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♦ KNOWLEDGE . 



[Feb. 13, 1885. 



readers to undertake the systematic study of this particular 

 branch of natural history ; it luay be confidently recom- 

 mended as being an attractive study, and affording plenty of 

 .scope for deep and careful thought, as well as for pains- 

 taking and accui'ate observations, which are still much 

 needed. 



TRICYCLES IN 18 8 5. 



By John Bkowniki;. 



{Chairman of the London Tricycle Chd>.) 

 THE STANLEY SHOW. 



IN spite of the defection of a number of the principal 

 makers, this year's Great Tricycle Exhibition must be 

 pronounced a complete success. The arrangements were 

 so good, that each exhibitor's machines were equally well 

 shown. The leading firm among those who stood out were 

 as well represented as if they had exhibited their machines 

 themselves. Never, on any previous occasion, have the 

 machines been seen to equal advantage. I recollect asking 

 a lady friend what she had seen at a microscopic soiree. 

 " Ob," she replied, cheerfully, " such a lot of people looking 

 through microscopes ! " At several shows, owing to the 

 machines being put in nooks and corners, I have frequently 

 seen a lot of people looking at tricycles without being 

 able to look at them myself. This was not so at the 

 " Wheelerie"." It was the sulyect of constant remark 

 that you had only to walk round the building to see every- 

 thing in it. 



Stailey aud SiiUou's Safety Bicycle. 



Space cannot be spared in Knowledge for even a list of 

 the tricycles and accessories e.xhibited — 284 in number. I 

 i-hall notice, therefore, only those exhibits which show 

 iri"enuity, novelty of design, or excellent workmansiiip. 



First, then, I would specially note Pausey's Pioneer 

 Direct-Steering Tricycle. This machine has two 35in. 

 driving-wheels, geared up to 51 in., and a 20-in. front- 

 steering wheel, tangent wheels without laced spokes, double- 

 driving arrangement, and band-break. The machine steers 

 like a bicycle, with a cross-steering bar, which can be used 

 at pleasu'-e with either hand or both. The inventor states 

 tliat the vibration is less than that of machines with large 

 wheels. This is due to the (act that the rider is placed 



midway between the three wheels. The weight of the 

 machine is stated as 48 lb., and I should suppose this to be 

 about correct, as I found I could lift it very easily well off 

 the ground with my left hand. 



This is juat .such a tricycle as I have been urging the 

 makers to bring out for the last year or two. 



The same maker has a good safety bicycle on a similar 

 plan ; but I consider the most original and be.^t safety 

 bicycle exhibited is Starley & Sutton's, of which I give an 

 illustration. 



From this it will be seen that the hind wheel, which is 

 the driving-wheel, is nearly the same .size as the front 

 wheel, and the sitter is midway between then\ This 

 machine is safe, is very superior to most safety bicycles, 

 and must have the minimum of vibration for small wheels. 

 It is almost unnecessary to say that the workmanship is all 

 that could be desired. 



Starley Bros., of "Salvo" fame, make a very fine 

 display. I would mention particularly their Salvo Tandem, 

 elegant in design and exquisite in workmanship ; their 

 two-track Special Salvo; also their youths' tricycle, with 

 40-inch driving-wheel, a double-driver, with band-break. 

 This machine would carry twelve stone safely. At the 

 price, £1'2. 10s., it is the cheapest machine I have ever 

 seen. 



Ruoker's exhibits are nearly all novelties. That which 

 struck me most was a new direct-action steering arrange- 

 ment for a front-steering tricycle. A pair of bicycle 

 handles in front of the rider are attached by a long rod, at 

 an angle of forty-five degrees, direct to the top of the 

 spindle of the steering-wheel by a Hook's joint. Tlie steering 

 is effected by raising or lowering one of the handles, the 

 position of the rod, which works in a roller, remaining 

 unchanged. The upper end of the rod is supported on a 

 long, flexible, flat spring, which prevents the vibration of 

 the front-wheel from being communicated to the rider. 



I shall have this steering arrangement adapted to my 

 two-chain, central geared Rucker, which is the fastest 

 machine I have ; and when I have tried it well, I will 

 report upon it further. 



The principal novelty in machines shown by Rucker is 

 a Safety Tandem Bicycle, in which one rider sits in front 

 of the small wheel and one behind it, on an exactly similar 

 plan to the Humber Tandem Tricycle. Both drivers work 

 by means of one chain on a driving-wheel, about 30 in. to 

 38 in. diameter. The machine should be fast and safe, and 

 it certainly is compact, light, and strong. 



BurJesa's Storliug " Queeu " Front-steering Tricycle. 



Adam Burdess exhibited a capital front-steerer, fitted 

 with patent screw arrangement for putting on the break 



