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Bicycles and Bicycling

IN the years 1868 and 1869 the Parisians were attacked by a velocipede mania. Fifty years before the Dandy-horse, as it was called, had been introduced, and in the course of half a century had been forgotten save by some stray inventor, who dreamt of a machine, light and inexpensive, which would enable man to rival the speed and endurance of a horse on the common roads. In 1852 this notion found its way into the patent office of America, when an elaborate and somewhat complicated form of bicycle was patented. This invention gave a fresh impetus to velocipede making, and a new era was inaugurated. It is somewhat remarkable that this bicycle called the "Cantering Propeller" embodied the great principle of having a large driving wheel in front and a small supporting wheel behind. It, however, lost much power, and was faulty in construction, for it threw the greater portion of the weight of the rider on the smaller hind wheel. In a little work on the subject of Bicycles(Velocipedes, Bicycles, and Tricycles; How to Make and How to Use Them. Price 1s. London. Routledge and Sons.) this principle is pointed out, as dictated by the experience of all velocipedists, and those bicycles which have ecome the most popular are those in which this principle is most apparent. It is a singular fact that the bicycle of 1869 is now as a matter of fact extinct. It is superseded by a lighter, more elegant, and swifter machine formed entirely of metal, and known as the "Spider Bicycle." The progress from the cumbersome wooden-wheeled French and American Bicycle has been gradual, but when once wire was used instead of wood for spokes, iron felloes followed as a matter of course, and paved the way for india-rubber tires, which made the machines almost noiseless. Spider bicycles are manufactured by several makers, who have introduced improvements and modifications of their own; but amongst Spider bycicles the one known as the "Ariel" occupies a foremost place because it is fitted by lever tension wheels which secure the utmost rigidity consistent with safety, and enables the rider to mount even a steep elevation with ease. This tension is secured by a lever rod attached to the hub of the wheel, and which permits the spokes to be lightened to any desirable extent. This contrivance has been in a great measure superseded by the "patent tangent" bicycle made by the same firm(Messrs. Haynes and Jefferies of Coventry), where this rigidity is secured by other and simpler means. By arranging the spokes in a tangent form, thus:--each spoke acts as lever and secures firmness of construction without any further attachment of levers. Both these wheels are furnished with solid india rubber tires cemented into the V shaped steel felloes. A glance at a sketch of these patent bicycles of the "Spider" type will afford a good idea of their construction. We see in these the driving wheel of a large size, and the saddle for the rider placed as near the centre of gravity as possible, whilst the hind wheel is considerably reduced in size and follows close behind. Its only use being to balance the rider and afford a support to the backbone on which the spring of the saddle is allowed to move on a roller and thus diminish the effect of an uneven road. Above the periphery of the hind wheel a small step is fixed which renders the rider independent of help when mounting his iron horse. The saddle, rudder, and driving pedals can all be adjusted to the height and weight of the rider and the weight to be carried. The prices vary from ten guineas to pound 23 10s. according to size and finish.

The first thing a young bicycle rider has to do is to inform the manufacturer of his height, and they will furnish him with a bicycle according to the following scale:-- A rider 4 feet 10 inches requires a driving wheel of 40 inches. A rider 5 feet 0 inches requires a driving wheel of 42 inches. A rider 5 feet 2 inches requires a driving wheel of 44 inches. A rider 5 feet 4 inches requires a driving wheel of 46 inches. A rider 5 feet 6 inches requires a driving wheel of 48 inches. A rider 5 feet 8 inches requires a driving wheel of 50 inches. A rider 5 feet 8 inches requires a driving wheel of 52 inches. A rider 5 feet 10 inches requires a driving wheel of 54 inches. A rider 6 feet 11 inches requires a driving wheel of 56 inches. A rider 6 feet 0 inches requires a driving wheel of 58 inches. A rider 6 feet 2 inches requires a driving wheel of 60 inches.

The next and most important event is, to ride it. To do this with ease and grace at first is, of course, impossible. The best plan of practice is to place the bicycle on the floor of a large room, and place it upright, holding the steering handles, or rudder as it has come to be called; by the hands walk with it several times round the room; when perfect familiarity is obtained of its movements and mode of steering, the rider may mount into the saddle by the aid of the step, and the assistance of a quick-witted and athletic friend. The pedals may be adjusted to the feet, and in a first-class machine like the Ariel the pedals are so arranged that they always present a flat and soft surface to the ball or toe of the foot. When the pedals are nicely adjusted, the first effort will be to maintain a balance, and in doing this "a friend in need is a friend indeed." If the handle is gripped firmly, after the first hour or two there will be but little need for the assistance of a friend. Some of the best riders have dispensed with the strong arm of an assistant, but it gives confidence to the young rider to know that help is near. It is best to practice on a level floor, and then, when able to maintain a good seat, to try a run down a gentle incline, always letting his feet follow the motion of the pedals until used to the motion. Then in full confidence as to his seat and his command of the machine, he may venture on to the roads and practice speed and endurance. It is desirable that the machine should be mounted with ease and grace. This will require practice, and is now rendered much easier than at first by the addition of the step. Before the Spider bicycles were introduced forty miles a day was thought an extraordinary day's work; now one hundred and fifty have been accomplished, and one of the best riders of the Ariel talks of emulating the famous ride from London to York, 200 miles, without any other stoppage than for refreshments.