A Record Breaking Bicycle.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 294, 18 June 1897, Page 3

A Record Breaking Bicycle.

o - * We notice in the evening Post issue o 2nd June an advertisement in which thi following statement is made:— " Tha — — Bicyolea and Bicycles lead and have always lead all o hera ii America." The inference to be drawi from this statement, if uncontradicted is that these two makes are preeminent and the others nowhere. We aduaic that tbe two makes men tioned are the oldest in America ; but any export knows that until a few yean ago large numbers of the highest grade English Bioycleß were imported intc America; and this clearly shows the estimation in which American Bicycles were held at that time. It is only recently that American Bicyclea have improved to challenge the world for superiority, Tbe adyent of the Dayton in 1895 marked a distinct advance in the art of cycle construction in America. If Bicycles and Bicycles " lead, and have always led all others in America," why does the Tsar of Russia, who is tbe most expert of all Royal cyclists, choose a Dayton in preference to — — Bicycles and Bicycles, which we are asked to believe are the best in America ? In August, 1896, the Tsar of Russia honoured the Dayton Agent at St. Petersburg with an order for a bicycle for his own uee, and since then he has also ordered a magnificent gold und silverplated Dayton Tandem. This Dayton Tandem was exhibited at the New York Cycle Show prior to its despatch to St. Petersburg. Why is the Dayton more prominent in American records and big races than Bicycles and Bicycles ? You may look in vain for great races and records won on Bicycles and ■ ■■Bicycles during the same time. We will enumerate a few recent per. formancee on Daytone. : — On 23rd February, 1697, at San Francisco. W. E. Becker broke all the world's records from two to five miles, On 25th March, 1897, W. £. Becker broke the world's record for one mile on an indoor track in competition. On 30th March, 1897, he also broke the world's five mile competition record for indoor track. At Washington, Erank Waller won tbe great six day eight hour race, also breaking all previous record* during the race In April, 1897, Steeneen twice won the New Orleans Brassard, and stood first in winning percentage on the Southern racing circuit. In April, 1897, Bchoch won the six day twenty>>four hour race, " go-as-you-please." He was ahead of all tbe world's records for the greater part of the race, and wonld most undoubtedly have beaten Hale's record but for a fall, in which he hurt his knee, and had to content himself with winning the race. He broke 25 world's records in this race. In Australia Walne has worked him self up to the front on a Dayton. Four tinus in succession lately the three fastest men in Australia finished as follows : — Walne (Dayton), first ; Megson (Beeston Huinber), second; Martin (Red Bird), third. Tbe distinguishing colour of tbe Dayton is Mar one. Joseph Darragh, Sole agent for FeildiDg Distriot.