The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-05-14
THE BICYCLE SADDLE
IT Is THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR
OF HEALTHFUL CYCLING.

ment-Statistics That Rebound Greatly
TO the Credit of the Wheel.
A late tour of several large bicycle
establishments shows the immense ad-
vance that has been made in the pro-
duction Of the saddle, this sine qua non
of comfort awheel. In 1890 block Of
wood at the back, attached to a frame
of wire and covered with leather, was
thought to make good saddle. but aft
er little use the saddle began to re-
mind one of the ridgepole of house,
and tho rider often experienced such
discomfort as to make him buy a new
one, if it did not cause Him to quit rid
ing altogether.
In the evolution of the anatomically
correct and hygienically perfect saddle
Of today its relation to the human body
has been closely studied by the ablest
anatomical experts. and it is found that
the great desideratum is to make the
weight Of the body rest OH the points
of bone scientifically known as the tu-
berosities Of the ischium and the glu-
teal muscles, just as it does in the act
of sitting, while it must be SO construct
ed as to protect the perineal region from
irritation. It is found that these condi-
tions are best met by seat which,
while containing an element of rigid
ity, also has sufficient resiliency for
rebound.
In one style Of saddle, of which
in OF he no
rigidity is secured by peculiar weave
of rattan-the immemorial material of
chair bottoms-which never "sags,"
thus maintaining constant level. This
is the essential part Of the saddle, but
it is covered with felt and leather, hav-
ing V shaped opening in the middle,
cut after the direction of physicians who
have made study of it. The idea of
this weaving has been also carried out
in thongs Of leather.
Another type of saddle has firm
base of metal. On this base two pads
are firmly fixed, with permanent
groove between. 1t has two coil springs
underneath and short horn. This full
fills all the conditions needful save pos
sibly one-some dealers will assure you
that there must be continuity at the
back and fortify the statement with
what seem forcible hygienic reasons.
Some most ingenious two pad saddles
are shown, in which the turning of
screw broadens the distance between the
pads la opera glass. Then step fur
ther in the anatomical line is made by
the use of modelling clay, in which
composite impression Of a number of
persons of similar size and proportions
is made the basis of the form of the sad
die, with all parts cut out or depressed
that could cause injurious pressure.
This is covered with felt and leather
and would seem to be anatomical" to
the last degree. No two persons can
wear with equal comfort the same glove
or shoe, and why should not the indi-
vidual be fitted with saddle? 1t would
seem that the limit of improvement had
about been reached, but we find pneu-
matte saddle praised and condemned
like all the rest by rival dealers. The
quickest way in which to learn the
points liable to failure is to read the ad-
vertisements of rival dealers. One says
''no rash," another "no heating" an
other "no numbness of the knees or feet
after the longest runs" etc., and one
there is no DOCTORS bill in ours"
To sum up, while saddle should be
rigid, it should have resiliency enough
to 60 over small roughnesses in the road
with no ''rocky" feeling left as ali aft
ermath, and it should be adjusted with
more painstaking than is generally be-
slowed on it. People do not pay enough
attention to the hygienic significance of
the word comfort. What were the
sensations of discomfort given us for
save to tell us when things are going
wrong? A saddle should neither tilt too
far back nor too far forward. The reach
to the pedal should be exactly right.
Then the rider is ready to enjoy to the
fullest extent what may be called the
greatest physical modification in the
conditions Of modern life, and it is
pleasant to learn that makers are cater
ing more to tho needs of the average
public. Heretofore the racer has domi-
mated the situation-weight must be
lessened to the last degree. Now people
are using heavier wheels, say 20 pounds
in place Of 18 pounds.
When perfectly equipped, the rider is
still amenable to the rules of that wise
Judgment we call common sense. He
doesn't want to start out with the ra-
pitiity Of racer; that interesting crea-
ture, when riding for large sums. be-
gins very moderately, nor does he want
to exhaust all his vital force on one
ride. Doing this has led some doctors
to impeach the desirability Of the wheel;
but, given good wheel, hygienic
saddle carefully adjusted and fairly
level road, and even delicate persons
can derive great benefit from its use.
The most striking testimony to its
bygienic value comes from DR.. Abbott,
lecretary of the Massachusetts board Of
health. He finds that in the year 1896
fewer women than men died in the
state from consumption, the first time
such thing has occurred. He attrib-
utes il to the use of the wheel, the only
n. A =. -