Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-03
w H E E i T A L K

AS has been expected by many riders the
cut in the price of bicycles has begun
While it is true that all OF The bicycles
have not come down ii price IL is predicted
by many that ii will only be a question Of
time when the high-grade wheels viii be
sold at d uniform price. The cutting of
the price of two Of the well-knowu makes
of wheels came suddenly. It appears as
though the cut has been made almost too
late in the season TO be of much good this
year to the manufacturers. 1t also seems
| unjust to those who purchased wheels in
the early part of the season, paying the
full price. After only several months of
use the wheels have deprecated twenty
five per cent. There would have been less
cause to complain had the cut been made
al the end of the present season or some
time during The winter opening of the
next season.
Judging from circumstances perhaps the
best move ever made was by one concern,
which cut the price of wheels down 10 $50
at the beginning of the season. This con-
Germ sold a much larger number of wheels
than would have ordinarily been the case,
and 1t is this fact more than anything
else. that caused the other concerns to
lower in price.
There have been any number of cheap
grades of wheels paced on the markst
this season. These wheels found ready
purchasers In people who thought ii Was
economy 10 buy a cheap wheel.
If one would attend a sale Of auction
wheels. he would see hundreds CT bicycles
sold every day at prices ranging from $50
to siu or 800. the hntsh catching The eye
of the buyers. The leading manufacturers
claim that they have been duped by
persons who bought large number OF
wheels, saying that they were TO be ex-
ported. but which were shipped 10 all
parts of the country and aUctioned 10 the
highest bidders. 1t was case OF quick
sales and small profits. and much money
Was made.
All of the leading manufacturers expect
ed that this season would be a banner
year In bicycle sales, and the factories were
kept busy DAY and night. The Sales were
not as great as were expected, and the fac
tories have large stock on hand which
1t Is found difficult TO sell. The supply Of
bicycles in stock represents only capital
tied up, and the only way of realizing was
to cut prices. Whether this will accomplish
the desired result remains to be seen. In
the meantime many works have been
closed.
In order to quickly sell their product
some manufacturers will not only sell lob
lots OF bicycles at reduced prices but will
also furnish any name plate desired by the
prospective purchaser. who win manage TO
make a good profit. and yet undersell the
other makes of wheels by a very good
sum. There is likely to be some defect In
the best make of wheels, accidentally pass
ed at the factory. and which the purchaser
finds out only by use. The guarantee COW
ers the defect, and all experienced wheel
men in buying a wheel look for this safe
guard. II wheel Is sold at low price.
yet with the guarantee Of a respectable
concern behind 1t, 1t is no wonder that the
public will take to 1t. Yet a majority of
bicycle agents do not care to give any
further guarantee on a wheel than thai
gwen by the factory. leaving a good field
for outside houses to step in and cover. II
Is pleasing to note that in one instance This
Is done in this city.
The reduction in the price of wheels
brings forth the inquiry as to the cost of a
wheel as turned out complete from the
factory. This Is q hard matter to decide
and the cost, II calculated, is nothing more