New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-29

q CHff1HKe.
road ahead. 1t Is dangerous to turn our ana psss
suddenly before ascertaining whe'her '"e ''"''
In clear.
The elaborate tests for determining the quar-
ity and strength Of materials in the Pope Manu-
featuring Companys department OF tests are OF
interest chiefly TO the techncist. but the opera
ton OF the ingenious machines which subject
the whole bicycle or any OF its component parts
to conditions conforming to those Of rough road
riding hill climbing. etc. always engages the
close attention OF the visitor with or without
technical training. The machine used Tor deter
mining the life Of bicycle wheel causes II
to whirl against a revolving humping arrange
ment while loaded with a weight corresponding
to the weight Of the average rider duplicating
the effect OF riding over rough cobbles at speed
Of a dozen miles more an hour. 1t Is good
wheel that will stand this sort of punishment
for thirteen hours. Another device determines
the effect upon the completed bicycle OF such
effort as would he exerted by the cycst in over
coming the resistance OF riding under varying
conditions OF road surface and grade
The saddle should be so placed that when the
rider Is seated and OF the pedals IS at us
lowest point the body is directly over the pedal.
so that II the entire weight is placed on the
redaIs the body will still be over the saddle.
The saddle should he so high that when the
pedal is at It's lowest point the ball of the foot
reaches 1t easily and without bending the ankle
more than trife. In other words. IL should be
SO placed that the heel Will almost reach the
pedal when at its lowest point.
Overcaution in cycling is source OF danger
Constant dodgers are pretty sure to get hurt.
Their frantic haf-blind efforts to escape fanced
pers frequently lead them into real dangers,
from which there is escape without smash
or at least a fall.
To have too long a crank ones bicycle is 70
make the rider present ungainly appearance.
besides which IT Is far more firing than to ride
| With rational cranks With low gear. say 90
or 63. 1t is quite unnecessary to have a crank
longer than Ga inches. except In the case OF rid
ers possessing abnormal length OF limb who
| may use a GU inch crank. 1t Is the craze for
high gears and long cranks which makes riding
often a toll instead OF a pleasure.
Many riders have a habit OF Jerking out their
knees at the beginning Of the stroke when pedal
ling. This has an ugly appearance. and wastes
a considerable amount Of the power otherwise
available for propulsion. The knees should
travel up aid down without any lateral motion.
When in search of dismal and ear piercing
squeak and the despairing cycst has found
that all diagnosis and treatment has proved
futile, he Will do we'll to look at his bearings
and ascertain II the ball race. not over
crowded The removal Of n superfuOus ball
from the bearings will often stop a squeak that
has puzzled and bafllcd the rider for weeks.
The League Of American Wheelmen has
dropped few thousand members. but the OIL
GERS believe that the lowest mark has been
reached and that returns in the near future VIII
again show increasing membership
Competent inspection of the material used in
cycle construction and Of the finished product
before II leaves the factory is the best Of all
guarantees TO the buyer
Cyclists desiring to join the League Of Amer
lean Wheelmen may obtain full printed nforna-
ton and membership blanks by sending their
names and addresses to the Cycling Editor. The
Tribune.