New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-01-03
IN THE CYCLING WORLD.
WHAT THE SPORT OWES TO THE pNEU.
MATIC TIRE.
CORRUGATED ONES AT ADVANCED PRICE,
SLOPPY WEATHER R1prNG-NorEs OF THE
COMING SHOW IN THE GRAND

SLOPPY WEATHER R1D1NG-NOTES OF THE
COMING SHOW IN THE GRAND
CENTRAL PALACE.
If the question were asked in a company of
wheelmen Of average intelligence. What is the
most important part Of a bicycle?" there would
unquestonably be a variety Of opinions ex-
pressed Some would probably say the tubing
and the method of constructing the frame;
Others the bearings; others. perhaps, the chain
and sprockets. Those would come closest to the
truth who should pick out the pneumatic tire
as the thing Of chief Importance. 1t requires
very little thought on the subject to lead one
to the conclusion that 1t is this feature which
has been more instrumental than any other one
thing in giving to the bicycle the tremendous
popularity which 1t enjoys. The finest tubing and
the most perfect frames might have been put
together. bearings might have been devised
to reduce friction to the lowest point, and the
action of the chain made as good as possible,
but without the pneumatic tire it Is safe to say
that the bicycle would not have more than
1.-THE Of the vogue which 1t has obtained.
OF course, as is always the case, several i'm
provements have gone hand In hand. 1t is en-
tirey apparent that the old-style high wheel
would never have been universally ridden even
II fitted on. with tires of the type now gen.
orally used, and hence the multiplying gear
must come in for a large share of credit Still,
the safety antedated by several years the in
vention of the pneumatic tire. and It's popularity
was distinctly limited The word Invention"
in that last sentence must be accepted with
grain or two of qualification. Perfection"
would come closer to the truth save that it Is
yet a doubtful matter whether the perfect pneu-
matte tire has yet been invented. The fact is
tina. a pneumatic tire Of rubber was made at
holt HIT
suits flowed from it. The tire. as 1t Is known
nowadays. is virtually new invention When
these tires first applied to bicycles they at
tracted much attention and presented as
queer an appearance does the rider OK one
Of the old Ordinary" wheels at the present
day. and there was a widespread belief that II
strain TO which they would be subjected. But
with the introduction Of such tires the popu-
larity Of the bicycle began. and it has gone on
increasing In a geometrical ratio.
The present year will see some changes in the
appearance of tires. but there will be no marked
points Of difference from those that riders have
been familiar with for several years. Embossed
or corrugated tires are likely to have more Of a
vogue than hitherto. One concern which Is
putting them on the market now for the first
time charges 81 more pair for embossed tires
than for smooth ones. such as 1t has been SELL
ing heretofore. When asked wherein the new
tires were an improvement on the old. the an
swer returned was: "They will not slip as easi-
ly Everybody knows when he puts on ncw
pair of rubber overshoes that he is not likely to
slip as with pair the soles Of which have been
worn smooth 1t is just the same with tires.
Our tires have been tested for several months.
In fact we have been working on the embossed
tire ever since last spring. and We know that we
have a good thing. Experiments show that
these tires can be ridden from 1000 to $500
miles over ordinary roads before they worn
smooth. At the same time are prepared to
furnish smooth tires to those who want them"
1t Is a significant circumstance that this con-
Germ has given up the manufacture OF its
double-tube tire. which has enjoyed certain
measure Of popularity. The agent said that
there was no demand now for tires OF that kind
and he believed that only make of double
tube tire would be found on the market to any
extent this year. In saying this. he did not in
clude the so-caled detachable tires which are
regarded by some riders to be the best to be
found
In connection with this matter. It may be noted
that at another establishment the writer saw
new tire which was declared to be puncture-
proof. The man showing 1t took the point of a
sharp knife blade and pressed 1t with consider
able force against small section Of the tire. but
made no impression on 1t that could be dis
cerned. He explained the failure of the knife
to penetrate the rubber by saying that bet ween
the inner and outer rubber folds Of the tire there
were three thicknesses OF fabric" one OF which
had undergone chemical treatment, which ha rd-
ened IL. while at the same time the resIIiencv or
the tire was not fnterfered with. This tire he
said. could be confidently recommended for zen n
erai road use.
There have been some reports in circulation
concerning an alleged shortage In the rubber
crop. which might have a tendency to inter.
fere with the sport Of wheeling by raising the
price Of tires and perhaps prevent the manu-
faoturers from meeting the demand. Inquiries
At the offices OF two or three companies that
deal largely In rubber showed that no fear,