The Cycle Age and Trade Review, Vol 24, No 109
Articles in this issue
- The American Bicycle Company formally notified the trade of its ownership of the Smith-Owen bottom bracket patent and warned that manufacturing or selling bicycles with infringing brackets was actionable, though independent makers universally refused the proposed one-dollar-per-bracket royalty as absurd given that the part sold for less than twenty-five cents.
- Opinion in the trade was divided on whether the A.B.C. would actually bring suit over the bottom bracket patent, with some believing the company's legal advisers preferred to avoid a fight given that veteran makers had evidence the patent had been anticipated by prior British designs.
- Sears, Roebuck and Co. began advertising in Australian cycling papers for agents in every town to sell their low-priced bicycles direct from Chicago, alarming local trade members who responded by forming the Victorian Cycle Board of Trade for mutual protection.
- A Stockholm correspondent warned that shipments of cheap job-lot American bicycles were damaging the American product's reputation in Sweden, Denmark, and Germany, while the standard machines of reputable American makers continued to be well regarded and were widely used as models by European manufacturers.
- The editors observed that independent bicycle makers were increasingly unafraid of the American Bicycle Company trust and were conducting their 1900 business with confidence, citing a growing belief that quality and price competition from outside the combine was proving more effective than anti-trust sentiment alone.
- The National Cycle and Automobile Co., the Canadian arm of the American Bicycle Company, announced it would be based in Hamilton, Ontario, leasing temporary space in the old Wanzer building while a permanent factory site was selected.
- Trade notes reported the Cable Cycle Co. installing an electric lighting system, the Columbia Mfg. Co. enlarging its tubing department, a new firm incorporating in Parkersburg to make bicycles and automobiles, and several other short business items from across the industry.
- The shift in machine shop practice away from hand-forged cutting tools toward commercial tool holders was explained, with three recently introduced models described and illustrated, along with a discussion of roller pin gear-cutting machinery becoming standard in well-equipped bicycle component factories.
- New patents reviewed included a bicycle sail device for use on country roads in a favorable wind, a novel coaster-brake crank hanger combining freewheeling with direct drive, and an adjustable sun shield for shading riders' eyes during sunny conditions.
- The Crowdus Company of Chicago was described as producing innovative electric vehicles incorporating entirely original design features, including a distinctive control arrangement and novel wheel geometry, while a spontaneous combustion motor from a French inventor was also noted.
- The New Departure Bell Co.'s coaster and back-pedaling brake hub was distinguished from competitors by its ability to allow the bicycle to be trundled either backward or forward with equal ease whether the brake mechanism was engaged or not, an advantage that proved practically significant for riders parking their machines.
- The League of American Wheelmen's president was canvassing eastern cities to shore up political support ahead of national assembly elections, while observers predicted the assembly would make a final attempt at a divided racing-control scheme that most trade observers considered impractical.
- The close of the indoor Madison Square Garden season featured American sprinter Bliss defeating the fast French rider Taylor in a one-hour match race, with Arthur Ross winning the paced match over Ray Duer and Eaton and Meyers meeting in supporting events before a large crowd.