The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-01-03
CYCLING

One thing that seems sure in this tran
sitional period is that bicycle buyers
must be keener in mechanical sense
than heretofore in order to tell the
worthy from the pretentious. There
will be many forms of chainless wheels
and many forms of chain wheels offered
for choice. In type Of frame they will
be alike, but the CONSTRUCTION" will
vary greatly. There is growing ten
dency toward diversity Of method among
Internationally in brazing. in the
fashion of bearings, cranks, crank
axles. and in the fastening of. handle
bars at seat posts. The chief question
in 1898 will be: What price?" but the
secondary questions regarding make,
style and details, will be more trouble
some than ever they were when they
came first. Will 1t be the old, exposed
chain wheel with new equipment q
gear-cased chain wheel, bevel gear
wheel, or some new form of chainless
cycle? THE Ills we have, or others
that we know not Of" will be the prob
lem with many rider. Some cry bevel
gear, others improved chain, others en-
closed chain, and all cry: 1.-The wheel Of
the future" The first has the advant-
age of novelty, with the disadvantage of
high price, and of being experimental;
the second has the best of it in price, but
is handicapped by age; the third has an
advantage in both price and novelty, but
has some prejudice to overcome. Each
form is a leader, and each has its fol-
lowers. At present the ranks of the
old style, exposed chain army are thin
ming out. Enclosed driving mechanism,
gear cases and bevel gears seems to be
gaining ground. That there can be no
such thing as gain of power is becom-
ing better understood, and the demand
is for a smaller waste Of power in trans
mission, through extra friction due to
accumulated grit.
Christmas bicycle buyers are funny
customers when they come back with a
wheel they have trundled home and ask
to get their money refunded, because the
person for whom the cycle was intended
preferred a "Hosannah" to a "Hallelu-
jah." One tried to cancel an order and
get cash returned because "the janitor
two doors below" where the wheel was
sent for temporary keeping, locked it
up and went away over Christmas. 1t
spoiled the surprise, and after Christ
mas the intended victim wanted differ
ent make.
Haas, the Los Angeles wheelman who
completed an across-country ride in
which he claims to have broken all ex-
listing records for years work, will try
1t again nextyear. His ride was won
derful performance, and has attracted
the attention of eastern manufacturers,
who see in Haas an opportunity to adj
vertise their wheels. tires or bicycle ac-
cessories. Haas will winter here, and
will early in the spring start out on an
other tour. His ambition is to circle
the globe, and If he can secure backing
enough to make the trip worth his while
he will make the attempt. AS yet his
plans have not been made. If he starts
he will probably follow the route Of the
unfortunate Frank LEM, who was MUIR
dered by bandits in Armenia.
A good bicycle with decent use will
last six seasons or more, and pair of
road tires of fair weight may be ridden
from 5000 to 10000 miles on ordinary
roads. An English authority states
that a pair of tires in one instance was
known to run $4,000 miles and still be fit
for use.
Boston has withdrawn from the race