The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-05-07

plant to make. The demand for wheels
OF all classes continues undated.
This is condition mutually satisfac-
| tory to the agent and the manufac-
turer, whose success depends on the
| success of the man who handles his
| wares.
| This year more than ever bicycles
are selling on their merit Statesmen
| declare that the public has become
| educated and is SO familiar with the
| construction and makeup of a bicycle
| that it is impossible to make a state
| ment which bears questioning without
| fear of having it refuted by the listener,
who has arguments to advance in proof
| OF his contentious. Trade has reached
! that point where each wheel has indi-
| vidual points which meet with appro-
! val among certain buyers, and for these
| characteristics the bicycle is pur-
chased. The patrons of the chainless
| patterns are divided between the bevel
| gear, roller gear and spur gear Those
| who are still advocates of chains agree
| on that one thing, but have their own
pet theories in other directions. There
| are some enthusiastic over the idea of
one maker, having double set of
| stays in the rear. Others are believers
| in one piece cranks and aXles above all
things. while some insist on a certain
| chain adjustment or self-lubricatng
bearing before they will consent to
|
bicycle shoppers in plenty these days.
and they wander about from store to
store until they hit on just what kind
| of a bicycle thew are seeking. once
it is found, the salesman's road is
! smooth.
A recent dispatch from the New York
| Herald says: Recent developments in
| the attempted formation of bicycle
trust indicate the hugeness of the
scheme as contemplated by the promot-
ers and prove that all is not plain sail
ing towards the success of the scheme.
| Not only was it the intention to form
combination of all big manufactur
of bicycles, but they aimed to bring
into the scheme all makers Of saddles
tires, rims tubing and other bicycle
| parts. With this end in view options
| have been secured on the plants of
many manufacturers of supplies and
parts 1t made little difference that
some of the part makers, like the sad
die men, for example, had already
formed a trust of their own. AS a mat
ter of fact. it is stated on excellent au-
thority that A. l.. Garford, who recent
ly formed the bicycle saddle trust was
largely instrumental in whipping the
saddle and parts makers into line for
the bigger combination.
1t now appears that the big bicycle
manufacturers are not nearly so unani-
NOUS in the opinion that the proposed
| trust if consummated will be able to
prevent the manufacture of bicycles "
any one not connected with or con-
trolled by the trust. With the big ma
kers in the combination, it is claimed
that all patents of any use in the man
ufacture of bicycles will be controlled
by the trust and hence the means by
which to shut out competition.
Makers who have decided to remain
: independent aver that many of these
patents are questionable. and that few
if any. have ever been sustained by the
! courts.
If riders who are troubled witt
squeaks in their bicycles do not tint
them in the head of the machine, the
cranks, pedals or the saddles, they
should look to their spokes. The aver
!, age rider is neglectful about having thu
| spokes of his wheel kept properly tight
| The frequency with Which spoke
should be frightened varies greatly Will
: different wheels and different usage
but wheels which are ridden considera
bly, are apt to need this attention ono
{ in three or four months. When tin
+ spokes get loose, and they usually ar
SO in the spring in wheels that hav
1 been out of commission all winter, til
G spoke gets a slight play through tn
eyelet by which it lis fastened to til
y hub, and, working back and forth
0 causes a squeak that is not easily 10
I Gated. A saddle squeak is deceptv
because it is heard when the rider
pushing down hard on the pedal. whc
|, creates an impression that the noise
: somewhere about the sprocket o
: cranks. The saddle squeak is easil
e cured with few drops of oil, but tn
p spoke squeak means that the wheel
!. sick and wants to go to a repair shol
4 where most wheels do not go ofte
s enough. Repair men smile at the fun
t ing of riders over the expense of q
r overha uling that is due to the negleI
: of the owner. Shop men appreciate
fact that every rider should learr
o which is that with bicycles, as wit
e other vehicles and with clothing, .
II stitch in time saves nine.
e Efforts were made this spring
|, bring Eddie Bald and Pat Macdor
h aid, who trained Bad in 1897. togethe
but these are said to have failed, Bal
g thinks we'll of Doc Morrow, who prov
n ed hard and faithful worker a
e last season 1t is said that Macdol
C aid will have charge of Major Ia,
lor.
S In two weeks of work in the Ea
Y. following the Eastern fashion of train
Il ing. the Californian, Hardy DoWnin
p has rounded into better shape tina
e he ever displayed before in a success
a full career of four years en- the Pacif
If coast. Il am surprised at myself
n said the handsome Californian, for
never expected to be able until late
g the season, and after much hard wor
t.. to hold this bunch
" Having signed with a maker for Il
Dr. present year, Eddie Bald. the lever,
lie day Champion will now begin trail
" ing for the season which will soon
" at hand. Bald is determined that
is will ride in better form than ever tn
J. year, and in training will devote hin
tt self absolutely TO improving his spec
is AS the Buffalo speed merchant
e. averse to risking defeat, he will 70
r. felt his title to the early races by +
naming in training until June. H
n. first open race will be at Manhatts
40 Beach on June Il.
,e The English cyclists are preparir
,1t a fine welcome for the touring par
tl,1 I 81