The record-union., 1897-12-06
THE CYCLERS' COLUMN.
CANADA AND THE L. A. W.
CHAINLESS WHEELS.
The L. A. w. E1ection-New Brake
-Beve1 Gearing-Women and
the Wheel.

-Bevel Gearing-Women ana
the Wheel.
President George H. Orr Of the Cana
dian Wheelmen's Association arrived IN
New York November Both for the pur-
pose of holding a conference with
President Potter Of the l.. A. w. Pres
ident Orr denies that he favors Sun
day racing, but declares that the Ca
madam race meet promoters of the
West need the presence of the Ameri-
can riders of the Pacific Coast who
have been suspended by the league
for participating in Sunday racing un-
der the colors of the outlawed Califor-
mia Association of Cycling Clubs. Mr..
Orr believes that if the league cannot
see its way clear to reinstate the rae
ing men, the Canadian Association Will
feel obliged to recognize the c. A. c. c.
This, he contends, would not neces-
sarily strain the relations between the
league and the Canadian organization,
because in the International Cyclists
Association, to which both belong, there
are other organizations which permit
Sunday racing. President Potter will
endeavor to formulate with President
Orr some plan of dealing with the situ-
alton which will preserve the harmony
now existing between the American
and Canadian associations. 1t is pos
sible special league circuit can be
arranged which will help out the Ca
nadians in the matter of securing riders
from the States at their meets.
ChainlesS wheels are beginning to ap-
pear on the streets and boulevards
about New York. and the riders of
them wear proud and self-satisfied ex-
pressions. 1t is positive, however, that
there Will be quite a few chainless
cycles sold at less than $125.
A harmony conference" held few
days ago between Vice Consul T. j.
keenan, of Pennsylvania and President
Potter is considered significant in con-
nection with the approaching election
of the l.. A. w. 1t is not impossible
that the New York and Pennsylvania
delegates may be found working to-
gether in the National Assembly next
February. At present canvass OF
the States shows that President Pot
ter VIII have 1870 of the 800 votes.
Captain Matthew Gibb of the Cen
tury Wheelmen, who is the most prom
iment Dacemaker of century runs in
the East, is a gear-case enthusiast. He
says that in the recent big century,
ridden through rain and mud, eleven
chains We're broken, but that he fin
ished riding easily, as did several 9TH
ers who had inclosed chain wheels.
The mechanism of a new brake is
designed to be hidden within the tubes
of the machine, and there is nothing
external to bend or rust except the
spoon. The brake is applied by rotat-
ing the right handle. the motion be-
ing conveyed through the handle bar
by a flexible shaft made of several
universal joints. AT the end Of the
shaft Is pinion gearing with a rack
on the upper end of a rod passing
down through the front member of the
diamond frame and coming out be-
tween the front forks. On the end of
his rod is the spoon. This brake does
not require to be held on; once it is
applied there is sufficient friction in
the mechanism to keep it on without
further effort on the part of the rider.
A brush is used to save the tire from
injury.
Cyclists who use chamois leather for
cleaning and polishing their machines
may be glad to know how to wash the
leather when dirty. If it is washed
with soap and water and rinsed and
6r;o
almost useless. But if it is washed
with soap and water, and the soap
is not rinsed out it will dry as soft
and selviceable as when new
1t SCI ms to be the thing nowadays
for authors to write novels in which
the bicycle forms conspicuous feature.
Miss darkness, whose literary name Is
John Law" is now engaged upon a
novel dealing with cycling in Australia,
and her claim for writing such is based
on enthusiasm and comprehensive
knowledge of matters cycling.
Says 1.-The Cycle: '"The time is evil
IDENTIFY coming when no woman will be
able to obtain situation as companion
unless she is an adept cyclist The fol-
lowing advertisement recently appeared
in a daily paper: A woman of educa
ton required as companion. Must
have thorough knowledge of house
keeping and be able to cycle The lat
ter clause, it will be observed, is bind
ing, and fully shows to what a pitch
the cycling craze has attained in this
country. Cyclists of the old days may
well be astonished at the marvellous
advancement of the popular pastime.
In a few short years we may expect to
see '.yclng taking an important place
in colleges
A Western rider has invented a new
bevel gearing, which he claims can be
fitted to any kind of bicycle. The idea
is taken from a marine engine The
gear at the hub of the rear wheel is an
internal gear, a wheel with cogs on
it's inner rim which revolves against
three smaller cog wheels inside The
outer gear is connected by shafts run
ming along the outside of the rear forks
to the crank shaft. At this point are
the eccentrics. which operate on the
same plan as an ordinary marine en-
gine. found on tugboats and lake craft
generally. The gear can never get on
a dead center, because 1t is set on
quarter" The shafts themselves are
unprotected. and the gear does not need
protection. being made absolutely dust
proof by the manner of it's construc-
tion.