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.