The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-26
BICYCLE MODELS FOR SO.
Rational Progress Seen ut the show
Improved Wheels.

New York Evening Post.
Comfort. pleasure and exercise have re-
placed speed, excitement and exhaustion as
the purposes to be served by bicycles. IL the
models for 1896 on exhibition at the bicycle
show in Madison-square Garden reflect the
predominating public demand. All the es-
sential notifications in structure adopted
by the builders OF standard wheels are in
the direction OF endurance and security and
away from the requirements for racing.
The "scorcher' is sacrificed to the moderate
rider, the bent-back monkey" (as the
street boys call him) is ignored in the in
terest and TO the hearty satisfaction OF the
upright man: and 1t is TO be presumed the
manufacturers know what is wanted. Any
way they stand TO lose a great deal OF mon
ey to the creators of freaks il the rational
human beings do not largely outnumber the
''cranks," for reason and common sense
have been appealed to by them this year
1t is not necessary TO take the bicycles
apart TO see this. The parts are on exhibit
ton separately, IL one cares to go into the
details. But even a rapid walk through the
aisles will be enough TO show what the ten
dency is. In the first place the conspicuous
models along the ratings OF nearly all the
larger exhibitsf have the upturned handle
bars. The dbwn-turned handles, which
make a wheel look like the skeleton OF a
Texan steer. are in the back part OF the
spaces. and when they are inspected. the
frames are those OF the racer" This was
the first sign of change noted. and the
agents were questioned about IL.
why have you the up-turned handle
bars on all your exhibition models?' asked
the reporter.
"Oh, you can nave any kind you like. sir.
Wen suit you. you know. sir But most peo-
pie are asking for the higher handles this
year. and you see, We have TO exhibit what
attracts the majority. If you'll step in. I'll
see that you are suited"
mo. it is information, not a bargain,
that is sought" and the reporter whirled
significantly the press badge.
Then the agent lost interest. ana the re-
porter had TO find one of the firm. He re-
peated in another way just what the sales
important element in his custom. In the
great mass of wheeling meE and women
nowadays the fellows who wanted TO double
up and race "a century against time were
only about per cent. Another manufacture
said u per cent, and others put the esti-
mate between these extremes. They all
agreed that his influence in the machine
shops had been too much considered in the
past and was diminishing under the sheer
force OF commercial interest he Still had
his wheel, but ii was a class more distinct
than ever. and unfit for an average rider
on ordinary roads. The time when the
w WAS to ny was
forever.
This explains In part the mucn-talked-of
increase OF weight in the 1896 bicycle. The
road racer has smaller tires than IT had
last year, and lighter tubing, too. But the
ordinary road wheel is heavier and sturdier.
because the people who mean 10 use IL on
all roads that lead to pleasant places are
in the majority. AS one salesman put IL:
Last year everybody was lifting wheels heels
and asking how much yours weighed. This
year they want TO know II she's strong
and easy-going and simple in ma. mak eco. "a
l lsS.s they hefted 's"' now they're feelln' Of
These men nave an experts scorn OF
'.them," but they expressed the will OF
the world on wheels. The handlebars
upturned showed that men wish to ride up
right and for health and exercise.
and "securer feel showed the demand COR
a bicycle that would stand the country
roads-in shoxt, for pleasure. Then therS
ladies and gents as like their ease" Tnus
one salesman said as he CAPPED his hand
on a saddle. 1t was wider IT the back. rsr~
rover along the stem, and had snub
nose. Others like il were on all the stand
ard machines, and the gnanimity enpna-
sized the general observation that comfort
for the seekers OF pieasu-e and healthfui
exercise was the end OF present day bicycle
building. If anything were lacking TO con-
firm IT, this statement of the head OF -
weli-known firm in explanation of the high
er gearing would complete the proof
1.-The average gear this year, at t. s
show Is seventy for mems wheels vs.
ventured so high because il was evident
the average rider is willing TO expend moro
strength rather than to have TO move MS
legs more rapidly. III is for the pleasure
of an easy, deliberate motion of the body
that the slightly increased tax on strength
IS made A higher rate OF speed was not
of riders do not care for. We have at
tanned all the speed really desired; do not
think one rider in hundred wishes TO 80
faster than he can now. You remember
how much was said last year about the mo-
tor-bicycle which was to do away with
all exertion and enable any speed. Wen,
then: now there isn't one The motor
bicycle may come, but IL will be mere
| il. they will return 10 the pedal. The BIZ
cycle hurt the riding-horse. but the trolley
The light wneeI, or course. conunues In
| existence and there Is some demand for ".
Along the sides of the great exhibition
which have the thin tires. the light tubing,
| and the down-bent handlebars. Ranged
ca P ahn ions e sharp. t and soi
| low. which reflect the satisfaction OF the
| scorcher and explain the shrewdness OF
| freaks. unable to compete with the stand
| ard bicycle factories, have chung to the old
| fiimsy model in the hope CT winning the
fast contingent. II looked to the crowd
| to-day as IL this end had been attained.
| One of the older manufacturers admitted
as much, but he did so without regret. This
| authority, thoughtful man, had an inter
| esting classification of bicycle riders and
| buyers. which he gave i'm connection with
| his remarks on the light wheel OF 1896.
He said the riders for pleasure were about
| 80 per cent. They more than that in the
| large cities, where the roads are good and
the business places not accessible on smooth
paths In the country the men who use the
| bicycle to ''go places" to ride to town. &c
| do errands. make visits. ETC.. are the great
element to be considered by builders. Blu,
| all these elements in the custom agree II
| the main on the requirements or wheel
| They want strength. durability ana long
| easy motion. The countryman has 10 have
| a wheel that will stano wear on roads fai
from perfect, SO that wheel for him salts
fies the city man who seeks exercise an<
| pleasure rather than high speed
| BY way of miscellaneous observation:
| which anyone can make in one visit. there
are attachments devised for carrying lug
| gage The number and ingenuity of thcss
| Indicate the use of the bicycle for Ions
! tours which the bIcvcle makers say Il
| growing among people OF leisure and amoni
| business rren in vacation months. There Il
the mechanical SIMPLICITY which saves re
own machine under all circumstances, saves
wear, and keeps out the dust. There is A de
crease of luxurious attachments. and Their
are the few but significant and sensib
| notifications OF the womans bicycle. Blu
these things will keep for another time.
is sufficient for the present TO have shown
that while the .scOrchers" say the ninety
sh..s .f., nsr