The record-union., 1898-11-26
OF INTEREST TO CYCLISTS.
THE WHEEL TRADE IN GER
MANY-THE 1899 WHEELS.
Bicycles I'm Many Lands-A Few
Hints-Spoke Wire-Whee1ing
in the Orient

American Consul J. c. Monaghan re-
ports to the State Department con-
cerning bicycles in Germany that there
Is danger of increased duties being
levied on bicycles and parts of bicy-
cles sent to the empire. A crisis is
looked for in Germany's bicycle busi-
ness. Failures have occurred and are
to be followed by others. This says
q writer who wants to see increased
duties, lis the result of the enormous
increase in the imports of bicycles and
bicycle parts from the United States.
He speaks Of the cheap and bad
wheels brought over and the indiffer-
ence OF American manufacturers to
the quality Of their wares, although it
Is known that American wheels and
parts are the best in the world. The
meaning of these articles is that bicy-
cles will be put under the class OF
vehicles in the German tariff and
made to pay, without doubt, from $40
to $15 each. The German bicycle
makers have heretofore pointed out the
danger from American competition
and begged for increased duties as the
only safe way to keep out American
machines. Every one admitted the
need, but nothing was then done. Now
the danger has gone over into actual
damage. Manufacturers are gather
Ing statistics to show how many peo-
pie have been thrown out of employ
ment by the importation of American
wheels. It is useless to disguise or to
try to disguise what is everywhere too
apparent, namely, that this country
IS commercially hostile to our own.
Whether the product be apples, meats,
wheels, or anything else, if it inter-
feres with the products of the En-
pire, ways and means will be found
to keep it out.
Inasmuch as manufacturers here
flood the United States with their
wares before every new tariff bill
which increases duties goes into effect,
1t would be wise for our bicycle manu-
facturers to load up their German
storehouses with wheels and parts, in
anticipation OF tariff legislation that
seems now inevitable.
Western Sports: Many of the Cali
fornia houses have already received
1899 models, and preparations for the
new season are being actively COM
menced. From present indications, the
bicycle business of 1899 promises to be
all that could possibly be desired, espe-
ciaIly so far as the Pacific Coast is
concerned Despite the unusually dis
astrous year that is just closing, where
drouth has caused the loss of thou
sands of dollars to the farmers
throughout California, this has been
the best season, by far, that any Of the
local dealers have yet experienced.
With the early rains that are now
promised, abundant crops are assured
for the coming year, and with the
country once more in a. flourishing con-
dition the trade for 80 should fairly
double that of 1898 The chief feature
of the new models is the 30-inch
wheel that will be used. For several
years there has been a growing ten
dency toward the 30-inch wheel, espe-
cially among road riders, with the re-
suit that 1899 will see the big wheel
almost as generally used as the %
inch wheel. All makers using the 30
inch wheel will make it optional with
the purchaser as regards the diameter
of the wheels desired During the past
season Eastern racing men. especially
those in the middle distance game,
have been using 26-inch wheels in
front and 2S-inch wheels in the rear.
the claim being made that it is easier
sort than any other. Tires will re-
main about the same, although the
single tube promises to be more gen.
orally used than ever before Other
changes are slight, except where So
inch wheels are used, in which case the
head is shortened materially and the
crank hanger dropped more. Brakes
and lamps promise to come into more
general use on the coast than hereto
fore, which will make the sundry trade
flourish. In the line of saddles and
handle-bars very little difference is
noticeable. The upward bar and the
many varieties of hygienic saddles will
be more popular, although the number
OF makes of hard saddles will be more
numerous next year than ever. Many
dealers expect wood handle-bars to re-
gain their former popularity, which
will be another item toward booming
the sundry trade
Rivierre the old French long distance
rider, says that he has ridden his last
race and intends definitely. to retire.
Before doing so, however, he will essay
Cordangs twenty-four hour worlds
record of GIG miles $40 yards, and that
within the next fortnight.