The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-27
COMMoN-sENsE WHEELS.
The New York Show Sees the Deca-
dence of the Racer Type.

AS an evidence of the enormous range of
the mechanical part of the business 1t is
stated that fully one thousand different
this country, and the great bulk of these
are represented alt the present show. Last
year these represented an output of Aover
one million machines, and the supply has
not, by long way, overtaken the de-
mand.
The crowd of yesterday seemed to be i'm
bued with two pronourssd desires neither
of attainment. They wanted 10 see
every style and type of bike that was
10 be seen, and they all wanted souvenirs.
AS to seeing all the exhibits, critically and
intelligently, in one visit, IL is an absolute
physical impossiblity The boy, or man,
or woman, or girl, who really wishes to
find the time all too short to pass in re-
view even one-quarter OF what there is
TO see. And so far as the souvenirs are
concerned, the bigger firms have, by mu-
tual consent decided upon delaying their
distribution until later in the week.
One of the most salient features of the
show is that almost without exception the
machines shown-those of the newest type,
that is-are evidently produced for the ev-
cry day, ordinary rider. The leading firms
have seemingly given, given up up . .S to the
ing in the direction of lighter wheels, the
makers are looking after the interests of
places comfort before speed, pleasure ahead
of excitement, and who thinks exercise is
preferable to exhaustion, Is at last having
his innings
The day Of the bent-back rider, except
on race track, is over. 1t is easy enough
to infer this even by the most hurried
glance at the different makes on view.
Here and there, at the back of stall,
you can see the racing bike with the
turned-down handles, but the great bulk
OF all the machines that are placed prom :
inently in view have the sensible turned
up steering bar
Makers have learned by experience that
the racing man represents only about a
possible 10 per cent or the buyers OF BIZ
nonsense one. the greatest good for the
greatest number.
is the greater weight and strength shown
in the wheels that can be seen on every
side. The day is gone by when the generol
run of buyers asked first of all, How much
does she wegh?" Now the query is as to
strength simplicity of make and ease OF
gearing In short, manufacturers of bicy-
cles have learned that the best-selling ma
chine is not the one that can be driven a
century at a racing speed. but the wheel
that will take you fifty miles from home.
over any kind of road, and bring you back.
The light wheel will, of course. continue
10 be made. and there will always be some
demand for ii. Ranged at the back of
many of the stalls are various types of
gossamer machines, racing bikes" In
fact. with thin tires, light tubing, and the
turned-down handle bars.
But the average gearing of the regula-
ton road Wheel at tnis years snow IS ~
cause the makers, in feeling the publc's
pulse, became convinced that most men
were willing to expend little more
strength in pedalling, provided that they
would have to move their legs less rap
idly.
Another reason why makers are putting
more strength and consequently more
weight in the latest style of wheel Is, as
one of the biggest men in the business
explained II, 'becatIse We find a rapidly
growing demand from the rural districts.
where the roads are OF course, rougher
than in the cities. and where also stability
is of even greater value, because of the
difficulty of getting repairs made"