James Carver
James Carver of the Lace Machine Works, Alfred Street, Nottingham.
Bicycles of the Year, by H. Hewitt Griffin (London Athletic Club, Bicycle Touring Club, &c).: The Hollow Spoke (James Carver, Alfred-Street Mills, Nottingham). - When first introduced in the end of 1877, the hollow spokes- by reason of their great novelty - rapidly gained a wide-spread notoriety; but it was soon seen that merit lay behind the innovation, and the Carver was speedily found among the established favourites, a position it has since then occupied. Although we gave a very full description of this remarkable machine in our issue for 27th April, 1878, there are doubtless many readers who know the machine by name, but are not well versed in its component parts, and, therefore, a recapitulation of them will not be uninteresting. First and foremost the hollow spokes demand attention. Their large size was formerly an objection, but this has been considerably reduced, and the spokes, which were formerly of 8in. gauge, or 166 of an inch otward diameter, are now reduced to 12 gauge, or 125in., the change effecting a great improvement in the appearance. The spokes themselves are formed from fine sheet steel, which is by powerful pressure, rolled up into the form of a tube; the edges are brought into close juxta-position, but scarecely touch. Some riders fancied that moisture would percolate through this narrow slit and cause the spoke to rust away inside. Such is not the case; the insides are coated with the natural "scale" of the metal, which not only strengthens it but effectually prevents it becoming oxidised. As the thin metal of the spoke would not bear a thread being cut on it, a taper plug is brazed into either end for a couple of inches; this is thicker - in fact, of 8in. gauge - so that the portion screwing into the hub has abundant strength; the same remark applies to the other end, which is headed into the rim. The spokes are enormously strong, and will withstand almost any strain that can be thrown on the,. It is almost impossible to bend a short section by means of the hand alone..."[1]
See Also
Sources of Information
- ↑ Report written by H.Hewitt Griffin describing the Hollow Spoke (1880c)