The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-14
PARIS pIcYcLE sTYLEs.
Several Novelties for the Coming Sea-
sOn-ROIler Chains i'm Favor.
ar in Chicago Record.

Paris Letter in Chicago Record
What are the new things in cycles for
France in 1898? Paris has Just had a cycle
show season-closed yesterday-and is
therefore supposed to know what she is TO
expect in the line of cycling fashion for the
coming year. A Paris cycle show IS much
like Chicago or New York cycle show,
except that the articles are called by differ
ent names, and there are many, many
freaks" and not few exhibits of things
that do not strike the visitor as being close
ly allied to cycle affairs. At Paris cycle
show the band of music is distinct fea-
ture. This was especially true of the cycle
show in the Rue de Berri, known as the
in the Paris newspapers ran largely TO
what the band played" giving plenty OF
space to a reproduction of the several num-
berS on the programme.
But what's new i'm Paris cycling? Is there
anything new in Paris cycling that is not an !,
impracticable innovation of some sort?
Trust the Frenchman to evolve something
new, but as to the practical utility of his
article evolved, that is another question.
One maker has a machine of the regular
lines but fitted with sprocket or ntteen
inches diameter He exposes to view the
photograph of one of the best-knoWn
French riders N ounted on a model of this
same machine, breaking a record behind
famous sextuplet team, but will he receive
a return for the money that the well-known
racing mar cost him?
But to come to the subject OF the essen
tial parts of the bicycle-the frame and the
chain. for instance Frames In French
manufacture have undergone no more
change than will be found in those OF Eng
fish or American manufacture, ChalnlesS
BICYCLES are not moving so rapidly into pub
lie ylse or exnerirrent or discussion as is the
case in America. There are four prominent
French makes of bevel-gear machines--the
Acatene the Royale, the Odeon and the
Omega-and none of them, although having
been on the market longer, can compare
with the American models.
There is decided movement in France IN
favor of roller chains. If the bevel-gear ma
chine does not Supersede the chain ma
chine the latter is likely TO know no other
p Ind If ohofp h1f roller
chain behaves better in wet and muddy
weather it's makers and many of its
riders say The riders report that the roller
chain is not so good as the ordinary chain
with block links for getting up speed quick
ly in sprint race on the track, but they
recommend the roller chain on occasions
when that item is not needed. One model
has its teeth on the links of the chain and
it's rollers in the sprockets.
Just at present there is a wave OF liking
for "tubeless' tires in France The tire
alluded to consists of a single-tube
mechanism, practically the same as the
outer covering of airy ore or the numerous
specimens of the clincher pattern, but with
an inside flap which rests above the line
where the two edges of the tire meet, and
acts as a sealer The tighter the air ten
sion the tighter the flap presses. In case of
repair one side of the tire is removed from
the rim and an ordinary patch of rubber or
canvas pasted on the inside.
American cycle firms were surprisingly
well represented at the show. Owing to the
limited space in both Palais Sports and the
Sale Wagram, where the cycle shows we're
held, such thing as display. on scale
comparable to that which has been seen in
Chicago and New York was impossible.
England's share in the cycle business of
France continues important, although Paris
manufacturers are striking hard at England
and America by means of that most power
full weapon-reduced prices. England ac-
cordingly resorts to the manufacture IN
France of certain ohl-established English
makes. The product is English bicycles
made in France The prices must neces-
sarily conform to the French example.
None of the American houses has yet
adopted this plan, and consequently the
French cyclist may be assured that when
he buys an American mark he is receiving
the American made article, and he pays a
little more for il, too.
The French makers-and that really
means the Paris makers-are setting a
merry pace" for the foreigners, for they at
least turn out good looking machine. and
their prices are low. One will be able to
buy at retail the best make in Paris next
spring for from $50 to SO, and can buy the
second grade. which is no more or less than
the first grade in cheaper dress, for $40 and
$50. Double-tube tires still have, the inside
track though the single-tube gentry are
making inroad by heroic means