New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-10-20
CYCLING.
WHAT PRESIDENT DIKEMAN OF THE
CYCLE BOARD OF TRADE HAS TO SAY.
FAvORs OPENING DAY AS a GOOD THING FOR
THE TRADE AND TIE RIDERS PERFECTION
IN CHAIN WHEELS WILL BE REACHED
NEXT Seasonal DEALER DISCUSSES
TIE CHAINTESS AND THE
THIRTY-INCH WHEEI.-NOTES

AND 'bMMENTS
c. S Dlkeman OF Torrngion. Conn. the pres-
dent % the National Board OF Trade OF cycle Manu-
facturers was in the city yesterday Mr.. Dikeman
takes the rosest view OF the cycling conditions. and
he Of the opinion that the year 1890 will be one
OF the best in the history Of the wheel Mr.. Dixie
man was asked what the National Board would do
regarding cycle shows. He implied by his answer
tina. shows not necessary.
Opening Day IL was observed in this and
other cities last winter he said. met with my
hearty approval at that time and | am Of the
0pin.on that the idea one of the best advanced
for ali concerned. 1t was an emphatic success
wherever It tried then. and with the prcpara-
tions made In advance and the Endorsement OF the
dealers. f. ought To be made an emphatic success
this winter remember that in this city the scheme
proved be excellent one. in the face of de'ced-
~ dsaCreeaby weather. There are fewer dealers to-
day than was the even year ago. but those
who are left are in the field 10 stay. They are ms
a general thing good business men, and II they
will give the matter proper attention Bicycle Day
may he pretty generally observed In most or the
larger cities The dealer Is tho natural outlet for
the trade and he should. Of course. hav' his say IN
the matter. The bicycle deae: to-day mas haturaI
fold "a fill the same as the clOthier or merchant
in any other branch ~ trade. He deals In an art-
Gle of merchandise I'm general usc. and the dealers
who have been in the trade for a long time. and
believe that will see a greater demand FOR hlsh-
grade goods next season than has been the case
for tho last two years Some Of the manufacturers
Know are preparing to furnish light weight wheels
for women. and think that this WI be one OF me
features for next season. There VII he also nner
equipments all along the line. ny cqnpmGnI I
mean tires saddles and things Of that sort. Why.
some Of the saddles placed on some whcels ms
year were of the cheap. undesTaDe sort, whtn
be said Of some Of tho tires. ! have seen tires on
some wheels which were no better inaP r3pgr
approach to perfection in chain wheels thai "a.
into use by the clamor for low prices, The idea was
in many cases 10 get bicycle. and proper atten-
cured II was not unlike tho who buys his
first horse. He does not know much about IT, So
the next animal that no purchases vii ne better
horse and Will be ne with n o,cr
when get used TO sports and recreation We Do
man1 the better Implements
While the local dealers are not overrun with
orders Just now a decidly healthier tone seems 70
prevail all along the line. W. H. Webster. In speak
ing of the bicycle trade Yesterday said: MANY az
the dealers seem to think that as soon as the spring
has passed the trade for the year is over This
might have been the years ago hut II IS not
so today The bicycle Is no longer u toy and a
laything. and there Is more or less demand for
1t right through the year. or course most Of ne
wheels Will sold IN tho early spring. nut a lot
Of them being sold now The bicycle Is a salaoie
ness slackcns mp in the fall. then IS the time for
ness man he come pretty near arranging for n
drive some particular line: The wedding out
on the dealers handling bicycles and accessories Of
makers with established regulations. ought to be-
able 10 keep their heads above water. They are
here to stay and the clever dealer Will make the
most Of IT,
Many Of the experts are discussing the chainess
bicycles. the thlriy-nch wheels and other features
Of the year. Most OF them are of the opinion that
the chainless wheel has come TO stay but nobody
seems willing 70 estimate just what the demand
win he for wheels % this sort next year Many
are Of the opinion that the price of the chanless
will play important part. Several Of the proml-
nent makers have not been won over TO the chain
less style yet and they will depend on the chain
wheel for next year Several prominent makers
will put the thrty-inch wheel on the market. but
few will feature IL. This sort of bicycle had more
or less sale during the present year An expert who
mas STUDIED the matter carefully is OF the opinion
that the thirty Inch wheel is all right level
road hut that # is harder to propc up steep hill
than the regulation twenty-eght-inCh wheel
Others say that for men with extremely long legs
there advantages. providing that seven and one
quarter-inch cranks are used The experts say that
the makers will continue 10 put the thlrty-inch /
wheel the market long as there Is demand {
for it. The general opinion seems 10 be that me1
OF average stature and below the average will get
better service ont Of the resua ton wheel.