Omaha daily bee., 1898-07-31
TIE NEW AND THE OLD.
Some Observations on Present aud
Future Makes of Wheels.

Future Makes of Wheels.
1t is rather early in the season to talk of
next years styles of bicycle, but the subject
appears to be welcomed as a midsummer
diversion. On the subject of coming changes
the New York Sun has this to say:
Bicycle manufacturers have already be-
gun to discuss the construction Of wheels
for 1899, and some of their propositions have
come to the ears of riders. 1t is reported
that a few makers have arranged to turn
out thirty-inch wheels next year, and that
the price of those machines will probably
be somewhat more than is charged for this
years models with wheels Of less diameter.
Notifications are also promised in bearings,
adjustments, sprockets, cranks and enamel;
and the '99 models are likely to be prettier
than those of '9S. But one thing about the
wheels of 1897 and 1898 which has caused
much dissatisfaction among a great many
bicyclists, women particularly, seems likely
to be as Objectionable in the coming wheels
as in those of the past. 1t is alleged that
the new wheels will be heavier, if anything,
than those of the present year.
The chief reasons advanced in support Of
this statement are that the cost of making
a light wheel is greater than the cost of
making a heavy one, and that the former Is
much more likely to break down and cause
additional expense to the manufacturer who
guarantees it. The low price at which
wheels are expected to sell next year dis
courages manufacturers from taking any
unnecessary risks, and they aver that their
profits are likely to be too small to warrant
much of an increase In the cost of produc-
ton. 1t is not known exactly what the ma
chimes of the 80 pattern will weigh, but, II
accounts are true, they will be 1one pound,
AraI -,la Ar- --. -
wheels of today.
At first thought a difference Of one or
two pounds In the weight of a bicycle may
seem too trivial a matter for serious con-
sideration; and, indeed, to riders of mus
cular build 1t is. But many cyclists are not
Shadows. They look upon a thirty pound
bicycle today as they did seven years ago
upon one of almost twice that weight; but
their aversion TO heavy wheels at the pres
ent time is stronger than il was then, for
the reason that time has demonstrated the
possibility of making wheels extremely light
AS 1t happens, the makers side OF the case
seldom receives very much attention from
wheelmen, II the latter, for example, de-
sire twenty-two-pound wheels, they will
buy where they think they can get the
best machines of that weight for theiI
money, and 1t matters little to them whether
the manufactures nets more or less on those
machines than he would on others thai
weigh thirty pounds. Lightweight bicycles
are admitted by all to be less stanch and
rigid for ordinary road use than are those
of medium weight, but, nevertheless, the
tests withstood by the former have beer
sufficiently creditable to make light wheels
acceptable to a large part of the cycling
fraternity.
Numerous reasons were ascrlbed for tn,
rapid increase in the popularity of cycling
during the year 1886, and at that time Tho
reason most generally given was that peo
pie had not before appreciated the benefits
OF the exercise. Many riders venture al
explanation quite different from that. The!
say that, prior 10 three years ago, bicycle
were altogether too heavy to commen'
themselves thoroughly to the public; the.
were clumsy, and, unless used on smootl
roads, quickly tired inexperienced riders
AS a result of using heavy wheels, man.
beginners lost heart in cycling and spok,
d~isparagingly of il to their friends. The APP
!, pearance of twenty and twenty-five poun'
bicycles soon oyercame the objections, an
, about that time wheeling received a surpris
ing impetus.
!; The greatest demand for Lightweight