New-York tribune., 1900-07-01
IN THE CYCLING WORLD.
FREAK WHEELS OF RACING MEN NOT
SATISFACTORY FOR ROAD UsEA
PLUCKYs NEWSDEALER AND
HIS BICYCLE-NOTEs
AND COMMENTS

considerable nonsense has been circulated
Gently about certain freak ideas in relation the
bicycle which Jimmy" Michael rides in his races.
Now in the first place Michael is of such peculiar
physical conformation that ne might be bic use
peculiar mechanical construction which would be
entirely unsuited for the average rider The only
trouble with wheels of peculiar design used by
racing the track is that other alleged fast
riders are fond Of following in the footsteps OF
these riders and ordering wheels similarly con-
structed- IN consequence the manufacturer and
the dealer Disconnected, and If they comply with
the demand the chances are that the wheel will be
Of service 10 the road rider. In discussing tho
question Of the front wheel being smaller than the
rear wheel manufacturer said,
"A 24-iuCh front wheel might suit little runt of
the Michael type cor following motor machines, and
there It's utility ends. Many Of the racing
advocates Of almost straight front forks Now,
wheels so constructed would not be serviceabIe for
road use for the that the average rider
would be unable TO turn his machine without touch
ing the front wheel with his feet You know what
would happen then. Now, that natural rake in the
front forks enables the rider to steer his wheel
better. hear some Of our mechanical experts dis
oussing the practicability Of changing the bicycle
lines for the future. I believe that one OF the
fastest racing wheels that I ever saw had a top
bar running downward to the saddle post instead
Of in straight line, is the case to-day II is the
f0Ind oIt w VIA eE sun ss Ta ,l Tffe5 o i5af
sulky they found that the horse could travel faster
Of the future will not show the chain and chanless
patterns in general use today. With a complicated
34a9s The6 @ Rq run was a1 and % @ s5e gn pc made
There is a plucky newsdeaIer IN this city who
rides bicycle to Newspaper Row every night or,
rather, before daylight His name is Joe How
district He is about twe2ty-eight years old, ana
some years a go he was a painter While at work
one day ne fell from a building, and it was found
necessary to amputate his right leg just below the
knee. He had been hobbIing over for his papers
early each morning. and found that ne could not
compete with fleet footed rivals Then he thought
Of the bicycle. and now he is happy He managed
TO purchase a old bicycle for SO, and started in
himself to readiust his machine suit his own re-
qUirements The right pedal was removed. and
from the side OF the bicycle the front forks
he built little wooden box On this box he
rests the stump OF MS leg, ana AsiLe ne ooN ~ ne
ca rries mis- tool kit, well MS pipe and
supply Of tobacco. After getting MS papers he
with his one sound limb in good style. The little
wooden box IS tied 10 the machine with. old
Satisfied. He has wheeled over the Brooklyn
Bridge when traffic was heavy, and ne can cIiLno
& hill which would make the average rider puff.
From now until the end of August the most
enjoyable times for riding the early morning
and the evening after sunset. Experienced trav-
elers usually arrange their riding time in this
way. leaving the heat Of the day for rest and
sightseeing The morning spin is a capital prep
aration for a days brain work, but something
pace should be easy. The evening runs should not
be taken till at least half an hour after dinner.
II the days business has been tatiguing- The main
thlng Is to get the an WIN JusL enough eHerqs5e
benefit OF cycling lies in the fact that one can
travel swiftly through the air with little exerton
veteran rider takes exception TO the statement
that the coaster brake, or free wheel, tires the
arms more rapidly than the fixed gear He says.
''It is correct with the qualification that when
has Sraa -haeT- ~ha r4-a1
arm feeling ceases. The reason is this: On fixed
wheel instnetively steers TO great extent
with the feet, pedalling forward and back pedal
ling intuitiveIy as the occasion needs. But let the
fixed wheel rider Try 10 ride free wheel no hands
and he is all at sea He has therefore. to steer
the machine with the arms unqided by the test
has to I1nIearn The trick Of back pedaIlirg lex
cept when the brake is required and learn
arrives al this stage the tired feeling in the arms
WI disappear II IS therefore uHIalr 10 say Ihat
redaiIng Of q free wheel which is responsible for
The fatigue"
A wheeIman named Grimwood has been sen
tenced in England TO fourteen days imprisonment.
without the option Of fine, for alleged furious
riding. The consta bic estimated the speed at from
fourteen to eighteen miles an hour bur the de-
fence put II Al five six Grinwood who Is
chief engineer Of g steamer was not present as
his duties called him away, SO that surprise
awaits him when he returns from his cruise The
only corroborettVe evidence OF the speed, given
y I5 Cs p 5J 2i 5 i ma o. b i ian no vas was
him before he could turn round, a statement which
gives the impression that he could hardly form
reliable estimate Of the speed
The bicycle is recognized as a necessary
quick and cheap method of travelling and If there
is much difference in the cost Of keeping up and
running a motor vehicle compared with horse
traction as there is believed 10 be- a man who runs
a horse for business purposes is wasting money
every year. This question Of viii decide
a Is z ia ken nm
10 be now, by a wealthy few fad. whether
on downright solid business, cost for cost II can
make horse an expensive means of hauIage. A
uaQeSnan VINO runs pony trap FOR a dozen calls
day, has Of course no use for a motor. but q
hrIn having work for. say, TWO horse vehicles
more than the work of both horse vehicles at less
The Scottish Cycling Union erected last year
three emergency repair stations II is now reported
that a single instance has occurred Of the ap-
plances provided being utilized. OF course not Ne
self-respecting bicycle would break down a
repair station
1t Is interesting to note tnar little practical
wisdom was imported into a cycling case that came
before the Central Criminal Court In London re-
Gently. A youthful rider was arraigned on the
serious charge Of manslaUghter, the victim being
old Inasmuch as there was direct con-
hict Of testimony 10 the type Of machine that
he riding. some witnesses averring that he
scorching racing mount and others that
the opposite was the case, the actual cycle was
produced in court and the prisoner ordered
mount II before the Judge The effect Of this in
handlebar not Of the dropped variety, and that
the machine short for its rider. that he
the end the wheeman was acquitted If similar
pains were always taken 10 attain the ends Of
Justice there might be fewer convictions for furious
riding
CORRESPONDENT SUES BREWER.