The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-07-09
THE WHEEL


Charles M. Murphys wild ride
against time between the rails of the
Long Island railroad last Friday made
cycle record that perhaps will never
be equaled. says the Chicago Times
Herald. Judging from the results it
was useless unless the demonstration
of the wonderful capabilities of the
American bicycle and the men who
propel them are taken into considera-
ton. Unlike some other speed trials.
II seems that the time taken bears the
stamp of reliability. The watches that
were held on him varied only fraction
of second, and the timers deemed
themselves justified in marking down
the record performance in 0:57 40.
Those interested in the record-break-
ing performances maintain that there
Is practically no limit to the speed
which might be attained on bicycle.
Murphy himself, who some time ago
rode mile under similar conditions as
those attained Friday, in o:65, set out
to do the mile in 0:55. 1t was shown,
however, despite the utmost precautions
and with conditions almost perfect for
the speed trial, the race entailed risks
which at the close almost cost the in
trepid rider his life. Murphy may be
expected to rest on his laures and leave
the record established for others to look
upon. The satisfaction OF getting be-
low the one-minute mark has been at
| tanned
Murphy's performance gives some ev-
| idence of the wonderful possibilities of
| the silent steed." In speed-making it
has long since annihilated the records
| established by the horse The wheel
| has proved itself an able substitute in
every part of the world, and, judging
| from reports of United States consuls,
| 1t is gradually driving to the pastures
the noblest animal tanned by man.
| There has been remarkable change
of the fashion in handlebars during the
last year.. Whereas year ago nine out
Of 10 wheels were fitted with drop-bars,
at present about eight machines in 10
have up-turned bars, and the demand
Is general for the latter pattern. The
change has been gradual and yet rapid
1t began among the fastest riders, who
were naturally the first to discover that
the cramped position commonly accred-
TIED to the scorcher cut their wind and
rendered them less capable of prolong
ed effort than would be the case in a
normal position.
There seems to be no doubt that for
racing purposes the drop-bar is an es-
sential feature of wheel construction.
The rider must assume a position that
Will afford the least possible resistance
to the wind, and the drop-bar was in
vented to conform to this requirement.
1t became the fashion among all classes
of riders, however. to hump themselves
over the bars, and when the heavily
dropped handles became part of the or
binary wheel equipment hundreds of
new riders learned to ride in that posi-
ton.
There never was nor ever will there
be any necessity for the cramped post
ure in riding for pleasure, and the rae
ing men have been the first to realize
this. When a man able to go his
mile in two minutes is met on the boul-
evard a'wheel, his position is invariably
the upright one, for in that position he
is able to secure the greatest comfort.
The demand for straight or upturned
bars began with last season and now
| 1t Is just about attaining its full swing
In some of the eastern cities ordinances
have been passed forbidding the use of
dropped handlebars and providing that
no wheel shall be ridden within the city
limits with bars depressed below the
horizontal This ordinance exists and
is enforced in Washington and as well
in the city of New York. In Minneap-
oils there has been need of such a meas
ure, but it no longer exists. The rams
horn bar is disappearing from the
streets with extraordinary rapidity and
in its place may be found the straight
or upturned bars that make for com
fort, safety and elegance. The scud-
ding, petticoated spinal curvature
whose appearance on the worlds boul-
evards has been a reproach to modern
civilization, win be known no more for
term of years at least, and the buck
le-backed male monstrosity, her con-
sort, may also be expected to take a
vacation.
In connection with the trade reports
1t Is seen that the American wheel is
king. 1t is making life burden for the
foreign manufacturers. Into every
part of the globe the American bicycle
is pushing its way. China, Japan and
Siam are among the Eastern countries
which are heavy buyers. In the mani
fest for the week which ended June
20, 20 cases of bicycles We're shipped for
China: Siam took Is cases. France led
in receiving S44 cases at Havre.
On the heels of the practical forma-
ton of the American Bicycle company
better known as the bicycle trust"
comes the announcement that no effort
will be made to hamper factories in the
combination from purchasing their
material wherever they wish. Already
large contracts have been made by
some companies in the combination
with firms not rated as particularly
friendly to the trust. Should this prove
true. it is argued that most of the OBJ
jections against the trust would be re-
moved. The trust would then be giving
some evidence that it did not intend to
hinder or retard trade competition, des-
pite the fact that the price of wheels
might be controlled.
1t seems now probable that A. G.
Spalding will be elected permanent
president of the American Bicycle COM
pany and the offices will probably be
located in New York. Many have ex-
pected to see Col. Albert Pope head of
the concern but the hackers and the
manufacturers have taken an informal
ballot and 81 out of SO votes went 10
Mr.. Spalding.
The story comes from the East that
John ID. Rockefeller has entered the
field of automobiles and that his par
ticular energies will be devoted to get
ting the upper hand of Joseph Letter,
Richard Croker and others who have
lately become interested in the COM
pressed air automobile trust. Mr..
Rockefeller is said to have invested