The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-12

They Must BE Chosen with Care
Their Various shapes.

Inc OUTLOOK
Except for the saddle the bicycle may be
many attempts are being made to answer
this burning question. good saddle en-
bodies anatomical modelling; selection to fit
thar IL may not alter in shape
with use; and adaptability, that
It may be- set at any angle, moved
tense. The anatomy of woman is such that
her saddle must differ distinctly from the
man 5. She Is also more susceptible 10 in
jury than is the man. and Ii is more difficult
to fit her saddle. Although the conforma-
ton differs as much in different individuals
as the shape OF the hand, Ii still Is an all
surdly common belief that a single perfect
saddle can be constructed to suit ell needs.
ManifeStly, each women must seek ont what
is adapted to herself, and. starting with
problem.
Some of the characters i'm saddles that are
to be noted and avoided are these: First
center ridge. This may occur from mis-
taken construction or from stretching of
the leather. Occasionally ii may be due TO
the bending downward of the outer ends
of the cantle or transverse rear iron of the
saddle: Secondly, high pommels are objec-
tionable. Saddles are occasionally con-
structed with a distinct downward sweep
In the center. A weak spring will cause
this sagging, and many saddles, though
level at first will be found to have a ham
mock shape after much use from stretching
OF the leather. Complex springs were once
lAuCl uScu uHueF SduuieS, out the tenUency
is away from coil springs toward a stiff fiat
spring which will prevent the formation of
the deep concavity A set screw to be
found in every good saddle. will allow the
sack in the leather TO be taken ou- Any
repairer will correct worse degrees of stretch
ing after fixing the spring in a wise.
Again, narrowneSs IS Objectionable. be-
cause the greater width of the pelvic bones
IN woman permits the wide arch to slip down
astride ridge-pole saddle, as it may not
happen in the case of man. Lastly. a
vicious tilt, such as an elevated front peak
or lowered front pommel, is to be con-
demned, and merely calls for mention here
because. some women do not appreciate that
very sight alteration in angie will make
Or the various available types of saddle
we may make a rough classification. There
is the most commonly used and most useful
OF all-the modified mans saddle of the
short, broad, fiat form, supplied with most
wheels on request: it should not be less tran
eight inches across at the back. There IS
the saddle built with pad on each side
and without front pommel Lastly, the very
broad siddle with a short, blunt pommcl is
coming into use and is suited To many wom-
en-. The directions that physicians should
give to intending riders these: That each
woman must be carefully trained by compe-
tent instructors as TO right posture, right
methods OF pedaling, correct height of sad
and, finally. should be told to insist that
the man who sells her a wheel must let Ger
make trial until she is suited with a sad
die. BY testing the machine Of ones friends,
not for half hour, but for 4 considerable
ride. and by experimenting with saddles at
different heights, positions, angles and ten
sion, one can arrive at comfortable re-
cul