The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-18
THE 1897 BICYCLE.
While Apparently Unchanged. the
New Wheel Il a Much Finer
Creation.

In 1sa7. bicycles, while showing no mark
cd departure from its predecessors in mo-
chanicai principles aud general appear
aBce, marks great advancement In sim
pllcity OF construction. combined with
lightncss and strength. In fact, the
changes in these directions are more
marked than those during any one year
since the wheel has been generally adopted
as a vehicle.
The wheel like other inventions. began
complicated and cumbersome thing
Now the minimum OF weight with the
maximum of strength and speed Is appar-
entity very nearly approached
We notice. first IN the 1897 models. the
increased use of nickel steel of the per
cent, grade, which. weight for weight. has
about ten times the endurance or - per
cent. carbon steel This shows the poasi-
bllity OF the reduction IN weight. ana Is
evidenced hy an examination 81 the tub
ms Of the new wheels THIS tubing g.
lighter and larger while being on the sar0
side Of the breaking point.
Then We notice the saving in weight the
Increase OF strength and the addition Of
grace by the adoption Of the flush Joints.
This is a marked Improvement n the new
whecl.
Another very notable feature Of the new
wheels IL e reduction In the number OF
pieces This Is seen in every portion OF
the wheel and has thc result OF dispcns-
ing With many mats. bolts. screws and
clamps. II e. particularly noticeable IN
the cVauks and aXiea. Instead ~ nve
pfccos some of tho new wheels have only
two. That s.. the axle and cranks are IN
two pieces which. when pat IN place are
tpined iu the center. Resides the other
advantages referred TO- this allows OF a
more narrow tread. thus bringing the feet
~ the ridor ncareF together adding Ia the
muscular power ana contributing 60 grace.
Then there is new axle and cranKs or
emily enc pieces single forging to which
tie sprocket wheel "a fastened hy being
SLIPPED ever permanent leg. which bears
all the strain and leaves the holding
screws so simply keep the sprockct IN
position
There e. also = new adjustable chain.
into which links can - Inserted NJ viii
without tools ard without delay Thls
g. accomplished by the uao - slotted
iink. with the center oe the epenfnE suf-
G-iently enlarged 20 allow u % u s'irrti
OF er Da its holding riVets. BY this FORM
az Ink TIRE annoyance - delay Through
broken chains can be avoided,
There Il atss shown = rev chain al
sf~teaenf easily ard accurately Operated
nv means % 8 thun1hsCrew that adjusts
the chain evenly an both sides and allows
~ any desired tension.
Then there - u9fltra l3. ltft t'-'..t IVA
the prctectfon q ala bearings from ti5~'.
srtfs j. PARTICULARLY - b. seen IN the axes
where ara fanrr brass twne atted WITH f"'t
washers az SIS ends keeps IN the o'i ana
.xeluars the dust. Thss nat emily keeps
dow, the friction. out- Tor the same fea-
ar adds "a the ufc ~ the machine
MANY wheels also show an incrvase in
the ~fse ~ the halls, tire standard FIVE
stxt.enths ~ an inch. being Increased -
tsra,-eighths 90 an lach. These larger
halls wear better an3 cut less
There are also valuable fee,1rcs Ccn-
talaed IN the provision for o.,luE e'rsr-
trr ana Rushing the bearings without t5s-
t,,vbins tne adjustment. cr removing &ry
~ fne parts ~ she he2T1Es- screw
4, The spreckrt aauEe or crank aNie fvr-
sats che application 81 o} oirsetly ca tec
hsas the same result heinE e1a,iea ga
the opposite leesrsug ~ means ~ an ott
helc ln abe adjusting cone. -ae forms
% citing devices dsner su various makes.
fot Pa aN tne Improve ustnts Is ia thc a.
Fccfion * ease ana comfort sa s.lisus Wita-
cug tae Ht>~ as-stx 81 removing parts
IL wtl ho noticed IN fAe eeastractlea -
t. portions cf ste VI hars reEerFsd 90 tHat
there 81 an gaegease Ia tie ease 81 ASS ~
elSas he aasSss tasEr esAas feMsz Rlsssa