Fifth—By reason of its construction, it is practically noiseless, the most important feature to cyclists.
Sixth—It transforms the bicycle from an article of luxury useable only under certain conditions, to a practical vehicle useable under every condition of the road and weather.
Seventh—It has been found of great value by military cyclists, as it enables troops to move with twice the celerity possible under the ordinary open chain, to say nothing of the time saved in not having to clean the gear.
RACYCLE GEAR CASE.
At the ’97 Cycle Show, held in Chicago, an American gear case was exhibited for the first time, and this exhibit was noted with a great deal of satisfaction by all the mechanical writers of the cycle trade press, who had long labored, written and talked a great deal for this desirable accessory. Among the gear cases exhibited at Chicago at that time was one invented by [W. H. Frost] of New York City; another by S. D. Childs & Co., and another by H. Lauter of Indianapolis. The makers of the Ben Hur showed a model fitted with what they called the Wainwright gear case. The Stearns Company also had a gear case attached to one of their models, and a Falcon exhibited was also provided with one. The makers of the Cleveland showed a gear case of their own production, and a Wolff-American was shown fitted with a Blumel celluloid gear case, but this last was of English manufacture. Since that time a careful census of all the catalogues that the makers have sent out this year shows that nearly every cycle maker of prominence has arranged sufficient clearance at the crank shaft and rear wheel so that a gear case of some kind can be fitted to it, and a few of the makers are turning out gear cases of their own, the notable ones being the makers of the [Racycle], [Rambler], [Cleveland], Humber and Aluminum, and there are three makers of gear cases who supply them to the trade, these being known as the Frost, Centliver and [Safety gear cases].
LEADING ’98 GEAR CASES.
The [Rambler case] offers practically all that is claimed for a chainless wheel with enclosed gear, with none of its objections and uncertainties. It is absolutely mud and dust proof, and is one of the neatest, least obtrusive and most practical of all gear cases we have seen, being easily attached and detached. It is made of cold rolled drawing steel, and is light and noiseless. All seams are locked and no rivets are used. The entire chain is enclosed, as are also the front sprocket teeth. The centre and arms of the front sprocket are not covered, but the dust is excluded from the front sprocket teeth, and chain passing over them, by two large felt washers (much like those used in bearings, only larger) placed one on either side of the sprocket. The rear axle nut may be loosened, and the chain adjusted without disturbing the case.