The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-04-12

apparent that this form Of construction
gives a strong frame and less weight
The seat is placed on the apex or the
rrangle. and TIE makers claim that
owing to the stiffness of the frame the
rider receives less Of the jar on uneven
roads than is felt on the ordinary wheel
and that the wheel can be driven harder
and faster than any other. This wheel
will make n great bid for the favor OF
the women. II can be ridden in a walk
ing dress. Il desired. In dismounting, in
voluntarily or otherwise. there is moth
ing TO catch to the skirt or throw the
rider"
The brains OF inventors and manufac-
turers are concentrated these days on the
bicycle more than they ever were since
Michaux lived, SAYS the New York Her
aid. improvements to make the wheel
the very acme of perfection are being
patented hy the scores. Nearly every
week a bicycle with some improved al
tachment Is turned out by the manutac-
turers, and tour Of the stores yester
day disclosed many new devices That VIII
gladden. the heart of every wheeiman
when he sees them.
a PNEUMATIC HUB.
A pneumatic hub is one Of the latest.
The principle involved is I'm the applica-
ton of an air chamber of rubber between
the wheel Of the machine and the frame.
The air chamber IS provided with valve
stem and valve 4 vell-known rubber
comranv manufactures the chamber, and
IL is claimed that % per cent. OF pure
Para gum enters into its makeup. This
with the fabric. gives receptacle which
will resist a pressure of COO pounds 10 the
square inch.
It IS claimed that a hub Of this char
acter will render the movements or the
wheel smoother and give freer move
ment TO the pedals. thus insuring greater
speed with less eXertion on the part of the
rider. The weight OF wheel fitted with
one OF these hubs Is not increased
particle.
4 STRAP TO STEER WITH.
A steering strap which permits cyclists
10 ride "hands off, has Just been put on
the market During long ride Il Is a
rrcat relief to the rider 10 relax his grip
on the handle bars, IL only for few
moments BY using this strap even he
ginners can ride with their arms folded.
The strap is fitted on the body in much
the same fashion as n shoulder brace
crosspiece resting on the shoulder blades.
The length of TIE strap is adjusted by
buckles. The strap can be folded and
carried in the pocket when not in use.
DETACHABLE DRESS GUARDS.
One OF the new devices in connection
with the bicycle-of which there seem 20
be no end-provides for detachable dress
guards on vomen's wheels Those who
have had experience In cleaning such
wheels know how difficult IT Is TO get at
the chain and some other parts on the
chain side without removing the guard
that protects the chain. which Is usually
fastened by three or four screws or bolts.
II Is not an operation that one wishes 10
undertake oftener than necessary. one
wheel now on the market has the guards
over the chain. and also over the rear
wheel. fastened by hooks attached TO
short coiled springs, so that all of them
can be removed In fifteen seconds. 1t IS
q little thing. but will prove conven-
fence az times
he STOPPED THE WHEEL.
wish the people who write those mar
velous directions Of what V do IN an
emergency would print at the top Of the
column In the very largest type. Don't
try 10 dodge a bicycle" said a Washing
ton gentleman 10 n writer in the Amer
ican Wheelman. | am sure IL would ma
teriallv decrease the number Of bicycle
accidents A marked copy ought 10 70
10 a woman saw In X street the other
day She was crossing the street when
OF a sudden, she saw bicycle bearing
down on her. She gave a scream and
stepped back-another scream and sprang
forward. Then. with series OF screams,
she wabbled back and forth, the man on
the wheel all tho time trying to avoid
her. Just when her destruction seemed