T-Mar

While early 1890s bicycle sales were trending upwards, due the innovations of safety bicycles with chain drive rear wheels and pneumatic tyres, the bicycle boom didn't arrive until the mid-1890s. A recession hit the USA in 1893 and bicycles were one a the few products that were selling well. As a result, the following years saw an large increase in the number of bicycle companies, with many new companies and some companies diversifying or shifting to bicycle manufacture. This influx increased volume and competition, driving down prices and increasing sales, until the market was saturated. While reliable hard industry statistics are difficult to obtain, the 1890 bicycle boom is generally considered to be circa 1894-1897. By this time the pneumatic tyred safety bicycle was firmly entrenched and hard or cushioned ordinaries were rarities.