The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-07-03
THAT BIG CUT In
BICYCLE PRICES
Opinions Current 10 the Trade About the
Pope compauy's Action.
1T MEANS CHEAPER WHEELS
Most of the Manufa cturers of High
Grade Wheels Say They will stick
to Their Uniform Price of 500 for
the Remainder of This Year, But
Their will BE n Readjustment for
the Business ofIS0s.

The announcement of the reduction
in the price of the Columbia bicycle to
SIS has been the one important topic
discussed in the bicycle trade circles
as well as among the numerous cy-
cling enthusiasts for several days.
There had been rumors of this cut in
price for some time, but most of the
dealers and agents believed that 1t
would not be made until January ],
1898. The Pope Manufacturing COM
parry was the pioneer in the bicycle
manufacturing business in this coun-
try and is looked upon by many of the
other bicycle makers as the leaders In
all things concerning wheels, and in
many lines its lead is followed. This
company was the first large firm to
announce a reduction in price to 800
from the figures at which standard bi-
cycles had been sold, and enough of the
other makers followed suit to make a
general adoption of the 800 rate neces-
sary.
From the beginning Of the present
season there had been a general doubt
as to whether the 800 list would be
maintained, and the action of the Pope
company in not reducing the price of
its wheels greatly aided in keeping the
price up to that figure. Competition
has been very keen, however, and as a
result there has been a more or less
general cutting of prices, and there
weH but few of the 500 wheels that
could not be had at a discount for cash
since the first Of the year.
REASONS FOR THE REDUCTION.
T,,. tIat III &c q
price of Columbias is a matter that is
open to discussion. The Pope manu-
featuring company has made no an
nouncement other than that of the pro-
posed reduction, and. as it's local rep
resentatives have had no explanation
from HEADQUARTERS, the reason is only
surmised. One of the principal alleged
reasons for the cut is said to be the
fact that the Pope company is about
to bring out a chainless wheel, in
which the principal efforts of the firm
will be concentrated. This sort of
wheel has been experimental with by
other concerns without great success.
The Pope company is believed, how
ever, to have brought it almost to
perfection. Patents on the principal
forms of chainless wheels have been
purchased, improved machinery for
making all parts of the wheel have been
put in at an enormous expense, and it
is common talk in the trade that in
order to make room for the output of
this improved plant the price has been
reduced on the chain wheel.
Another reason assigned for the cut
is that the Pope company, seeing the
great sale of low-priced wheels through
auction rooms, department stores, ETC.,
has realized that there is an enormous
demand for q loWer-priced wheel, and
determined TO be in advance of it's
competitors in meeting this demand.
RATES NOT MAINTAINED.
The present action of the Pope COM
pany may also be due somewhat to the
fact that while 500 had been agreed
on as the price of wheels for this year,
few of the big makers had stuck to this
price. There was demand for lower
prices staring them In the face, and
this was met in various ways. Many
manufacturers brought out cheaper
wheels under other names, some used
parts of last seasons wheels in max
ing up their stock, and others again
sold their own wheels under other
NAMES, OF, as IL sometimes happened,
without any name at all.
The Pope company itself brought out
and sold a wheel at a lower price than
the Columbia, and in the past year or
two have done very heavy business
in selling them. Several other firms
making these medium priced wheels
| have grown wealthy from the sale Of
their product, and their wares are al
most as heavily advertised and as well
known as the 500 wheels.
Just what effect the reduction in price
of the Columbias will have on the trade
| is hard to say, but well-posted men in
| the business claim that while a num-
Der of manufacturers will make an ef-
| fort to maintain prices for the balance
| of this season, many of them will
| shortly follow the lead of the Pope
| company, and at once reduce the price
OF their wheels to $75, and that almost
all Of them will come to that figure for
! 1898.
1t will take some little time for the
| different manufacturers to study out
| the new phases of the business and de-
! termine their future course, but the