Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-10-17

ments- Most of them have already pretty
well determined next seasons models and
patterns; the next thing Is to keep the fac
tories running all winter to supply the
spring demand.
sharper line of demarkation will be
drawn next year than ever before, between
the cruising and the racing bicycle-be-
tween the light, high-geared machine for
track use and the wheel of moderate gear
and weight which can be relied upon for
ordinary roads. There is a considerable
reaction against the nineteen-pound wheel,
as used by heavy riders on the road. Sc
date riders who are more fond of scenery
than speed will be perfectly satisfied with
a weight of between twenty-five and TWEEN
ty-seven pounds, while track racers will be
built as low as twelve.
The gearing of the shaft is no longer a
novelty. Many firms will probably make
chainless bicycles for next year, as the
principle Of the bevel-geared cog is so
familiar in mechanics that simple applica-
lions of 1t can hardly be covered by patent
any more than the chain and sprocket ar
rangement now universal. The chainless
gears will especially commend themselves
to women, because they will require no
skirt guards and will cause no CRIME of
mingled oil and dust within sight or touch
An alternative will be the possible employ
ment of gearing case, after the English
FASHION, TO cover completely the chain and
sprockets. This will have some of the same
practical advantages. but will be clumsy
in appearance. besides adding a pound or
30 to the weight Of the finished wheel.
Increasing the Gear.
The gear even of roadster wheels is con-
stantly rising-ffty-six. sixty-three and six
tyeight being successive landmarks of the
process Next year one of the famous New
England firms will build no gear below
eighty for mems wheels unless specially
ordered. This year the standard wheels
have varied between sixty-eight and seven
ty-two. Next year seventy-sx will be con-
sidered about medium. AS the gear Is
raised the necessity of a brake becomes
more urgent. Back-pedaling, as a means
of stopping a high-geared wheel In swift
motion, is hardly adequate for an emer-
gency. Equipped with a brake, the rider of
a Acknowledgements can ascend hills of fair
grade and descend any steep which Is fit
for carriages. Women's wheels will lie
geared between sixty-three and seventy
two A low gear, short crank and a
high seat are the combination for a lady
who would ride gracefully rather than rap
idly, as these conditions reduce the ugly
knee action to a minimum.
Wooden handle bars are to be used by
many builders a means of saving a few
ounces of weight. and may become nearly
as universal as wooden wheel rims. Handle
bars-and. indeed. an entire running gear
Of aluminium would be much better rela-
lively to weight, but the cost is as yet pro-
hibitive of general use.
Tires are susceptible of practically no
Improvement. Single tube tires of small
dimensions will be almost universal on
racing machines. but the middle-aged
cruiser will still use on the road the 81
size to best advantage. 1t is curious that
while the wheel itself has SO rapidly i'm
claim. not as good as three years ago
The tremendous development of new
general use for rubber has so oyerta xed
the sources of supply that 1t is hard to
get enough good rubber. The principal
tire makers, who all guarantee their wares
are put to great loss by the constant ne
cessity of replacing defective tires.
The Question of Price.
Whether the cost of high-grade bicycles
Is to be reduced from 500 no one will
Know for some time yet. Some makers
propose TO step in the other direction by
making line of specials at $I15 or si25
1t was a significant fact that the Pope
Company. which reduced Hartford wheels
from $50 to SIS last summer, raised the
active was the demand that the makers
were unable to keep up with it, And
when several thousand fairly good wheels
were sold at SIS each, as a bargain sale
attraction at New York, people tainted
and were bruised In the crush about the
counter 1t looks as IL the bicycle hun
ger were not yet appeased, and until IL
Is price reduction is not likely to be very
radical
Whatever the list price. no one need now
or next year, pay Sf0O for f1rst-class
wheel. II he is willing to buy 1t second
hand There are so many "cranks'' who
Insist upon having the very latest models
that there are usually In the market plenty
OF httle-used secondhand wheels of the
best makers. and obtainable at from $40
to $6O each. Bicycles of the best 90 grades
In good condition are certainly fine enough
for any but cranks or racers to use in
1897 "
There is dodge, too. by which practical
~ new wheels. fresh from the shops, are
OFTEN sold at from SO to so off.
know Of one racer who bestrode twenty
seven Inherent mounts before the season
OF 90 had come to a cloee.