HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: harry@cv.hp.com (Harry Phinney)
Subject: Re: Hybrid Bikes?
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Company, Corvallis, Oregon USA
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL4
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1992 19:03:55 GMT

weird@cbnewsf.cb.att.com (john.t.erhardt) writes:
: It really annoys me when people say they don't want a road bike because
: it won't handle the roads they ride on.  Cyclocross riders have been
: doing it all along.

This is true as far as it goes, but it should be noted that cyclocross
rules allow bike changes.  In severe conditions the top riders will
change bikes many times during a race.  This allows their pit crew to
repair damage and/or remove built up mud from the bikes.  The pit can
also replace damaged wheels.  This sort of support is not allowed in
mountain bike racing, and is not generally available in the woods around
here :-) It is also true that mountain bikes will generally exhibit a
significant speed advantage over cyclocross bikes on "technical"
descents given riders of equivalent skill.

: If you can't handle some gravel or dirt with
: 700x20 or 23 tires then you don't know how to ride your bike. 

It's not always a matter of the rider handling the terrain.  Relatively
small tires cannot withstand fast descents on roads with large crushed
rock (common in this area).  Tires with less than a 32 mm or 35 mm cross
section will pinch flat very quickly.  Even with 35 mm tires one must at
times ride conservatively to avoid flats.  I feel this is the primary
advantage of a mountain bike.  That said, I will admit that I prefer
riding a road bike with fatter than normal tires over riding a mountain
bike.

: P.S. I'm not sure what equipment cyclocross riders use, since I'm never
: done a cyclocross race, but I can find out and let you all know.

If anyone really cares, I am sure those of us who have ridden in
cyclocross races could describe the equipment we've used.  I'm not
convinced it would significantly benefit anyone other than prospective
cyclocross riders.

Harry Phinney   harry@hp-pcd.cv.hp.com
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
From: luse@gdwest.gd.com (Stephen A. Luse)
Subject: Re: Cycling Gives Me A Neck Ache -- Recommendations??
Organization: General Dynamics Corp.
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1992 20:35:34 GMT

In article <1684FBB38.M23231@mwvm.mitre.org> M23231@mwvm.mitre.org writes:
>>>>I have a problem that is interfering with my enjoyment of cycling. If
>>>>I cycle for more than about 2 hours, my neck and (esp) shoulder muscles
>>>>start to KILL me!! And for the next several days, I have to take anti-
>>>>inflammatories and pain killers. Not good!!!
>>>>
>>>>I have a Diamondback Ascent EX with no "upgrades" on it.
>>>>
>>>*************
>>>Try a recumbent. They are meant for people who have these problems!
>>>Not only that, but they're really *fun*.
>>>*************
>>>**************
>>>I repeat--get a recumbent. They're *wonderful*!!!!!
>>>**************
>>
>>WHAT'S A RECUMBENT?
>>
>>                                        Sami Mitra
>A recumbent is a bicycle on which you ride in a supine position. It is like
>sitting in an easy chair--maybe a recliner--pedaling away with your neck in a n
>ormal position instead of cocked backwards straining to see the road ahead. You
>sit cradled in a sort of mesh bucket seat with your feet about in line with you
>r waist height-wise. See the FAQ for more about them. It sounds like your best
>solution to me.
> 

Gosh, you guys!  I don't think I've ever seen a recumbent that can be used
for mountain/trail riding.  Isn't this why some people use mountain bikes?

I also have a Diamondback Ascent EX, and had similar problems when
I first got it. I replaced the stock stem with a different one that
raised the bars by an inch and a half, but that didn't completly
eliminate my problem.  I then discoverd that an improvment in my riding 
technique was the true solution. I learned to relax more, not to
shrug so much, and lighten my grip. I now only experience the problem
on long rides with lots of rough high speed downhills where I'm holding 
on for dear life!

                                       Stephen Luse
				       luse@gdwest.gd.com
From: ftgcdj@vax.oxford.ac.uk
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
Subject: Re: ADVI*C*E (sp) sought...etc
Date: 3 Sep 92 11:58:13 GMT
Organization: Oxford University VAX 6620

With all this bother about your wife not wearing a helmet and her speed (or
lack of it), one question has to be posed.

Does your wife actually *enjoy* cycling?

