SARGENT VELOCIPEDE.
Wm. P. Sargent & Co., of 155 Tremont Street, Boston, have many excellent facilities, in connection with their extensive works for the construction of pleasure carriages, for the manufacture of velocipedes. They foresaw the furore that would arise in this country before its commencement, and made early preparations to engage largely in the manufacture of the Parisian novelty.
Their machines are made upon the French plan, with all the American improvements, in form, material, and thoroughness of construction. They are very similar to those made by the Wood Brothers, but have important merits of their own. The hind wheel turns on the axle bar, preventing the friction upon the bearing, as in other machines in which the axle turns with the wheel. The neck of the machine is wrought in one piece, and the head of the swivel in the neck is of wrought iron, square in shape. The fork of the steering bar is of wrought iron also, instead of the cast brass usually used. This makes a delicate part of the machine very durable, for it is a rule in mechanics that one metal will act upon itself with less friction than upon another kind of metal. The best workmen are employed and the best material used. The tires and axles are of the finest steel, and the bearings of the finest gun-metal. The saddle is adjustable and can be readily moved backward or forward.
Messrs. Sargent & Co. use both the three-sided beveled and the swing treadle, either of which always present a surface to the foot, so that after mounting or removing the foot temporarily, no time is lost in replacing it.
They have made every effort to construct a light, noiseless, steady-running, completely-finished, and perfect machine. Their price is from $110 to $150.
Messrs. Sargent & Co. also manufacture a cheaper machine, without springs, much like those manufactured by Mr. Brownell of New Bedford. This machine is sold for $55, and is used with satisfaction in halls and rinks.
Mr. Sargent has on hand in his warerooms a large assortment of machines of other manufacturers, including those of Wood Brothers, Mercer & Monod, and Pickering & Davis.