New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-02-15
CYCLE SHOW DEVICES.
AN EXPERTS OPINION OF THE NOVEL
TIES ON EXHIBITION.
FEW RADICAL DEPARTURES IN CONSTRUCTION
ATTENTION PAID TO MINOR DETAILS ON THE

rvxv p .n,cA1, DEPARTURES IN CONSTRUCTION
.rrrNr,ox PAID TO MINOR DETAILS ON THE
wuEEIs-rHE QUESTION OF BEARiN'S
B,cvcl. building has reached that stage "ne's
.,v,es ara likely 10 remain about the same anu
80 .riv "a he expected in minor details.
~ mi. reason the Cycle Show just passed snoweu
60, raAeal departures In construction anu iieaN
x,ere in the minority AL the larger ma"u,a N, ,.,,,
have made changes in their 81 mooeis VIZ"
further increase their worth ana warrant ''' 49,
asked for them. But apparently the eheis' " ~
,n.eh.n,c., genius has been concentrated OH INC
,u ,h,ng. hitherto considered unworthy OF serious
,hought This devotion to detail indicates ''". r
trend Of the maker Is toward perfect p'cseo y. O."
respects and goes TO prove that the pres'" ~ -,
diamond and drop frame pattern machines WIN lit
sway with the great maJorH! oi "'e
for many years to come. o,
~. .rh,b,,,on however there were many novel;
,,.. rd som. decided innovations which deserve es
pecial attention. Before examining IN DEAN an! ~
~ r,od.,. shovn II should be remarked that all
visitors were impressed With the superia''e ','"s'
which prevailed most whees. Great pains ia"
b.en taken this year 70 attain pretty enec's' anu
many OF the manufacturers have succeeoeu III 'e a."
,.mn, 7, IL now the vogue among the higher grace
Of makers TO polish highly the frame beiore nicKei
ing or enameng. This gives an iridesceht appear
ance TO the frame that far surpasses the ORDINARY
finish Enamels OF every shade Imaginable are useo:
are harmonious. but others are exceedlhsiE sai'sh
and harsh TO the eye All classes are catered TO IN
,h,s respect as admirers Of the lively shades. rs
well as OF the more dgn!hed and sombre colors, are
found.
Frame lines were generally alike. but one or TWO
shown departed from the regulation oiaihoiu anu
drop frame One frame on exhibition was true
,,rclo substituted for the diamond with rear stays
ho,on, bracket and steering head connected with II
by forged Joints. Remotely resembling the struc-
tural appearance of this WAS another machine win
lines not entirely dssimiar to those OF swan Inc
frame was constructed of two continuous pieces or
ID" shaped tubing brazed together and spreading
10 permit the insertion Of the rear wheel between
them All Joints are dispensed with by this frame.
ard its makers say it absorbs vibration enectiVei!.
Several of the exhibitors displayed machines ntted
with cushioned forks for the purpose or decreas
ing the vibra ton. The device is on the upper rear
forks between the wheel and the saddle. II consists
OF telescope tubing with spiral sprin- inside, and
two air pockets which combine 10 take up all Joits
before reaching the rider. The lower rear forks
hinge 10 the crank bracket and move with the spring
preventing any undue strain being impaired TO the
frame proper
ABOUT CHAINLESS WHEELS
Despite the preliminary gossip about chainless BIZ
CYCLES only about dozen machines shown did not
have the chain and sprocket method OF propulsion.
They were all on the bevel gear style with one ex-
running beneath the stay between the hub and
crank axle Seven cogs working on stationary axles
and meshing With another were attached 10 the
side Of the case. finely toothed sprocket engaged
the FIRST cog and started the series revolving. the
last wheel impartng motion to finely toothed rear
sprocke; with which it meshed. This gearing can
be attached TO any regulation machine. One bevel-
geared wheel had sets Of gears one pair attached
TO the craEk-hanger and the other to the rear
bracket. The connecting shaft by which power was
transmitted worked ball and socket joint. and
no tier at what angle it with the gear II
always in order. The shaft passed through the rear
tube which is detachable for cleaning and adjusting
purposes.
In the chain and sprocket line there were several
new things exhibited which, while not revolutionary
in character. differ 10 considerable extent from
the ordinary sprocket and chain. An English chain
which has been the cause of considerable discus
sion pro and con in the last year was exhibited at
the show for the first time In this country. The
blocks OF the chain triangular in shape, with
small projections at the apex of each triangle. 1t
runs on the sprockes with raised side depressons
in which the small projections At. greater amount
OF power applied for the leverage Is the advan-
tage claimed for this chain. Another chain shown