The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-07-15
DsxAND FOR SECONDHAND BICYCLES.
Better Prices Obtained for Them Now THAI
at Any Time In Former Years.

Although this years bicycles are Of good
quality and their variety IL large. there exists
an unusual demand for wheels OF the models
OF 1893 and 1909. new or second hand. that are
In good condition. This fact was noticeable
soon after the opening Of the present season.
and a. the summer has advanced II became
no less apparent. Individual riders who have
been content TO keep their old mounts until
an opportunity was offered for selling or eI-
changing them advantageously are surprised
at the readiness with which they are able 10
dispose OF them this year. inasmuch as tho
demand In former years for secondhand wheels
has been poor.
Last year. for example. the rider who wished
to dispose Of an old machine at anything like
a reasonable price might canvass half the b.
cycle shops In town and approach all his friends
on the subject without being able TO And any
one willing To give $40 for a wheel that cost
500. Five or 81 might be allowed for
a n old wheel In exchange for a new one.
or a reduction Of SIS might be obtained from
IN the old one. A greater allowance than that
was exceptional. aud at the bicycle exchanges
$40 In cash was generally the highest. price
paid under any circumstances An idea II
the change In the situation may be obtained
from the experience, OF an uptown man who
T tsss bs,c secassd :, good siI prices for %s@ aoSr ma Si S.
Nhht NtOliS' " b'NlNl ''hpN VI W.
family; To a reporter Of The srN he sold:
Perhaps there Is nothing surprising In tho
faSs that o.s three one OF ,ni tns 6i ,S.'s Il, cosdI uT pIi.s'
considering that they were all hlsh-oiass ma.
chimes: In view Of the difficulty l had last
y VIZ W When HSs' ! have ave 1901 sold a them Gne th III year year for ore more So1s
than twioe that amount seems at least a little
remarkable. Two Of the machines were u
The Cheapest cost SIS when new. and one q
them was OF a special grade and cost Sl2j.
When the warm weather. set 10 last summer
~. 81 rss Us o. r the nS% .es. nss0 nnd Y L p possi6 Slset di.po 1Ss
OF our wheels for cash with the intention q
buying, new ones this year. We inserted sev-
out finding a purchaser, and I made a tour Of
half a dozen shops downtown that dealt in SEQ
ond-hand wheels and OF as many more ~ Har-
my desire to sell the wheels and asked them
to be on the lookout.
The best offer ! received after perseyer!ns
women's wheels that cost SIS and had been rid
den not more than 400 miles. The offer was
not satisfactory, and l retained the machine.
bSetter than those OF dealers. several OF the lat
tor having named Is and 81 as their top price.
Last spring the machines we're still unsold.
ing. / renewed my EFFORTS to dispose OF the old
bicycles. Ny experience last season led me
to keep clear Of second-hand stores. and | sin
Fact That the SSe' .bItes' w SDTa' for ora saie. Inside oi
a week after ward there was call for a woman's
machine. and II was sold for s22 cash. Three
slss m ,Ssss a WIZ msh the srHi ass Of Z BUYING sS esa L for f bPs
brother. He rode IL around the block a couple
OF times and then said he would give :25 for
it. exactly the price asked. Only two wheels
remained unsold. and before the list OF July
those also were on my hands, having brought
SIS and $40 respectively. Indeed. II l had four
more bicycles In as good condition as those
referred to ! believe they could be sold at .
fair price.
Whatever may be the reason for II, there
are a great many wheelmen this year who pre-
fer to invest In bloylces that have been tested
by actual use. They argue that so few radical
changes have been made in wheels during the
last few years that only the most experienced
rider is able to tell some models two or three
years old from the new ones, and that the former
possess the reputation Of being strong, easv.
running and durable. while In the newer makes
those qualities must yet be somewhat in doubt.
There 10. OF course. more or less foundation
for reasoning in that way, but, all the same.
! am convinced that the bicycles now on the
market have. on the whole. had no superiors
In years past"