Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-05-12
DEMAND FOR BICYCLES
This Spring Exceeds That Of Any
Previous Season.
Many High Grade Wheels are
Being Sold, and One third of the
Wheels are tor Lady Riders.
What Some OF the Dealers Say
on the Snbject-The Racing Sea-
son Soon to Open.

If the 1898 demand for bicycles existed
few years ago, wheels would be away up
in price this season, but bicycle making
has become an extensive and important
industry in the United States, and there
is not the remotest possibility of de-
mand which cannot be met by the manu-
facturers. High Grade wheels are cheaper
this year than heretofore, and the num-
Der of riders and prospective riders IS
greater than ever before. Local dealers
have multiplied in number several times
in recent years, and yet all report a de-
mand for wheels thus far, which is large
ly in excess of last season. This fact was
ascertained by a Register reporter, who
called on a number of dealers yesterday.
There is also an unprecedented demand
for ladies wheels proving that cycling
is rapidly gaining in favor with the fair
sex. Dealers generally agreed that fully
one-third of the inquiries made this sea-
son, as well as the sales recorded, were
upon ladies' wheels.
Mr. &. n Hancher, of the firm of Dill
lon Wheat & Hancher Company, has just
returned from Toledo, where he spent
three days inspecting the Cleveland
wheel He saw the process of manufac-
ture, from the materials in the rough to
the finished product, and was exceedingly
pleased. 1T is model factory" he said,
and gives one an excellent insight into
the art of bicycle construction. Yes, our
trade in wheels has this year been more
than satisfactory. Last year we had not
disposed of a wheel prior to May LIST.
This season we sold no less than GA. AL
half nf this
have been ladies' Wheels
Said House & Hermann: 'Our bicycle
department is one of our busiest. and our
sales have been satisfactory in every re-
spect Thus far they have been away
ahead of the same period last year; and
we are selling a great many ladies
wheels. The demand started early in the
season, and we could not get our leading
wheel fast enough to supply the trade.
Persons of moderate means are glad to
embrace the opportunity to secure a BIZ
cycle on easy payments, and we find that
our guarantee to keep bicycles in repair
for one year is a strong inducement to
those contemplating the purchase of
wheels"
Jason c. Stamp reported a healthy and
substantial increase in the demand for
WAtClS. w men llc OVeIIldn company
put the price of the Victor down to $40 it
sounded the death knell of high prices for
Wheels, he said" as it is generally con-
coded that the the material and work.
manship in the Victor is of the very
best. Wheels are lower, and all the old
riders insist upon high grade bicycles.
The cheaper mounts are bought only by
beginners We are selling many more
ladies wheels than during last season."
Geo. w. Johnsons Sons-"There are
more riders this year than last and
wheels are lower in price. The natural
result is an increased demand. The mild
weather started people to making inquir-
les a little earlier in the season than
usual"
Shelf Bros.-"We are having a very live
ly demand for Columbus, and our sales
have been more than doubled during the
months of This year, compared with last
We have sold a number Of chainless
wheels, and when their points of super
iority over the old style bicycle are UNDER
stood, we anticipate a better demand"
H. 2. Hilman & Co.-''Our bicycle trade
has been very satisfactory in every re-
spect. The price of wheels places them
within the reach of persons of even mod
crate means, and there can be no ques-
ton that cycling is constantly growing
in popularity, and among both sexes"
The indications for the bicycle racing
season are very bright. Dillon, Wheat &
Hancher Company will probably conduct
another meet this summer, and Jason c.
Stamp is contemplating a move in the
same direction. There will be race meets
at several neighboring towns during the
month of June, and cycle racing will be
a feature of the picnics to be given dur
ing the summer The Fair Grounds track
is in excellent shape, and there were no
less than fifteen of the crack" riders
practicing upon it yesterday.