The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-10
MUSHROOM BICYCLE TRADE.
1,1<3 Different Kinds OF Wheels Have
Been Registered.
New York Evening Sun.

New York Evening Sun.
Walking through the principal business
streets OF New York one constantly sees
bicycles displayed for sale in windows Of
stores, the regular business Of which seems
strangely ncongruous with the trade in
wheels. Here 1t is a jeweler placing on the
market new and perfect machine;" here
a harness and leather goods concern which
presents to the public 'faultless Uachine"
at half the standard price; this store is used
by clothing firm which has added bicycles
to its stock in trade. and the one across the
street by some refrigerator, arms or sewing
machine company which has been affected by
the existing demand.
These so-called bicycle manufacturers have
sprung up like mushrooms Of late. Every
month brings forth a new and extensive
crop. How many will survive the season is
a question hard to answer, for the men who
go into the business and find it Improbable
for the most part drop out as quietly and
quickly as they came and resume their old
and accustomed lines Of trade.
An examination Of list OF the various
kinds OF bicycles made in this country, COM
piled by an expert last year, gives about
$50 different names. 1t Is true that number
of the companies placing these wheels on
the market own and sell more than one kind,
bicycles are not named at all. In February
last there were LAB different kinds of wheels
made and registered in this country. In
other words, within three months time SEQ
new makes of bicycles were placed on the
market. But this does not mean that 300
new factories S were started srs a., I'm fact It is
differ greatly In anything but name.
When a clothing firm announces that 1t is
selling new and peerless Wheel ,S or jewel !,
seldom means. that they are actually manu-
featuring. The great majority OF these small
'manufaeturers' do not manufacture at ALL
In the United States to-day there are more
than 200 factories where parts are made.
made solely steel pipe and now makes tubing
for wheels; a ruooer company that has In
cluded tires in its list OF products: wire
works that makes a speciality Of spokes or. a
factory that turns out bearings pedals.
sprockets and chains. There are some shops
that make all the parts used in a wheel.
machine. Their business is to supply the
small manufacturers" There is even in
New York one factory that makes name
Hardly more than fifteen companies in the
country really make their own wheels
throughout. Some concerns make absolutely
everything; others make some parts and pur-
chase the rest. and great majority do not
make piece of their wheel but buy the
parts and join them.
there is millions in it," wishes to go into
bicycle making and selling. To found a
complete factory. requires enormous capital.
1t is easy, though, TO rent a small shop. buy
tubing for the frames. spokes, tires, chains.
pedals. handle bars. bearings. ETC.. and join
and the pse With the Of the
wheel lettered on it, purchased and placed on
the wheel. And a new bicycle, peerless
and from our own factory" is ushered into
Machines made after this fashion really
differ but little. except IN slight details. and
be found bearing different names in different
sections OF the country.
OF the best wheels. costing in the neigh
borhood OF 800. each is made wholly by one
company. Every part is carefully tested be-
fore the finished wheel is placed on the mar
ket. and every detail is attended to with the
that buys the tubngs for frames at one place
and the wire spokes at another. and the
wooden rims at another, and then joins them
1t is these wheels that bearing impressive
names, are to be found for sale at cheap
rates in the general stores; though some OF
ton.
1t is difficult to estimate the profits to be
gained from this business OF constructing
bicycles. Judging from the number of men
and manufacturing companies who have en-
tered the field they must be large.
member OF one OF the largest bicycle
manufacturing companies in this country,
in speaking on the subject. recently said:
what know or this business of buying
parts ana putting tnem togetner INTO WneelS
/ have learned entirely through hearsay. I
should judge that concerns that do this. il
they sell their wheels. make at least l5 or 90
per cent. profit. The parts needed 10 make
a wheel can be purchased for about so in
a roughly finished condition. Completed they
cannot be worth more than $40, and they sell
panies that make their own parts and con-
struct standard wheels necessarily have 10
keep their price up. They have been affected
many firms into the business and the conse-
quent rate cutting and rate cutting there
has been in spite OF all denial on that sub
iect The business, however, will regulate
itself. The flttest will survive. as always.
Doubtless scores Of these mushroom makers
will slip back into their old lines OF bust
ness before the end Of the season.
when a man Is learning to ride q wheel
made by some concern that originally made
soap or harness It does very well. but the