-------
Charles 

ftgcdj@uk.ac.oxford.vax
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
From: MEDELMA@cms.cc.wayne.edu (Michael Edelman)
Subject: Re: Brake squeal! Auggghhh!
Organization: Wayne State University, C&IT
Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1992 19:27:20 GMT

In article <17gic2INN6u2@wyatt.ksu.ksu.edu>
sdoran@wyatt.ksu.ksu.edu (Steven Marcotte) writes:
 
>
>
>  I've got Trek 850 that has a very distinct problem.  When ever I apply
>the back brake, even slightly, it makes a very loud squealing.  What can
>I do to fix this?  Its driving me crazy.
>
>Steven Marcotte
>sdoran@matt.ksu.ksu.edu
 
Brake pads should be adjusted so that they "toe in" slightly- i.e., the
leading edge of the brake pad should contact the rim first. Very little
is needed. A slight bend applied with pliers should solve your problem.
 
    --mike
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
From: tlt38517@uxa.cso.uiuc.edu (Terry Thiel)
Subject: Re: Real chamois shorts (WAS Re: Saddle sores)
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Distribution: rec.bicycles.misc
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1992 20:26:55 GMT


>|> Thus spoke the keyboard of hoppe@cs.cornell.edu (Bruce E. Hoppe):
>|> >My best cure for chronic saddle sores was to use real chamois shorts,
>|> 
>|> exist, or do they belong to the past?

>'89, so they may have disappeared since then.  More recently, in '91 I
>purchased a pair of Giordana real chamois shorts -- these were a pretty
>deluxe pair of shorts, with amazingly stretchy lycra.

>was easy to find if you wanted it.  (Easier than, say, finding spare parts
>for 1984 Dura-Ace AX components :)
About the only real chamois shorts I've seen recently are Assos shorts which aresold by Branford Bike and some mail order places in Velo-News.  They are very
expensive but well worth it in my opinion.  I've been wearing a pair of
Assos bib shorts since 1985 and they are still in almost new condition!
I think Branford also has a house brand real leather short.  Anybody
tried these?
-Terry
.


Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
From: tomk@netcom.com (Thomas H. Kunich)
Subject: Re: Chainring bolt patterns (WAS: Crank arm length)
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 92 23:12:55 GMT
Organization: Netcom - Online Communication Services (408 241-9760 guest)

In article <1992Aug28.201903.10252@beaver.cs.washington.edu> pardo@cs.washington.edu (David Keppel) writes:
>If my memory serves me correctly, he might have _really really real_
>cranks: Stronglight cottered steel cranks, vintage 50's and early 60's,
>that only take rings down to 47T.  The one I used to ride had a 14-21
>rear cogset.

If memory serves, Eddy Merkx rode a double chain ring with 52-48
and a four speed freewheel with two 14's and two 17's. This was so
he could have a 14 and a 17 in both rings without cross chaining.

Maybe Jobst is correct and all we need is a single speed bike
like Velocio advised. Shifting is for sissies. So I ain't macho.


From: mjs@hpfcso.FC.HP.COM (Marc Sabatella)
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1992 17:11:08 GMT
Subject: Re: Re: Cycling in the buff - Was: My Pants Leg is Dying...
Organization: Hewlett-Packard, Fort Collins, CO, USA
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc

In rec.bicycles.misc, ellisond@rtsg.mot.com (Dell H. Ellison) writes:

> cmeadows@nyx.cs.du.edu (Chris Meadows) writes:
> >..my right pants leg, to be specific.  I have a Trek 800 City/Trail 
> >Bike, and I ride it all the time.  Unfortunately, the chain and   
> >sprocket keeps catching and chewing up my right pants legs.  Is there
> >anything I can do to prevent this?
> 
> When I was a kid, we used to use a rubber band of course.
> (I was a paper boy.)

But now they have facny velcro straps with reflective bands on them - probably
a good idea at night in any case.

--------------
Marc Sabatella
marc@hpmonk.fc.hp.com
From: Terri_Watson@cs.cmu.edu (Elfling)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
Subject: Re: Hints on commuting by bike?
Date: 27 Aug 92 14:52:58 GMT
Organization: Carnegie Mellon School of Computer Science

Well, this isn't a sol'n for many people I know, but I get to solve
the not-arrive-hot-and-sweaty problem in a trivial fashion.

