The herald., 1896-09-28
CYCLES, PRESENT AND FUTURE.
The Form Now Seems Fixed, and
Changes Will Be Only in Minor Details.

If Kirkpatrick Macmillan, the Scotch
mechanic, who, about 1910, fitted sys-
tenn of levers and cranks to the back
wheel of the wooden velocipide which
he had constructed, and was thus EN-
abled to propel himself, to the aston
ishment and admiration of his contem-
poraries, may be supposed to take any
interest in modern mundane affairs, he
must be in a beatific state of self-con-
graduation On the pawkiness and can
niness of his idea. Before his gaze, when
he can spare an eye for earthly mat
ters, will defile an endless line of riders,
of both sexes and all ages, of all ranks,
from kings to chimney sweeps, from
queens to shopgirls all gayly whirling
along on pleasure or business intent, on
machirrs which are the amplification OF
his own crude construction. On the
adoption of the cycle into the everyday
life of the people rests great indus
try. 1t was estimated at the end of the
last year that about 100000 cycles were
made in Great Britain in twelve
month, of which Coventry made nearly
100000. This year, however, has seen
such a spread of enthusiasm for the
wheel that the figures must be greatly In
advance of the previous records. There
are several factories in Coventry turn
ing out about 500 machines weekly;
while some of them, in weeks of extreme
pressure, working day and night, have
ST.
American firms claim to have surpassed
these figures, and in France and Ger
many the production has certainly in
creased enormosuly. Thus it would ap-
pear to be safe to assume that the pre-
Vious years production has been doub-
led. When the numbers of dependent
Industries are taken into consideration,
making the tires, saddles, lamps, bells,
chains, gear-cases and other parts and
equipments that go to a complete ma
chine, 1t is evident that here is q field
for labor which should not be interfered
with by taxation or in any other way,
without very good cause being shown.
Coventry alone employed $4,000 hands
at the beginning of the year, and no
doubt has many more now. If, then, the
number of persons working in connec-
ton with cycling in the whole country
is considered, it must be regarded as a
most remarkable thing that such a vast
trade should have been set up in, COM
paratively speaking, SO short a time
OF course the most striking part of the
boom" in cycles has been the demand
for ladies' machines. The fair sex has
taken the wheel to it's heart of hearts.
and, as a result, in Coventry, Birming-
ham, Nottingham and the other chief
cycle manufacturing centers are found
extensions of works solely for the manu-
facture of steeds for the feminine rider.
Not few of the leading makers have
turned out more ladies' than mems BIZ
cycles. The wheelwoman's machine of
today is very different article from that
which was offered her when, only two
years ago, the number of fair riders, al
though pretty large, yet showed no
symptoms of swelling to it's present
proportions, and when the manufactures
did not pay special attention. to the
drop-frame type. She can now obtain
dainty bicycle, weighing, complete
with gear case and dress and mud
guards, only twenty-six pounds; and
the various appointments are adapted
to her special needs. 1t is an extraordi-
nary fact that it was difficult a couple
of years back to get a bicycle for femi-
nine use fitted with pedals suited to the
slender proportions of her feet. Whether
it was due to lack of, perception or want
or gallantry on the part of cycle manu-
facturers we cannot say; but they did
not appear to have noticed that ladies'
feet are not, as rule. quite so large as
mems! However, nous avons change
tout celia; and the lady cyclist can now
obtain a bicycle specially designed for
her requirements, which not only en-
bodies all the necessaries of the pastime
but to which ingenious persons are quitv
ready to fit all sorts of fads and luXuric
If she be so minded.
Among the improvements that have
made the cycle of today the comfortable
and speedy vehicle which it is, the chief
is undoubtedly the pneumatic tire. The
narrow tread and narrow handle bars
are points which have added greatly to
the case of propulsion and the comfort
of the modern safety; more than would
be credited by those who have had an
opportunity of comparing the old and
new bicycles. Nevertheless, fashion.
running always to extremes, is in dam
ger of OVERRIDING these points, for too
/, 10 I>,r hQ0 oh nd
are apt to catch the knees in turning,
while if the tread is less than about 41s
inches the distance between the f1anges
of the hub of the back wheel becomes too
small to give the side support to the rim
through the spokes necessary to make a
strong wheel. Another valuable i'm
proyement is the gear-case 1t is surely
plain to the most unmechanical mind
that to run a chain unprotected from
dust and mud must cause great waste
of power through the friction which the
parties of grit set up, and, as matter or
fact, the light modern chains can hardly
be expected to stand 1T.
These are the chief factors in the
success of the present bicycle. What of
the future? Well, it does look as II the
designs were becoming pretty definitely
fixed now, and that there is little chance
of any except minor improvements:
However that is exactly what was said
1uSt before llle safety DeSdll W liielhS 10
way and again before the pneumatic
tire revolutionized nearly everything;
SO that it behooves the prophet to be
very wary. Nevertheless, we venture to
think that the design and weight of
next years bicycles will not be much
changed. 1t has been mooted that the
cross tube of the frame should have its
slope altered little to suit the more
forward position of the sadie, Whichd is
now accepted as correct, and, like other
changes, is being overdone. Barrel hubs
will become more general, in spite or
the fact that the various patents form
the subjects of patents, since they pos
sess great advantages over the cup and
cone form. They are as nearly DUST
proof as it is possible for hubs to be,
and they are also oil-retaining. They
can be run for three months without
fabrication, although giving little oil
occasionally is the wiser method OF
dealing with them. Gear cases and
brake will be more common, the latter
owing to the stir which has been made
in consequence of frequent accidents.
| AS to tires he would be bold man
who would prophesy. The present chief
natterns are certain to remain, but in
| this period of tire development one can
| not tell what certain new forms will
! nrove to be worth. There is one thing
sure. however, that tires which are not
| detachable from the rim for repair will
| continue to decline in popularity.-Lon-
| don Daily Telegraph.