The Bicycling World, Vol 12, No 8
Articles in this issue
- Overman Wheel Company runs its Victor race-for-popular-favor headline in the Christmas issue, reiterating that Victors are most ridden by old and experienced riders.
- Short listings from Boston, Philadelphia, Newark, and Chicago covering adhesive tire tape, Paradox oiler, bicycle shoes, Burley saddle, Home Exerciser, Lamson luggage carrier, and Murray's eastern agency for American bicycles.
- Llewellyn H. Johnson promotes the Humber Tandem and Automatic Steerer for Christmas purchase from his New York branch at 369 Broadway, emphasising guaranteed strength and unequalled beauty of design.
- H.B. Smith Machine Co. promotes the American Star as safe from headers, with continuous motion and no dead centres, with new flat-seated tires and square-grooved rims that will not buckle.
- Overman Wheel Company announces it has purchased the US patent for the Acme Bicycle Stand, which holds a bicycle either side up for easy cleaning, describing it as the only perfect device of its kind.
- A notice at 500 Tremont Street, Boston invites riders to send complete descriptions and lowest prices for any bicycle or tricycle they wish to sell for immediate cash.
- The Bicycling World office lists its full range of cycling publications available by mail including Club Songs, the tricycle health guide, Cortis's training book, Safety Indispensable, and Bicycling News.
- E.C. Hodges and Co. promote Gordon Stables's health book covering dyspepsia, diet, skin care, bathing, drunkenness, road drinks, training advice, and specific chapters for lady cyclists, available by mail.
- The Christmas editorial reports on the National Cyclists' Union meeting of December 10, which rejected the proposal to recognise records made on Sundays and saw J.R. Hogg withdraw his motion to abolish the amateur-professional distinction entirely.
- Daisie's Christmas column reflects on the season of goodwill, the pleasures and frustrations of winter cycling, and her New Year wishes for women riders, written in her characteristic warm and witty style.
- A proposed four-stage touring route from Niagara Falls to Norfolk, Virginia, described as the Big Four Tour for 1886, inviting clubs along the route to organize hospitality and plan a major inter-city cycling excursion.
- A full report of the Massachusetts Bicycle Club's carnival at Mechanics' Fair Building, reproduced from Bicycling News, describing the costume parade, fancy riding exhibitions by Wilmot, a bicycle club drill by the Brockton City Bicycle Club, polo on Star bicycles, and obstacle races, with the full prize list.
- The second instalment of the illustrated velocipede patent series, featuring cuts of a unicycle, a tandem propelled from both ends, a rocking-chair powered machine, a lever-operated bicycle, and a foot-sleeve grinding machine, all drawn from U.S. Patent Office records.
- IxiON describes his experiment substituting a 24-tooth chainwheel on a 36-inch Cripper racing tricycle to achieve 86.4-inch effective gearing, finding it climbed hills and reached high speeds with less effort than expected, though the ability to sprint from a standing start was lost.
- Faed writes from London with an outlook on the 1886 cycling season, noting that long cranks and safety bicycles are attracting more attention, the Rover is proving itself on the road, and new machines from leading makers are expected to revive trade after a slow year.
- A description of Bown's new bottom bracket bearing design, which offers improved adjustment and reduced friction compared to existing designs, and is being fitted to several leading makes for the 1886 season.
- A review of the new Whippet sprung tricycle, describing its spring frame construction designed to absorb road shock, the claimed comfort advantages over rigid machines, and the initial reaction from riders who have tried it.
- A selection of holiday correspondence including J. Parke Street on knee injuries from cycling, a letter objecting to the editor's spelling of 'Gaul,' M.D. on long cranks and physiology, L.H. Johnson on the lever-steering Humber, J.S. Dean on mixed touring, and a defence of McCurdy's road record.