESENT PRIZE MI
TO sE REprcED-RIDING IN COLD WEATHER.
coyera, of the models Of 1897 are already on
ovh,,,,,or in this city. and attract much notice
from all who have seen them. AT the heaud""
tore ~ other large bicycle concerns there are
a,,,, irou,ries as to when the new machines VIII
be ready. and to the visitors such answers "'o
,o,urnod as Come in in about three weeks OF
"If you'll drop in about fortnight iroih "o"
we will be able to show you something pretty
nice" So far as can be judged from the lie"
wheels already on the market or at ieas' o''
v,sv there will be few striking changes the COM
ing year In the ordinary styles OF picyc'es'
wbetber a practicable chanless wheel Will be
produced is yet to be determined. The large tuo.
ing now in such general use will be retained anu
barrel hubs have apparently come 10 s'ay -"
deed. one company which has hitherto adherco
to tho old-stvle small hub, has decided to use a
barrel hub. or something closely approaching IT,
on come Of its wheels. In its drop-frame wheeis
for women II may be added this same company
will continue to use the single rod to connect 'e
crank bracket with the head, but 1t VIII aiso pu.
out bicycle having double connecuon III ''o -,
mart Adjustable handie-bars promise 10 pe
largely used. and the manufacturers are ~, ,nu s
opinion that there will he large dei'anu @ io ~
wooden bars The representative or one Oh
them said, however. that for ms par s "b he aid
ferred a steel and nickel handle-bar, as ne ulu
not like the give" OF the wooden ones. aitnousl
that feature was a point IN lts lhVoI " '''',
riders account Of taking up vipra.iUnS % T., hich &
adjustable seat-post is also offered one III Will Will
the horizontal piece may De set ei'"ci i'' "'N
or backward Of the upright
A novelty seen on one OF the new picycies -
roller chain. 1t Is wider than the ordinary chain,
|
Is covered with roller. which turns easily and
is supposed to reduce the friction on the sprocKet
wheels It is doubtful whether the claim made for
this chain Is justified. The links or picycle
chain move only little out Of the main line OF
the chain as they touch and leave the sprockets'
and il is only these points that the rollers can
affect the friction. since when on the sproche.
the links move as II part OF the wheel sun u
small percentage Of reduction will tell In day
ride, and. possibly. in coasting. IL Is oiteh sup
posed that If one bicycle coasts raster tian an
other II is a sign that II has superior pear-
incs That may or may not be the case ne
chain of the more swiftly moving wheel may oe
cleaner or better fabricated. and the CONDITION
Of the tires whether hard or triiie soit may oo
an important FACTOR.
Those who have been looking for a reduction
in the price OF high grade bicycles next year
will find themselves mistaken. The makers OF
the really high grades are going to stick 10 the
| 500 price In spite OF the fact that one firm.
heretofore selling its product at that figure. has
made n cut TO $50. There is "A tendency In favor
OF direct spokes. as distinguished from those
which make a right t-anged turn at the head-a
point where breaks are likely to occur The
change in brakes. which some have been expect
Ing has not come. and the long familiar
pungcr brake will I've generally used. AT one
OF the we-known houses an attendant said:
Yes. shall furnish brake with every wheel
Il tp1A No
says he does not want IT, We have not been
able to find anything superior 10 the ordinary
style OF brake. There Is an impression that
tho city authorities may soon require all bl-
cycles TO be provided with brakes. and fancy
that most buyers Will take them so as TO be
prepared In case OF the passage OF such an or
diuance But many OF those who take brakes
with their wheels VIII not keep them on. unless
II becomes necessary to do So; they viii go on
breaking with the sole OF the shoe. which Is an
excellent way on many accounts. As a matter
| Of fact. one can put on more force with his foot
than w,,h - hand; an brake for 1er' is limit to
Now that toe clips are made that can be at
tached to the central part OF the pedal some
riders who formerly used rat-trap pedals only
are coming 10 prefer those with rubber fittings.
| The advantage Of tho rat-trap pedal IS that the
foot is less likely to slip on It. But when toe
clip is used II is impossible for the foot to slip
| or for the rider TO lose pedal. With rubber
| attachments for the feet 10 rest on, II is con-
tended that lees vibration is felt and that the
rider gets tired In the feet less quickly. The
! advantages OF toe-clips are many. There Is
sense Of security and snugness in using them
that IL exceedingly satisfactory. They assist
the rider both in hill,climbing and in back
pedalling. They are sold at such low prices as
| to be within the reach OF any one.
Tho time is at hand when a large number OF
riders arc putting away their bicycles for the
winter. Tho percentage OF those who will con-
tinue to ride during December. January and
February Is small compared with the total
number OF wheel owners When cold weather
arrives there Is little sport the wheel for
those whose occupations are such that they can
only ride early In the morning or after dark In
the evening. The lucky folk are those who can
ride during the midday hours What Is the best
thing to do with a wheel while 1t Is out OF COM
mission. to speak during the months OF win
ter ic q question that many riders ask anxious
| ly. II you have actually made up your mind
to DO more riding. no matter what the state
OF the weather you ready to have It an
swercd. in the first place. the machine should
be thoroughly cleaned. bearings and ALL II pos
sibe Then 1t Is well to rub the enamel and
especially the nickel parts with cloth on which
a little vaseline has been placed On the spokes.
hubs. etc. more vascline should be used, as 1t
will prevent the collection OF rust 1t Is wise
not TO debate the tires, even II tho bicycle is
allowed to stand on them when not in use The
better way is to place the machine on some sort
| OF stand that Will lift the wheels clear Of the
| floor and leave no pressure on the tires. II this
| Is not convenient the same result can be
complished by turning the bicycle upside down,
| allowing the weight to rest on the saddle and
| handle bar, protecting these from injury by al
| lowing them to rest on pieces OF soft cloth.
| From time to time the tires should be examined
| I'm the Of the winter. and II the air leaks
| out as II is sure to do the pump should be ap-
| piled and the tires kept fairly we'll filled. They
are much less apt to suffer injury II kept in
| nated than II allowed to so fiat.
| MANY rIdera however have No fhOupht ~ Inv