I live uphill from where I work.  It is (almost) the case that I can
walk out my door, get on the bike and coast all the way to work.
(Actually there are a couple of hills in the way, but the total
elevation change is negative.)  I am cool to cold (depending on
weather) when I arrive.

Of course going home at the end of a long tiring day is some work....

.Terri

PS -- As you might have guessed, the total distance is short enough
that I wouldn't be hot from cycling even were it flat.  :>
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
From: jens@seas.gwu.edu (Jens Johansen)
Subject: Re: Bicycle polo?
Organization: George Washington University
Date: Sun, 30 Aug 1992 15:39:04 GMT

In article <1992Aug28.232135.17174@reed.edu> nelson@reed.edu (Nelson Minar) writes:
>does anyone have any information on playing polo on a bicycle?
>
>Anyone have any rules, or tips on how to play? Does anyone play polo
>on bicycles seriously?
>

Well, I don't know whether you'd call it seriously, but I've been messing
about with the idea for some time now.  It all came about when I "inherited"
a very short (but real) polo stick from a friend, along with some tips on
how the real came is played.  I'm working on a decent set of rules at the
moment, but it'll be tough to try them out if I ever finish them, because
Washington is absolutely devoid of other people with short polo sticks.

I did try it out with a friend the other day, and I agree that the more
maneuverable the bike, the better.  We used a softball, which was a mistake!
Darned things can do terrific damage to one's spokes if it ever hits the
wheels.  Something about the size of a softball, but less bouncy and heavy
is called for.  Something right in between a nerf ball and a softball.
Croquet mallets sound a bit too violent for me.  Any sort of serious swing
at the ball might easily put an end to one's well-loved bicycle frame.
Anyhow, aren't they very heavy to swing with one hand?

Some safety features are also called for--notably elbow pads.  I got whacked
in the elbow by the other fellows polo stick, so I should know.  Knee pads,
and some sort of protection for one's heel might also be good, come to think
of it.  I'm sure that a well-swung polo mallet can render you peg-legged to
say the least.  Helmets, too naturally.

One other practical matter--I imagine, though I haven't tried it, that those
lazy-type handle bars I've seen on some mountain bikes (the ones you can
sort of lean your elbows on as you go along) could be inverted, and held in
the middle, like the reins of a horse.  I mean to say, it might make it easier
to stear the bloody thing with one hand, which was my chief problem on my
"test-drive".

Anyhow, I know polo on bicycles is not a new idea.  I gather it's been around
for some time in the US, and if there are some established rules for the game
I would be most grateful if someone would tell me where to obtain a copy!

Just my two-pence-ha'penny's worth...

Jens



-- 
Jens Johansen (jens@seas.gwu.edu)       | DISCLAIMER:  Hey, if you seriously
----------------------------------------|   believe I am speaking for anyone
  /* insert your own witty message */   |   else, we might both be in quite
           /* right here */             |   serious trouble...
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
From: kenl@origami.cc.bellcore.com (Ken Lehner)
Subject: Re: leg shave shacks
Keywords: total_body_shave
Organization: Bellcore
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 92 19:00:13 GMT

As a Masters swimmer who has shaved his (over 30 year old) hairy body from neck
to (tops of) feet, including chest and arms, for swim meets, it is my
experience that hair does not grow back any different than it was before
shaving.

If shaving your legs for cycling only had the same effect as shaving your
body does for swimming...

Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
From: les@SAIL.Stanford.EDU (Les Earnest)
Subject: Re: wrong way riding (was Re: Hints on commuting by bike?)
Followup-To: rec.bicycles.soc
Organization: /usr/lib/news/organizatoin
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1992 20:32:24 GMT

Please take this thread to rec.bicycles.soc where it belongs.

--
Les Earnest                                  Phone:  415 941-3984
Internet: Les@cs.Stanford.edu              USMail: 12769 Dianne Drive
UUCP: . . . decwrl!cs.Stanford.edu!Les         Los Altos Hills, CA 94022
From: klkarp@remus.rutgers.edu (klk)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
Subject: Gears Changing
Date: 31 Aug 92 18:29:10 GMT
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.


I just got a new mountain bike.  It seems that whenever I ride anywhere
that's rey bumpy, the gears start changing.  Any idea on what the
problem may be?

I'm new at riding mt bikes so forgive me if this is a stupid question.

