The Portland daily press., 1896-05-15
MONEY SPENT FOR WHEELss
What Is Paid Out by the Makers and the
Users of Bikes.
(From the N. Y. Herald.)

(From the N. Y. Herald.)
Some of the larger companies have
capital invested in the manufacture of
bicy cles alone aggregating Sc, Ooo, 0Oo.
Yet, as has been shown, these firms are
but tithe of the whole, and the indus
try is gro wing larger and more wide
spread every day.
Judging from the capital invested in
our own concern" said the manager of
one of these firms to me, 81 should say
that $50, 000, 900 to $40, 900, 600 would be
conservative computation Of the amount
of capital invested in the bicycle indus
try in this country. And this is for the
manufacture of bicycles alone. do not
include those necessary accesgories-sad-
dies. lamps, bells, chains, tubing and
odd parts. The manufacture of these
articles has necessitated tn building of
specially constructed plants attached to
existing factories, and, of course, the en-
ployment of many hundreds of addi-
tonal hands. In these achievements I
do not think am overestimating when
I say that another $40, 600, 600 or SIS, 000,
600 has been invested in the last three or
four years, and with perfectly satisfac-
tory results.
There is. however, peculiar and al
togethe r unlocked for change ID process.
When the industry started upon its truly
remarkable course bicycle makers were
unprovided with machinery and tools for
the manufacture of certain parts of The
wheel, such, for instance, as those made
with screw machinery. This was almost
entirely done by one firm, whose bust
ness in consequence increased enormous
ly. Necessity is the mother Of invention,
you know, and as 1t soon became evident
that these parts could be made more
cheaply than they could be bought there
very quickly arose bright engineering
geniuses in nearly every establishment
who set themselves to the invention of
new and improved machinery with which
to make them on the parent premises"
II do not fear contradiction, said the
manager of one of the largest athletic
sundries concerns in the country to me-
"when declare my belief that there is
not trade in the United States that has
not been benefclally affectrd by the BIZ
Cycle industry. Why, even the butchers
are benefited by the improved health aud
healthier appetites of the people. But
that is entirely by the way. Members
OF every trade have found it to their ad-
the many necessary adjunots to the BIZ
cyle pastlne.
The leather goods people have found
1T necessary to invest in a special class
of goods favorable to the manufacture
of saddles, bags, valises and such like
sundries. The shoemakers now make
specially designed shoes, laggings, ETC.
The glove makers are affected Watch
makers manufacture and keep on sale
cyolometers and such like instrum ents of
precision. Photographic apparatus
makers turn out specially designed cam
eras. Wood workers and cane workers
and cork cutters, engravers, looksmiths
and newspapers all have found it posi-
lively necessary to invest more or less
capital in various branches of the bicycle
industry. The total capital thus invest
cd, entirely outside of the actual manu-
facture OF bicycles, cannot be far short
Of $40, 600, 600 or $50, 600, 900. The invest
ment is spread over an enormous area. !"
A little sum in arithmetic is necessary
to get at the amount of money spent by
the devotees of the new pastime
Prices of wheels vary from $50 to 500
and upward; SIS may, therefore, be pretty
safely accepted as an average first cost to
the owner Of a bicycle. Put down an
other S. for such adjuncts as lamp bell,
cylometer and a few useful, handy tools.
There is possibly a suit of bicycling
clooHos, Wuicu may Us oStlmateu aI @&u
and then for the simple repairs that may
be needed whilefon long trip and away
from the regular shops of the maker.
These are not likely to exceed S5 in
year. The guaranty given with all BIZ
Cycles covers all ordinary repairs not the
result of carelessness or accident caused
by the owner. Together these sums,
which include first cost, amount to S1U5
Now, by the end of the season rider
may have tired of his "bike" or seen one
he likes better, and wishes to make an
exchange. His old machine and $50 to
$50 will procure him brand new one of
the latest model Hence we may take
it that the annual expense of keeping a
bicycle. inclusive of first cost, is about
500, or say 81 per week. This, of course
does not include refreshments on jour-
neys, hotel and other incidental expenses