Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-06-13

numerous. 1t was held, In the first
place, to be more cumbersome and,
therefore. more OF a tax Oh the riders
than resulted from the use of single
wheels. How greatly those who made
that statement erred experience has
shown. Instead OF being a tax, the tan
dem is an aid. Instead Of being a drain
upon the riders vitality, it adds TO that
very necessary stimulus to life. The
original tandem was a far heavier affair
than that which is at present in use.
At first the manufacturers did not re-
alize the fact that TO make machine
for two 1t was not necessary 10 have II
as heavy as two machines would be.
Each year has, however, added to the
knowledge of those VINO create wheels,
until now, all that is not absolutely
necessary has been eliminated from the
construction of a tandem.
The result has been that no wheel has
made so great an advance toward per-
lection as the tandem. This may seem
bold statement, but it Is entirely borne
out by the facts. SO strenuous has been
the effort year by year 10 tighten the
tandem. to bring it down TO a point
where it was as little as possible greater
in weight than the single wheel, that
greater genius has been displayed in its
planning. The tandem of to-day, ac
cording to experts and ordinary wheel
men, IS the modern wheel par excel
lence, for il enables two riders TO 30 at
least two miles an hour faster than
either could on single wheels, at so re-
duced an expenditure Of effort as 10 be
little short OF the marvellous
Odd as it may seem. the fact is be-
coming yearly impressed upon all riders
that there is as great a difference between
wheels, even of the same make, as there
is between horses. To say that one
wheel will do for a family is far from
the truth, ii 1t is borne in mind that
no one should ride a wheel TO which he
is not adapted. Ii IS very old say
ing, which we all know the truth Of, that
10 two persons are exactly alike, even
though the resemblance may be so strlk-
ing as to make 1t difficult at first 10 dis
,inguish one from the other. The same
remark applies 10 wheels. Try as hard
as the makers may TO make the resem-
blance absolute in detail. there is al
ways a difference. and, what IS more,
it is a difference that affects the rider
These statements apply TO the single
wheel in far greater degree than to
the tandem. Therefore, 1t is no exagge-
ration TO say that the tandem comes
nearer being the universal wheel than
any which is now turned out from the
factory. To state ali the reasons for
this would be 10 give expression u a
mass of detail that is perpleXing in its
immensely. 1t is one OF those things
that only experience can teach one, but
the lesson which experience does make
plain is one that is not likely 10 be for
gotten.
There are times, OF course when a
-, 4. A..
the majority OF instances it is pleasanter
for two to go awheel than for one. The
tandem in It's present degree OF perfec-
ton makes these dual excursions easy
and pleasant. There is an absence OF
fatigue well as OF perspiration. which
is agreeable In the extreme. When one
reaches the end Of his journey on a
tandem he does not find the bath-tub such
an immediate necessity as on a single
wheel. 1t is an accepted fact that the
more pleasure one gets out of life without
discomfort. the better he is off. That
| is why the tandem appeals to every
body.
| 1t is not necessary to recommend any
| particular make OF tandem. Manufac-
| turers have bent every effort toward
| perfecting it to such an extent that the
| difference is immaterial. OF course the
statesmen tell you there is a great differ
ence, but looking at the facts and dis
regarding all persuasion, 1t is plain
enough that the difference is not sufii-
| Client TO warrant consideration. Per-
haps the majority prefer what is called
| the long double diamond. but this can
be truthfully recommended only for men.
| The most OF the tandems have what
Is known as a drop frame for the front
rider. and this can DO utilized for man
| and a woman very nicely. There Is an
| other style that Is so compact In it's frame
that II Is but tribe longer than the
single wheel. IL Is an oid-lcoking ar
| fair. and tho rear rider sits over the
rear wheel instead OF In front OF II.