KIMBALL’S VELOCIPEDE.
Messrs. Kimball Brothers & Co., of 110, 112, and 114 Sudbury Street, Boston, secured the first license granted in this country under the Lallement patent, giving them the exclusive right to manufacture in Maine, and the liberty of selling throughout the United States. They have long enjoyed a high reputation for elegant sleighs and carriages, and at their commencement of the manufacture of velocipedes, determined to maintain their reputation in this new and important branch of their business. Their velocipedes are also patterned from those of Messrs. Michaux & Co., with such improvements as are in use with the best manufacturers.
The frames of these machines are of wrought iron and steel, with composition and gun-metal bearings, steel levers, and axles, and superior saddles. Even into the lowest priced machines, they put the best stock in every part. Messrs. Kimball Brothers’ velocipedes vary in price from $75 to $175, according to style and finish. The most expensive are furnished with mud fenders, lamps, and silver-plated brakes. A very fine one can be obtained for $135. Their cheaper bicycles are, without doubt, as good as any in the market. They are light, durable, built of wrought iron, and furnished with springs.
The New England manufacturers of two-wheeled velocipedes, next in prominence to Messrs. Sargent & Kimball, are William H. Brownell & Co., of New Bedford, George E. Elliott, of Providence, and Messrs. Dalzell & Sons, of South Egremont.
William H. Brownell & Co., of New Bedford, manufacture only the cheaper kind of velocipedes. The frame or reach, which curves over the rear wheel, is built of wrought iron. The machine is without springs or metal gearings. This is used almost exclusively in the New England schools and rinks; and for the use of the beginner, or on smooth floors, gives merited satisfaction. It is not as suitable for the road, or as easy for the rider, as the more expensive machines, which are furnished with springs, brakes, and rests for the feet. But for those who wish to have a bicycle, with as small an expenditure as possible, this machine will answer as well as any that we know. It is firm and durable, moderately light, and does not get easily out of repair.
Messrs. Brownell & Co. have sold $40,000 worth of machines in the last three months, and the demand is far greater than the supply. They are as heavily engaged in the business as any manufacturers in the country. The price varies from $70 to $90. A good machine of Mr. Brownell’s make can be obtained for $75.
George C. Elliott, of Providence, has purchased a license under the Lallement patent, for the exclusive manufacture of the two-wheeled velocipede in Rhode Island. He combines the French machine with the usual American improvements. The prices are the same as are demanded for other good machines.
Those who have used Mr. Elliott’s bicycles claim that they are the equal of any manufactured.
Messrs. Dalzell & Sons, of South Egremont, Massachusetts, manufacture a velocipede which has many of the merits of that of the Wood Brothers. Their velocipede works are at Hudson, N. Y., and there is a steadily increasing demand for their machines. The prices vary from $125 to $150.
G. F. Perkins & Co., of Haydenville, Mass., advertise to furnish a velocipede with steel springs for $40. We do not know that their machine has been fairly tested. We have never seen it in use, and are unable to speak of its merits.
Among the latest improved machines, is one manufactured by Messrs. Tomlinson, Demarest, & Co., No. 620 Broadway, New York. It is called the “Improved American Velocipede,” and differs from styles best known to the public in important respects. It is the recipient of many encomiums from those who have learned to ride it.
The iron arms, between which the front wheel is held, are inclined back at an angle of forty-five degrees from the perpendicular, which inclination brings the seat in such a relative position to the fore wheel, that a man of medium height can, with his feet, reach the treadles of one of these velocipedes, the front wheel of which is forty-five inches in diameter, with as much ease as he can those of the ordinary velocipede, the fore wheel of which is of a diameter seven or eight inches smaller. This peculiarity gives likewise great facility in describing sharp curves and circles of small diameter, the body being inclined in the direction in which the rider wishes to propel himself, and in the direction in which the driving wheel is inclined. Those who have become expert in the use of this new machine, claim that the movement of the body in propelling and guiding it, is more nearly analogous to that of skating, than is employed in controlling the ordinary bicycle. Indeed, they claim that it can be guided by the mere inclination of the body without perceptibly varying the pressure upon the handles to the one side or the other.
The peculiar rakish arrangement of the standard, prevents the usual jar to the guiding arms in going over rough ground and pavements, and allows the wheel to turn without soiling the pantaloons. It is claimed that this machine can be driven at great speed, and up steep grades.
Messrs. Pearsall Brothers, of New York, have patented a bicycle which is so constructed that the rear wheel is used as a guiding wheel. This machine will turn a quick corner, and can be ridden rapidly. Its price is $125.
Stephen W. Smith, of 90 William Street, New York, manufactures a velocipede for boys, with a guiding wheel twenty inches in diameter, for $25. The saddle of this machine is so wide that but little balancing power is requisite, and any child can easily learn to ride it.