New-York tribune., 1896-12-27
IN THE CYCLING WORLD.
LITTLE INQUIRY FOR GEAR CASES ON
NEW WHEELS.


PREPARATIONS TO MEET THE DEMAND FOR TAN
DEMs-oNE OF THEM BUILT WITH
TWO DROP FRAMES.
There is demand on the part of a considera-
ble number of riders for gear cases, and some
of the manufacturers have made up their minds
to meet it. if possible. Hitherto any sugses-
tion of the kind has been received with little
favor in this country In England. on the other
hand gear cases are in general use. and the
same is true of mud guards. which are seldom
seen this side of the water The prihcipa'
reason for this difference is doubtless 10 pe
looked for in the differing climatic oonditlohs'
In England it rains on the slightest proVoca-
tion and long period of fine weather Is eN
ceedingiy rare. English riders accordingly haNe
to be prepared for rain and mud, ana equ,p
themselves with means of prnt'o.ioh aSaiil''
both-with rubber coats or cloakS III one caSc'
and mud guards and gear cases in the other;
Mud guards were furnished with American ,, Ip,u
wheels two or three years ago pretty generally
but one is rarely noticed on man plc!ra'
now Gear cases are even rarer but, hcNei.h.
less. an effort is now being made to meet "'a'
ever demand may exist
The bicycle people do not all look on the mat
ter in the same way however. This was
shown by the answers given TO inquiries maue
ON the same day last week at the New-for
Headquarters Of two of the principal concerns
in the bicycle business. Here they are NJ
Yes we are working on gear case 'hous"
| don't know anything about the detans !e"
We hope, though. to produce something INA.
will answer the purpose and meet the wants vi
those who think such an attachment to pl-
cycle good thing. There will have to be some
delicate work about it. because the tread Is so
narrow nowadays, and the crank runs so close
to the chain do not believe that the majority
of riders want gear cases. No. NO. nave
heard nothing about gear case being made ny
this COMPANY There is no demand for such an
attachment in this country. Ii would be a
difficult thing To make, anyway. Our machines
are made as narrow as possible IN every way
and TO tell the truth, there is no room FOR a
gear case on one of these wheels suppose tne
idea Of such a case IS to protect the @ @challl
from dust and mud, but ii would he almost
impossible to keep the chain from striking
against it, causing an unpleasant noise espe-
cially as there is a tendency to run chains
pretty close to the frames. | would not expect
gear cases to he used. if they were on the mar
ket by more than small percentage OF riders.
They are no more needed than mud guards;
and who would think Of using mud guard
nowadays?
There is something new in electric lamps, ana
a patent has been taken out on 1T. 1t Is sup
piled with electricity produced by generator
attached to the rear fork. with an armature
revolved by a band running from a grooved
wheel the rear hub The inventor contends
that when going at moderate speed light
Of normal. candle-power is produced. and, of
course the higher the speed the greater the
light The advantage Of this lamp over other
electric lamps IS that the weight OF the battery
is cot rid Of The weight of the apparatus loT
the new affair is not given but apparently IL
cannot he very great. Only a bulb would be
needed on the head Of the wheel. connected with
the generator by fine wire.
The principal item of cost in turning out
new model each year is that entirely new pat
terms are required. and 70 a considerable extent
new machinery The manufacturers have felt
this kccnlv and in one case at least a method
of utilizing the patterns + the previous year
has been hit upon. Bicycles of the pattern OF
the '9j wheels are to he put on the market Inc
coming year. and sold at SO. as against the
standard price Of 500 for the model of -.
They will le so it is said, new wheels and first
rate in every particular. save that they are not
up 10 date. This is one Of the ways in when
the demand for lower priced bicycles will be met.
"How much you going to allow on this
years wheels in exchange for new ones?" was
asked ny, a. Visitor at a bicycle establishment in
this citW ~ cannot tell YOU exactly" was the
reply Of the attendant addressed, but think
not more than so"
"That's not a great deal" went on the in
quircr my wheel. for example is just about
as good when | got it,"
"Well" said the bicvcle man that is some
thing can't fix for ourselves. The price Is fixed
for US by the market for second hands. When
we know what can get for them we shall be
in position to talk business with you. The
trouble is that many people in search Of low
priced bicycle prefer to buy new one because
ii looks fresh and fine not realizing that "A sec
ond- hand high grad would give them far better
service and much more satisfaction
An inquiry is made In THE l.. a. w Bulletin"
for description of a skirt that will permit the
wearer to ride diamond frame wheel Perhaps
a combination Of skirt and trousers, which has
recently been patented will meet the wants OF
the fair inquirer. The account given OF this
nondescript garment says that the rear portion
is so made that il may for part of the distance
from the Waistband down be readily opened.
and when the opening is closed apron covers
the skirt opening. So as to give the appearance
Of an ordinary walking skirt. If this description
is not complete il is not the fault Of the present
writer He has not seen the garment and has
no desire TO see it,
Something was heard a number OF times early