Birmingham state herald., 1896-11-01
THE cHAINLEss BICYCLE.
Experts Believe It Is Practical and to Be
 the Wheel of the Future.

the Wheel of the Future.
 Experiments with the chalnless bicycle have been in progress for the past twelve months in this country and abroad, with the result that a machine of this kind is now manufactured in France, and several firms in this country have expressed their intention of placing wheels similar in con- struction on the American market next spring. The introduction of chainless bi- cycles in this country occurred several years ago, but their sale was limited, due to the manufacturers lack of financial backing and the failure of the makers to produce dura ble, easy running machine of this nature. These difficulties, it is now claimed, have been overcome, and one of the leading manufacturers of this country, who proposes to make chanless bicycles next year, claims to have tried one for 1S,000 miles, and that for all- around riding it has stood the test won- derfully
 Riders who watch the progress of b- cycle construction are greatly interested in the proposed change in gears and con- siderable curiosity is felt as to the de- mand that will be made for these new chainless wheels. When the safety wheel was first introduced riders claimed that it was merely a passing fancy, and that it could not supplant the old high bicycle. The chadnless bicycle will likely be re- ceived with the same spirit, and, like the first safety, it will, with continued im- piOASHitllls 1lhtly IDiVt Lilt SCdl oub of existence in the same manner that the high bicycle has been retired Some wheelmen are skeptical as to the success of the chainless wheel and the cautious rider feels that it will do well to Use the ordinary chain gear for next season. but al the same time to keep an observant eye upon the new-fangled arrangement and it's success.
 Riders of experience realize that the chain gear at times causes an endless amount of annoyance from stretching, rusting, and its adaptability to pick up dirt. In spite of its drawbacks it is at the present time found eminently satisfae- tory because it is the best thing on the market today. Outside of all the new devices intended for gear attachments, the bevel gear is likely to give the best satisfaction. The picture of the safety bicycle presents the safety chainless wheel with beyel gear. This picture presents neat appearance, as the ordi- nary chain is disposed of. In point of weight it is said that the bevel gear will not be any heavier than the ordinary chain gear. A point that will make the beVel gear popular is the claim to clean Illness. The gears, front and rear, are entirely enclosed, and at the same time can be kept constantly immersed in oil, insuring perfect satisfaction. Examina- ton of the wheel and gearing shows that it is simple and direct. The usual crank shaft carries, instead of the ordinary large sprocket, a beveled gear of suitable size, meshing with which is a smaller gear, the shaft of which passes either through or over the right rear fork. The rear end of this shaft carries another small gear which meshes into a corre- spending gear on the rear hub instead of the usual rear sprocket. At each end this shaft is carried on ball bearings, which are arranged in such way that wear can be taken up without affecting the meshing of the gears. The bearings for the hub and crank are of the usual form.
 When the bearings are once adjusted there is rarely any need of changing, but when necessary it can be done as readily as with any simple bearing. A mechani- cal expert in discussing the relative mer- it's of the chain and the bevel gear says:
 "The chain requires frequent adjust ment to compensate for the stretching, which brings in it's train a change of pitch and it's attending evils, roughness of running increased friction, etc. With the bevel gear you have no such difficult ties. There is no lash as in the chain, owing to the fact that the gear fits, whereas in the chain gear there is never true fit between the chain and the sprock- ct wheels. Further, the twisting strain on the rear part of the frame is entirely removed, thus admitting of light frame construction. Being enclosed in dust proof cases, the gears are protected from dirt, which insures long life to the wear ing parts. The cases are also waterproof, so that even after exposure to rain storm the gears and bearings will run as freely as before. The chain, on the con trary, will have the lubricant washed off and the rivets coated with rust. It will stick and grind and the chain will jerk and climb the sprockets, straining the frame severely, sometimes even to the point of breaking. The bevel gear should have decided advantage ill its lightness of running"