The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-08-21
SOME FACTS ABOUT
THE BICYCLE GEAR
Many Predict a Radical Change from The
Wheel Of Today.
PERFECTION HAS NOT BEEN REACHED
Style of Frame to stand the
Test ofseverai Years but There viii
he Constant Change In the Line OF
DetaiI-- Mechanics Studying How
10 Do Away with the Troublesome

BY many it is predicted that the bicy-
Gle of the future will be a radical de-
parture from the wheel of today. AS
near perfect as the wheel of today may
be, it is not so perfect that improve
ments cannot be made in 1t. This has
been the invariable rule of mechanics,
and the bicycle can hardly prove an
exception. Stimulated by the demand
of the public for something better, the
manufacturers will endeavor to put an
article on the market to meet the popu-
lar taste. AS it seems at present, there
is no need for any improvement, yet
there are many who are demanding
something unique and novel in the line
of bicycle construction, and the manu-
facturers find it lucrative investment
to crafty the whims of this class.
The diamond frame has been recog-
nized as the strongest combination that
could be made for bicycle construction.
1t has stood the test well, but now the
demand is for something different. Ac-
cordingly the triangle or pyramid
frame wheel has made it's appearance.
1t may be several years ahead of it's
day, as popular fancy has not taken to
that style of construction as yet. This
is only enc of the most prominent de-
partures from the present style of BIZ
cycle frames. There are innumerable
designs on the market, but they are
either lacking in some qualities, or else
do not equal the present style in weight,
and are therefore Objectionable to rid
ers. No cyclist is going back to a
thirty-pound wheel after having pushed
q twenty-pound or twenty-five pound
wheel for 81 veral years. 1t would be a
foolish move, indeed.
RECENT CHANGES.
Within the past three or four years
there have been no improvements in
the general design of the bicycle. The
improvements that have been made
are mostly in the line of detail, though
in this direetio some wonderful strides
have been made. The number of chang
es in this direction are too many to
mention here. The weight Of the wheel
has been reduced to point undreamed
of four or five years ago, until today
the factor of safety is the smallest
known in mechanical construction. The
tires have been wonderfully improved
upon, and the matter Of repair brought
into the hands of all riders.
The tread has been brought down to
a scientific basis. The bearings have
Geen made as near perfect as is possi-
bic, though it is admitted by all bicycle
experts there is plenty of room for M
provement yet. The bearings have also
been made as near dust IICCf as possi-
BILE, while arrangements for the chain
! adjustment have been patented by a
number of people The cranks and
| sprockets have been brought down to
a scientific basis also, and innumerable
| other smaller details have been looked
| after, all tending to produce the bicycle
of today. If one make of wheel had all
| the Improvements on it we would have
a model bicycle, but as it is the i'm
| provements are scattered over a num-
Der of different makes and as result
no particular wheel is perfect.
The latest trend for improvement is
in the matter of the chain. The idea in
view is to abolish the chain. Two
years or perhaps three years ago a
chainlesS wheel made its appearance
on the market, but it did not meet with
popular approval. The chainless con-
sisted of two cog wheels, connected by
a rod, which took the place OF the
chain. 1t remained one season, but did
not give perfectly satisfactory results
| ana as a result mas not Deen seen III
this country for some time.
CHAINLESS BICYCLE.
The movement for a chainless bicy-
Gle is now stronger than ever, and many
predict that the chainless wheel will
be the bicycle of the future. This may
be true. 1t is understood that one OF
the largest bicycle manufacturing con-
Germs on the market is making arrange
ments to turn out chainless wheel fol
| next season. If such a wheel does
make its appearance the chances are
that the price of bicycles will revert tc
nearly their original price, and the gen
eral public pay for the novelty in con-
struction. The first year or so Of the
chainless bicycle, if it does appear, vii
be more in the nature OF an experiment
than anything else, and the purchaser
is the one to furnish the experience.
OF the proposed new gears, one Is
propulsion by means of cog arrange
ment, and the other by friction. The
latter Is the invention Of St. Loui:
bartender 1t would seem in the fric
tion chainIess that the wear and teal
on the tire would be great, and tina
the pushing of the bicycle would bt
much harder than with the chain
though it is claimed that the revolu
tions of the rear wheel are increased
with less pedaling. The cog chainles'
would require guard on the real