This Department is conducted in the interest of Bicyclers, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject. Our maps and tours contain much valuable data kindly supplied from the official maps and road-books of the League of American Wheelmen. Recognizing the value of the work being done by the L.A.W., the Editor will be pleased to furnish subscribers with membership blanks and information so far as possible.
Before we take up the maps again a word should be said concerning the purchase of a wheel for the ensuing year. Just at this time every bicyclist is longing for a $100 '96 wheel, and looking with disgust on his '95 or '94 machine, which has served him many a time, and carried him over many a good mile. Of course the '96 is better than the same make of '95. That is required of manufacturers if they wish to keep up with the best things of the time. There are certain improvements this year in bearings and tubes, in increasing the easy running of one, and strengthening without adding to the weight of the other; but in spite of those improvements, this year for the first time there have been no great changes in wheels. If you have a '95 wheel, therefore, which has run about a 1000 miles, two courses are open to you. You may be able to get $50 for it, and by putting another $50 with that, buy a new one; or you can spend ten or fifteen dollars on the '95 wheel and have a bicycle practically as good as can be obtained for ordinary use. If you are riding bicycle-races, or going in for long-distance records and thousand-mile tours, it will unquestionably pay you to get what you can for the old machine, and buy a new one of the highest price. On the other hand, if you seldom do more than ten to twenty miles a day once or twice a week, or if you use it for riding to and from the railroad station each day, or for going to and returning from school, the one you have already used a year, if it has been well cared for, will meet every requirement as fully as the new bicycle could. Indeed, a '95 or '96 bicycle of good make ought to keep in good condition with such use for three or four years without requiring more than five or ten dollars a year. There are cases to-day of '92 and '93 wheels which run as well as many '95 bicycles, and which have had constant use for three or four years. Naturally they are heavier, and the running gear is not as perfect as in the later wheels, but this year the improvements are so insignificant, compared with those of past years, that '96 and '95 wheels are not different in important details. In a place like New York city, or Chicago, or Philadelphia, or Boston, one can pick up a good wheel for half price which will be sure to last him a year without expense or annoyance. Somebody with a superfluity of money is willing to let his wheel go at any price in order to have an excuse for buying a new one; and such a man usually gives a bicycle a minimum amount of use.
In purchasing such a second-hand bicycle several important points should be noted. In the first place, and most important of all, take the bearings of front, back, and sprocket wheels apart and see if the balls are worn. Put them in place and note if they "rattle round" more than they should. Here is the first place where a bicycle begins to lose its usefulness. If the bearings are worn, either from use or lack of care in keeping dirt out, the wheel will never again run easily. Next look closely at the pedals, not only at the bearings in them, but at the condition of them generally. They get a large amount of wear and tear, and they strike obstacles which come in the way of the bicyclist more often than any other part of the wheel. From this they are apt to be imperceptibly bent in one place or another, which will account for an otherwise inexplicable difficulty in sending the wheel ahead. Then look at the tires carefully. If they have had several punctures you might as well pay out the money at once to get new ones as to spend it in piecemeal, at great inconvenience to your riding because of frequent punctures. Sometimes, too, the rubber is not of the best grade, and in a year will become dried and likely to crack. Sometimes the owner has not been careful to keep the tires well filled with air, and the rim of the wheel cuts partly through them, making them likely to burst at that point. Aside from these three important points, with the addition of sprocket chain and spokes, the faults of a wheel will show themselves.
This Department is conducted in the interest of Girls and Young Women, and the Editor will be pleased to answer any question on the subject so far as possible. Correspondents should address Editor.
The quality of one's voice in conversation has much to do with the pleasure listeners find in their part of the exercise. "A low voice," says Shakespeare, "is an excellent thing in woman." I agree with him, adding on my part the adjective "clear." A low mumbling voice is not agreeable, but when a voice has pleasant modulations, is low-toned, sweet, and distinct, it is as delightful to hear it in speech as in song.