The Portland daily press., 1898-03-07

from the use of the wheel; that question
has been conolusively settled, not only ny
the practically unanimous voice OF inc
American people, but by the whole CIVIL
lied world. 1t is intended, however, thao
the information herein conalneu Shall, III
keeping with the general pollcy OF tnls
paper be of real practical value to each
reader, and especially TO those VINO ahtio-
ipate buying bicycle.
To the latter question of considerable
importance to decide upon is: winch
is the besU bicycle?' We appreciate fully
the great difficulties the prospective buyer
finds in obtaining truthful and correct
answer to that question.
In the first place, he himself is not
AGO tainted with the relative merits of the
various wheels manufactured. and,
therefore, can not decide for himself.
Secondly, he can not rely on the opin-
ions of other bicycls riders, as they. like
himself, may be unacquainted with the
merits of other wheels, or may be prejn-
diced in favor of the one he rides, or may
have selfish interest by means of com
mission from dealer or manufacturer.
Third he can not take his choice by
reading advertisements of printed matter
of manufacturers, since one and all, be-
lieving they are right and Justified In
saying so, claim their respective make
the very best. AS only one can be
"best,' all the others are, of course, mis-
taken.
Fourth, he can not expect to have his
question answered by any cycling journal
because In so doing such journals would
commit financial suicide, since all the
other manufacturers, except the one
given the first place as the" best" would
withdraw their advertising patronage.
He could, of course, receive from such
paper an opinion couohed in the non-com-
initial terms "such make Of bicycle is
one Of the best" AS this answer would
apply in turn to perhaps all the wheels
manufactured, if the question were SUI
mitted a sufficient number Of times TO
the large number of cycle publications,
the information thereby obtained would
be of no benefit.
In view of such difficulties to correct
decision, this paper decided to MAKE
thorough and exhaustive investigation,
the result of which would be definite
and decided answer as to when was tne
very best bicycle manufactured. we
realize the responsibility OF making sucn
q decision, since we are aware our readers
will accept it as final and worthy OF
fullest credence. Bor the benefit OF new
readers we state such faith on the part OF
our readers is caused by their knowledge
of the inyariable method pursued by this
paper, by which we can consc1enUlously
give an independent and unbiased report
method is to examine closely through the
avenue of our editorial and reportorlal
staff, without the knowledge of any man
ufacturer interested, and further without
making any charge, accepting any GIT,
or soliciting any advertisement from any
one whose wares we pass upon. Ihls
policy we are enabled to pursue owing to
The large profits from q high subscription
price and rated circulation greater than
any other paper of it's kind in the West.
Our representatives have therefore
given close and critical attention to the
claims of all the leading makes OF wheels
as found in their catalogues, and as pre-
sented by agents and interested wheel
men, AS q result of thorough and pract1
cal tests and examinations, the unani-
NOUS verdict OF our reporters was In
favor of the "LovelI Diamond" manu-
featured by thu john p. Lowell Arms
company. Boston. Mass. and was based
| upon general and symetrical excellence
| in every part of a bicycle coupled with
correct and scientific design.
| Space forbids the publication OF the
details of the character of that investiga
| ton, but we remark in passing that
great stress was laid on the opinions of a
| large number of practical workmen who
have examined the mechanical features OF
| it, and to the well-known preference
given to 1t by thousands Of the best
| Wheelmen in the country; also to the fact
| that the manufacturers of this wheel have
reached the acme of perfection in the art
of bicycle building, and again, to its great
| and growing success as demonstrated by
the sales OF the same, which promise to
break the record before the season ends