The cyclometers first in memory of the oldtimer were about two and a half inches in diameter and one and three-quarter inches thick, and were attached by a clamp to the axle of the wheel of the high bicycle, where they turned with the wheel eccentrically, the clamp and not the cyclometer being the centre of the circle traversed. The motive power within was a short and heavy pendulum, which of course hung vertical as the whole went around, the case (in effect) revolving while the pendulum remained stationary, thus communicating motion to the hands on the dial.
In one English make a single hand traversed the dial circle, registering up to seventy miles only; another English pattern had four small dials and hands like a gas meter, counting by tens, and registering up to 10,000—whether of miles or of revolutions does not clearly appear. These were all heavy, weighing two or three pounds, and clumsy and costly as well. All had the disadvantage of requiring a dismount for reading, but one pattern was carried in sight, at the top of the fork, and was worked by a wire carried in two bearings on the fork and actuated by a “striker” on a spoke, which hit little arms at the bottom of the wire. The Victor of ten years ago, like the Butcher of an earlier date, hung without revolving, motion being given by a clamp in the centre which turned with the axle. The Butcher was listed at $12; the Victor which had a separate trip dial for 100 miles, was $10; the Victor spoke cyclometer of the same year, at $6, was carried on the spoke and had a projecting arm which struck the fork or other fixed part. The Lakin and the Brooks were also popular types.
VEEDER
CYCLOMETER.
The appearance of the [Standard], in 1894, priced at $2, was the first step toward the popular use of cyclometers, and its great success brought in competing makes, at reduced prices and with a total registry up to 10,000 miles. These were all dial or watch instruments, and served well, but the search for novelty and lightening of even ounces led to the barrel type with the figures of denomination showing side by side after the manner of the old printing press counter, but with the edges and not the sides of the wheels in sight. The United States, introduced in 1894, had the field to itself in this type for a while, but now the dial form has been almost entirely driven out by the tiny barrel, and the makes of the latter may almost be reckoned by the dozen; the most prominent are the [Veeder], United States, Leader, [New Departure], [Twentieth Century], New Era, [Shepard], Burdick, [Trump], Seth Thomas and [Standard]. They hardly exceed a nickel in diameter; they are dainty little trifles, yet strong and effective, and are such triumphs of American ingenuity that there seems nothing left to be done in this line. The usual registry is by miles in four places, up to 9,999, with another place for tenths, yet the Shepard (which is peculiar in using bevel-gears) also shows yards. The United States has a 100 mile trip register, which can be set back to zero, and “carries” each trip forward upon the separate total, making practically two distinct cyclometers in one. The gears for the two meters are run by two pinions solid on one shaft, and the shaft is moved by a worm, therefore while each part of the meter registers independent of the other, both must register exactly alike. They are finished in nickel and antique copper for wheels from twenty to sixty inches in diameter, to register miles, kilometers and Russian versts. The figures used are somewhat larger than those used on other makes of cyclometers, and the clamp, which is curved, throws the meter up and back, close to the fork, out of the way, and protects it from injury.
The [Twentieth Century cyclometer], made by the makers of the [Twentieth Century lamp], is also made to register miles and kilometers.
| SHEPARD BEVEL GEAR CYCLOMETER. | NEW DEPARTURE CYCLOMETER. |
The well-known [Veeder cyclometer] has been very much improved for ’98. The figures are larger, occupying the entire length of the case, and are close to the glass. It registers to 10,000 miles and then repeats. The right-hand ring shows the decimals of the mile divided into tenths. The mechanism of the cyclometer is the same as has been used heretofore, and is a compound differential combination of gears, which are without small parts and yet occupy small space. The clip for attaching the cyclometer to the axle gives a maximum range of adjustment. The spoke pin, which is exceedingly simple and neat, is attached to the spoke by two substantial screws, and cannot be jarred off. They also make a trip cyclometer, which is practically two cyclometers alongside of each other and having two separate dials, the whole construction being double, and is a decided novelty in cyclometer construction.