The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-06-21

week which viii be sold next week for
considerably less.
NOT ALL HIGH GRADE.
Just where the runner started. ~ COURSE
no one can tell. Nor can IL DE said that
the prices OF bicycles are being strictly
upheld There are good many wheels
listed at 500 which are not hgh-gIade
machines in any sense Of the word but
they are marked at the standard price.
and the hundreds of new riders who know
absolutely nothing about such matters arc
easily taken in when offered bicycle
Gust as GOOD as any in the market for
. perhaps o or SO l-3 per cent. off the sup
posed-to-he list price.
There are also instances I'm which ma
chimes that have the very highest repu-
tations are being sold for less than the
catalogue prices, but in most cases this
is done in am underhand manner Lcgiu-
mate agents are not permitted 90 cut
under any circumstances. and. if they DO
$50. they are in danger of losing their
agency, so. as a rule. wheels made 10y tine
largest makers. 81 advertised. are secured
from some source that Us bound 90 soon
De discovered and stopped
The prirSpal reason why no general re-
ductiOn of prices may Doe expected is that
manufacturers are not likely 20 encourage
anything OF the kind as long as they
have all they can do 60 hll orders az the
price which was determined upon 40 the
beginning OF the year. and the quickest
way 10 decide which machines stand least
I'm the estimation of the public is 10 watch
and see which are soonest compelled TO
cut because unable 10 sell at list.
SOME REDUCING.
There u.s. however. genuine reduction
going On am along the line i'm what are
known as medium-grade machines. this
cut having been authorized and sanction
el 10y a. number of the largest houses.
Strange as 1t may seem. the strongest
competition exists in the sale OF wheels
ranging in price from $50 TO 50 and il is
with am idea Of meeting the newer makers
who are putting out wheels AZ or near
tho first-named price that has impclled
some OF the oid-cstahlished manufactur-
ors to cut from So 10 50 off the catalogue
price.
This IS likely to throw n considerable
amount q trade In the way of the Older
houses. and 10 have "a correspondng.v
Depressing effect on the newer makers. and
may cause a further cut later on. In the
mean time IL is well for tho intending
purchaser 20 remember that this talk Of
cheap bicycles has been going on FOR
years. and that the day is by no means
near az hand when "a hrst-class machine
can be bought for the price which doubt
less many think IL should be sold for, nor
IS there are any likelihood that IL will
ba, SO it is better TO take the plunge at
once. and enjoy the pleasures Of the sport
without worrying about the possibility Of
trining reduction that is now entirely
problcmatical-Chica Inter-Ocoan.
MODEL or 1858.
A wooden bicycle alleged 10 have been
built I'm 1855 and to be the first pedal ar
ton machine constructed. is on exhibition
in the window of a bicycle house on
Broadway. and is exciting considerable
attention.
The wheel. which is reproduced. has
many novel features despite hs anti
guilty. The owner discovered the wheel
in "a small town near Utica y. Y, and,
appreciating its worth. purchased 10.
j.. l. foreman, Jr. who is a Well
known bicycle rider, informed the New
York World reporter yesterday that while
the wheel Is quite old and has no doubt
suffered some rough usage, IL Is In good
condition. 1t weighs los pounds. nearly
81 pounds heavier than the average bicycle
in use to-day. An ingenious and curious
part is the frame. which is piece OF iron
curved 20 iii the wheel.
The steering gear. while not elaborate
I'm either finish OF design. is very strong.
A large iron coaster is attached TO the
forks above the front wheel. The sad
de Is a large affair. being OF heavy wood.
is inches long and - inches wide and
is adjustable. as are also the pedals.
The diameter of the front wheel is Sc
inches. and the rear wheel Is inches. The
wheels are made of ash
This bicycle. which is regarded as a
novelty now. is valued al $500 When
wheels of this design were in use. cycling
trips consisted of short rides. which were
sufficient To exhaust the enthusiasm OF
the most ardent rider. The. cyclists cos
tune is to-day radically different from
those in use IN lS5S. In these days the