New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-10
IN THE CYCLING WORLD.
FEW DIAMOND FRAMES FOR WOMEN
SOLD.

BRIDGE OVER CONEY ISLAND CREEK.
While cycling was possible fortnight ago.
only the most venturesome cared to go forth last
Sunday and those who did so in the fog and mud
returned thoroughly saturated from the effects
of both species of moisture The soft weather.
however, made an end of the snow. and the mud
rapidly dried UP with the change Of atmospheric
conditions on Tuesday night. so that by Wednes-
day everything was in good shape for wheeling.
Asphalt pavements were never better. and park
roads and other favorite highways were in
fairly good state though somewhat rough De-
spite the keenness Of the air at times. the last
four days have been delightful for cyclists and
thousands have made the most OF the unex-
pccted opportunity. Those who put away their
wheels for the winter a month ago now realize
what a mistake II was to suppose that wheel
ing would be ended by the first snowfall
year ago. it will be recalled there was excellent
riding until after New Years, and many records
greatly advanced by the opportunities Tor
getting out of doors afforded by the good weather
OF December: Christmas Day was fine for wheel
ing, and the same was true of New Years. albeit
the weather then was somewhat cold. TWO years
ago snow fell until the day after Christmas.
Not In many years has there been SO disagree
able a December as that of 1896, and the pres
ent January has already made a record In the
other direction.
There will be great disappointment II positive
action Is not taken by the Legislature looking
to the improvement Of the highways Of the State.
The effort made in that line a year ago was in
telligent but so slow are the people of the rural
districts" to appreciate the advantages of good
highways that the bill introduced was so great
ly altered and emasculated that little regret was
caused by it's failure to pass. Another attempt
to secure legislation will he made this winter,
and apparently with better prospects of success
hx,t t,p TO
there is no reason why the cities should wait
for State action before proceeding on their own
account New-York, for exemple. has abundant
opportunities close at hand. The roads in the
upper part of this town are in wretched condition
as rule. and riding over them is anything but
agreeable Why should not the Greater New
York be surrounded with pleasant and delightful
drives in all directions. Boston is? In that
city and its suburbs cyclists not under the
necessity of going constantly over the same road
set of roads. as is practically the case in New
York and Brooklyn. Some gain has been made
here in the last year or two. but there is plenty
Of room for further improvement. More asphalt
is steadily being supplied In the city proper;
more smooth ways are greatly needed as the
outer limits Of the metropolis are approached.
Two or three years ago a man connected with
n large bicycle establishment remarked IN con-
versation that he believed the time would soon
come-and the limit he set three or -four
years-when no bicycles would he built specially
for women. but all women riders would he using
diamond frame wheels. There Is no indication
that his prediction is coming true. On the con-
trary. there many signs That what is some
times termed rational costume" for women has
had its day and is on the decline in this country.
Observation during last year showed fever
"bloomtrs' worn by women than in the pre-
vious year. although the number OF women rid
greatly increased. and evidence in &c same
direction may be obtained by inquiries at the
headquarters of the principa! bicycle companies.
The question. rs there any demand for dia-
mOnd frames for women was asked at several
of these places yesterday. and brought forth
practically the same answer every time. Said
one OF those questioned NO there Is scarcely
any demand at ALL So far as | can judge. !
should say there is smaller demand this year
than there was last. and less then than in the
year before. our women haven't taken 10 trou-
sers divided skirts With frames made az they
now arc there is no reason why they should
The loop frame Is very stin and prac-
tically rigid the diamond; in fact. the
loop has a tendency to take up the vibra-
lions Besides. a woman riding such wheel is
able to get off much quicker in case Of an emer-
gency. Women not I'm the habit Of swing
ing their feet around men are and conse-
Guently when mounted on diamond frame they
cannot get off quickly and easily as a man
can. 7 should say that not one woman in nifty
of those who come In here looking for bicycles
even suggests a diamond frame as a possibility
At another store the answer returned to
question on the subject was as follows: There
is certainly no increase in the demand for dia-
mond frames for women. Heretofore we have
made a special wheel to meet whatever demand
existed, but we are no. going to do so any more
The special wheel twenty-one and a half
inches in height of frame. and was fitted with
twenty six inch wheels. Hereafter we shall of
fer our regular twentytwo-inch frame to any
woman who wants to ride diamond IL IL
surprising that women five feet and an inch or
two in height can take so high frame. but 1t is
a fact that they can. But few women are will
ing to adopt the mans wheel. end what Is vir-
tually the mans costume. too. There is no rea-
son for them to do so. now that drop frames are
so we'll made and are almost as light as dia-
monds AS far danger Is concerned, there Is
less danger to a woman on drop frame. IN
loss her skirt is needlessly long there Is almost
No possibility of its getting caught In the Whecl
OF sprockets, and certainly she can dismount
from such a wheel more easily than from dla-
mond frame She can also mount more easily.
os any man who has ever learned to mount
woman's wheel woman fashion knows. AS fai
ms the manufacturers are concerned, they would
he glad to see all women riding diamonds. for
then they would have to get out only one pattern
but their object Is TO meet the demands Of pur-
chasers and the number OF drop frames VIII De
larser this year than ever
At still another place the attendant was asked
II special wheel was made for the use Oh
women wishing to ride diamond frames NO.
,v.s the reply 1--WE never have made a special
wheel for that purpose. The demand has never
been large enough to justify 1t. Few women
want that sort Of wheel. anyway. For those
who do our road racer. with low frame, Is
fine right thing. The only tendency can see
- e ,hn direction OF women wearing the boomer
costume is in the of those VINO ride IAN
den,s some Of whom prefer to ride In the same
uu n, ,hat men do The great majority OF
women do not like that style however, ana the
hoom for the rational dress started two or three
wears ago, has undoubtedly spent us lorce.
The womans wheel of the future VIII he the
drop or loop frame at least in this country
The interest in tandem riding Is evidenced by
the fact that some bicycle concerns which nave
been in the business several years are now
making tandems for the first time. the most
1.a nrvahf N "a