The sun., 1896-10-18
THE CHAINLEss BICYCLE.
An EnGIish Critic Comments FavorabIy on
the Latest Invsntion.

An Engiish Critic Comments Favorably on
the Latest Invsntion.
Tho London Field has the following to say
upon tho chainless bicycle manufactured in
France and experimental with by Rivierre. tho
French racing man, in short and long distance
races: when II is necessary to locate the seat
of the development Of power in bicycle at .
point remote from that of Its application, much
of the success OF the design depends upon the
means by which the power is transmitted. In
the old high bicycle the power acted directly,
but. though there were manifest advantages in
this method, Il was one which did not
lend itself to employment in machines In
which small wheels were used. Various con-
trivances have from timo to time been
experimental with. but all these devices
were eventually discarded IN favor of the chain.
This was at once simple effective, and easy OF
application TO the machine, whether bicycle or
tricycle. ana 1t is now universally used that It
has come to ha 10, ked upon ms he best commu-
mic mt of power, SO much 40 thar inventors have
practically ceased their efforts to discover any
superior contriNhnce. II Ha> been the subject
chains. roller chains pivot charns. aud lever
chai's. There is no doubt however. that, while
ehsb but RMS small III ~ he
objections inherent to this means of trans
The wear IS Of course. much more rapid IL
the chain be exposed to the dust and dirt accu-
cases used, and in this country are regarded
u. almost indispensable. In addition to increas-
ing the weight aud cost of bicycle. these shape
less coverings are Rrea, dlshgurenents. An 1t is
only because riders have become accustomed to
them that they are tolerated.
AS we have said all the other methods q
transmitting power. 80 far as they were known
when. some ten or twelve years ago. tho present
type OF bicycle was adopted. The bevel gear
Hnown but Ss taP as our goes
the subject OF few experiments. and was either
condemned without any fair trial q II: It, merits
adaptation to bicycle. We remember TO have
sesn at The STANLEY sh1w q Th. .SSa annsa
tion OF bevel gearing, but We have not heard or
seen anything OF the mach me since During
the past two years a, hrm In Paris has been
manufacturing machine known a- the chain
less safety. and during he present season special
attention has been called to this By reason OF its
having been used with snccess, both on the road
and path. by Rivierre, the noted long distance
+ ench professional rider.
LAS our readers arc aware. we dissent alto
Rether from the deductions 1t is customarily
sought to make from the successes Of racing
men. as we consider them calculated to mslead
and deceive those who require b cycles for other
certain conclusions from phenomenal feAt., not
so much with the object of extolling the me'it
| of q machine as Of adiucing testimony to show
| that 1t cannot possess anv serious defect
Rivierre's great ride OF $40 miles on the path in
twenty four hour. ana MS bordss4I no =" ieris ATS
| tho late A. V. Linton are Incompatible with the
employment of inferior Appliances; and 10 that
ence may be drawn in favor OF tho chainless
gearing used by hi ina on those occasions.
Bevel gearing Is q common means OF trans
| mitting power In many kinds OF machinery. and
IT., application to the.hicycle is clearly shown.
gear wheel. tho cogs of which are cut on the
beyel. One Of these engages the wheel on tho
| the bevel. while the other engages the wheel
| fixed on the AK le OF the driving wheel: The
, by the disparity in the size between tho wheel
! on the pedal shaft ard that in connection with
Mbee ch 81 eeans onp np
| The hollow shaft runs upon bal bearings stu
sted under the gear wheels at either end A
| up any looseness that may arise from wear.
A plentiful supply OF special prep
cline, is placed on the wheels. and this acts as a
permanent lubricant. The gear. presents par
fact that the he's stay On the right hand side Of the
machine passes through tho hollow revolving
many people are at loss to comprehend how
the Communication between tho pedals and
We have had the opportunity of trying tho
ohainles- gearing on light machine of French
has been spnrd cannot % to please
| the eye And on this account alone It is sure %
prove attractive There !, r., n" @ emission Of oil to
with which 1t can be cleaned will commend it TO
many. couple of weeks riding has impressed
that experience permits us to form an opinion
we have no reason to regard tho chainless gear
Tho gear we used was about .7o-ineh,, and
It seemed quite canahlc of developing
psTS Sp ok
Hill, near Barnet. with "a much ease as we nav"
we do not think II will sihihit any dsaciency as
hll;climher. The qne'ttl"ns t or %",eht and
but in ihe case Of ths chnnles, gear we are as:
| sured that the machine complete will not cost
more than achai in-driven safety OF equal quality
that is furnished with a gear case. nor will it
| lew= more"