CYCLING.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVIII, Issue XIX, 8 May 1897, Page 574

CYCLING.

THE 1897 BICYCLE. THE 1897 bicycle, while showing uo marked departure from its predecessors in mechanical principles and general appearance, marks a great advancement in simplicity of construction, combined with lightness and strength. In fact, the changes in these directions are more markeel than those during any one year, since the wheel has been generally adopted as a vehicle. The wheel, like other inventions, began a complicated and cumbersome thing. Now the minimum of weight with the maximum of strength and speed is apparently very nearly approached. \\ e notice, first, in the 1597 models, the increased use of nickel steel of the five per cent, grade, which, weight for weight, has about ten times the endurance of twentyfive per cent, carbon steel. This shows the possibility of the reduction in weight, and is evidenced by an examination of the tubing of the new wheels. This tubing is lighter and larger, while being on the safe side of the breaking point. Then we notice the saving in weight, the increase of strength and the addition of grace by the adoption of flush joints. This is a marked improvement in the new wheels. Another very notable feature of the new wheels is a reduction in the number of pieces. This is seen in every portion of the wheel, and has the result of dispensing with many nuts, bolts, screws, and clamps. It is particularly noticeable in the cranks and axles. Instead of five pieces, some of the new wheels have only two. That is, the axle and cranks are in two pieces, which, when put in place, are joined in the centre. Besides the other advantages referred to, this allows of a more narrow tread, thus bringing the feet of the rider nearer together, adding to muscular power and contributing to grace. Then there is a new axle and cranks of only one piece —a single forging to which the sprocket wheel is fastened by being slipped over a permanent leg, which bears all the strain and leaves the holding screws to simply keep the sprocket in position. There is also a new adjustable chain, into which links can be inserted at will, without tools and without delay. This is accomplished by the use of a slotted link, with the centre of the opening sufficiently enlarged to allow it to be slipped off or on its holding rivets. By this form of link the annoyance of delay through broken chains can be avoided. There is also shown a new chain adjustment, easily and accurately operated by means of a thumb screw that adjusts the chain evenly on both sides and allows of anv desired tension. Then there is a noticeable improvement in the protection of all bearings from dust. This is particularly to be seen in the axles, where an inner brass tube, fitted with felt washers at its ends, keeps in the oil and excludes the dust. This not only keeps down the friction, but, for tne same reason, adds to the life of the machine. Many wheels ako show an increase in the size of the balls, the standard, five-sixteenths of an inch, being increased to three-eighths of an inch. The selarger balls wear better and cut less. There are also valuable features contained in the provision for oiling, cleaning, and flushing the bearings without disturbing the adjustment, or removing any of the parts of the bearings. A screw in the sprocket flange or crank axle, permits the application of oil directly on the balls, the same result being effected on the opposite bearing by means of an oil hole in the ad-

justing cone. The forms of oiling device differ in various makes, but in all the improvement is in the direction of ease and comfort in oiling without the necessity of removing parts. It will be noticed in the construction of the portions of the wheel referred to, that there is an increase in the ease of assembling the parts, there being fewer pieces and a decrease in required fastenings. This makes the machine not only less likely to get out of order, but makes it more easily repaired, because parts can be inserted without tools or more than ordinary skill. Then the joining of parts is done more securely than before. This is notable in the fastening of the handle bar, in which there is a strong tendency to get rid of clamps and bolts. In handle bars the forms of last year are preserved, and every variety of shape is to be found, but with them all there is a tendency to narrowness, which brings the hands nearer together, requiring less swing to produce the desired result, and keeping the guiding apparatus under more diiect control. There is an increase in variety of gears, giviifg almost any desired combination and relation between the rear and driving sprocket. Then there is a tendency toward enlargement of the sprocket, some being made with ten and twenty-five teeth, instead of eight and twenty teeth. This makes a decrease in required power, and yet, through saving in weight, and perfection of construction, speed is not sacrificed. There has also been an improvement in saddles in the direction of additional springs, and better inflation of pneumatic seats, as well as the use of the best material, carefully constructed. All this will add both to the comfort and health of the rider. Then there has been an improvement in cyclometers, by the reduction in size and weight, increase of recording power, and ease of adjustment. The Auckland Cycling Club deserves well of the local public, and I hope to see a bumper house at the CityHall to-night and to morrow night, when the Club gives a grand novelty concert. Interspersed among a list of charming items I notice three tableaux, two of which illustrate the start and the finish of the New Zealand Championship Wheel Race, and the other represents a group of Britannia’s wheelmen. Then there are two musical rides, in both of which very difficult figures will be gone through. A bicycle drama without words is also promised, and this interesting novelty will be enacted by Messrs R. A. Dexter and C. Curteis ; Mr Dexter will also give an exhibition of trick riding on his ■bike ’ Besides these attractions Misses E. L. Featon and Kate Fitzpatrick, and Messrs Abel Rowe and Alf_ Bartley- will face the footlights. Mr Young is stage manager, and the rest of the business is in the capable hands of Messrs E. Nordon and W. Haslam. A bicycle cannot be described as a necessary of life, and Mr Commissioner Kerr is of the same opinion. It follows that if an ' infant ’ purchases a bicycle he cannot be compelled by law to pay for it—apparently, he cannot even be made to return the article. The bicycle trunk, a novelty only a few years ago, is now in America a more or less familiar article of baggage. There are some bicycle trunks made to carry two. There is also made for the safe carrying of individual bicycles a wicker trunk which is shaped as is the ordinary bicycle trunk, but made of willow basket work. Then there are made collapsible crates, in which a bicycle may be carried to the seashore or the country. A cycling orchestra is a distinct novelty—American, of course. Its headquarters are at Sioux City. There are eighteen first and second violins who ride on nine tandems ; the four ’cello and four basses require motor cars, because of the bulkiness of their instruments ; the flautists ride on bicycles, and the trumpets and trombones on triplets. Is there to be a ‘ bicycle voice ?’ Are well-bred women becoming loud talkers with an unpleasant quality of voice peculiar to riders of wheels ? There are folks who will answer this question in the affirmative. They assert that wheeling, especially with the mouth open, has a detrimental effect on the vocal chords, and when to this is added the strain to which the voice is subjected in an effort to keep up a conversation while cycling, the danger seems something more than a shadow. The Dunlop Tyre Company, Ltd., secured last year 56 decisions against infringers of their patents, while 11 injunctions were granted and 17 verdicts are pending. No less than 70 other actions are yet to come to trial.