Please emai any suggestions to:
               klkarp@remus.rutgers.edu

thank you.
Xref: sparky rec.bicycles.misc:272 rec.bicycles.soc:101
From: fred_s@earwax.pei.com (Fred Scott)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc,rec.bicycles.soc
Subject: Re: traffic rules (was: Hints on commuting by bike?)
Date: 2 Sep 92 23:05:03 GMT
Followup-To: rec.bicycles.soc
Organization: Protocol Engines Incorporated

In article <1992Sep1.142442.25412@cbfsb.cb.att.com> weird@cbnewsf.cb.att.com (john.t.erhardt) writes:
>Why do some drivers think that if there are bike paths thats where the bikes
>should be and not on the road.  We still have every right to be on the road.
...
>Now I've looked at the rules of the road.  It says that unless there a sign
>that specifically says bike can use the path only, they can use either.
>The path I'm speaking about it basically a side walk only smoother, asphalt
>I guess.  The result is you get Grandma and Grandpa padaling along enjoying
>the nice day.  Mommy pushing her baby in a stroller.  And Mr. and Ms. Yuppie
>trying to exercise.  This is all fine.  I like to enjoy nature too.
>We each do it in different ways.  I'm out there training for races.
>If I tried to ride on the bike path I'd run into people left and right.

Don't you think it's kind of interesting: (various legalities of bicycle
riding on the road, aside) it seems that the auto drivers you're complaining
about are pursuing the exact same interests which you are.  You want to ride
somewhere where you don't have to worry about getting around drastically
slower moving objects and so do they.

As far as your original question goes, the answer is likely to be that they're
uninformed (and perhaps uncaring) about your rights to drive on the road.  For
that matter, so am I...could someone give me a rundown?

Fred
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
From: adh@cbnewsi.cb.att.com (andrew.d.hay)
Subject: traffic rules (was: Hints on commuting by bike?)
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: na
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1992 12:31:04 GMT

In article <1992Aug27.190100.28995@cbfsb.cb.att.com> mikeh@cbnewsg.cb.att.com (michael p.herlihy) writes:
[]
"On a totally different subject, last night when I was out riding
"I almost collided with two kids (~15 years old) cycling against traffic.
"
"I wanted to say something like "wrong side of the street" but
"I didn't want to sound obnoxious.  Suggestions on what to say?

how about 'ride *with* traffic -- it's the law'?  (it *is* the law
here in MA)

-- 
		+--------------------------------------------------------------+
Andrew Hay	"Do not fraternize with that creature, I am trying to train him"
a_d_hay@att.com	"But that's a parrot!"		"I was TALKING to the parrot..."
		+--------------------------------------------------------------+
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
From: ncherry@cbnewsg.cb.att.com (neil j.cherry)
Subject: Re: Ignorant Cyclists (was: Hints on commuting by bike?)
Followup-To: rec.bicycles.soc
Organization: AT&T
Date: Thu, 3 Sep 1992 15:06:36 GMT

In article <1SEP199216380427@xenon.arc.nasa.gov> laforce@xenon.arc.nasa.gov

 Lots of good stuff deleted.

>>They should signal turns (okay, the cars around here rarly do this),
>>they should not be on the sidewalks, they should stop at lights and
>>stop signs, and they should not be on the wrong side of the road.  If
>>they don't follow these rules (like riding on the wrong side of the
>>road), like a car, they should expect to get in an accident.
>
>Yes, yes, yes, yes!!!!!
>
>You want to be treated like a car, drive like a car!  Ok, ok, if it's 
>clear, I usually only drop to about 5mph at a stop sign.
>
>--Soren            laforce@xenon.arc.nasa.gov

I also slow at stop signs, but only on back roads where its safe to do this.
I'm also sometimes forced to go up on the walk to hit the light button.

But I drove through New Brunswick (Rutgers U) and noticed that of all the
cyclists and runners etal I ever encountered college student rank as the worst
in general. They drove all over the streets, on the walks in the crowds, ran
reds, made illegal turns, wrong way down a oneway street. All this with in
a 5 minute period. Also some adults I work with do similar things when riding
home from work. I'll have a few words with them as soon as I find them. I
think it time to educate the public in general. Anyone care to give words of
wisdom.

NJC


Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
From: rpetty@mu.enet.dec.com (Rich Petty)
Subject: Re: collarbone rehab??
Reply-To: rpetty@mu.enet.dec.com (Rich Petty)
Organization: Evans & Sutherland
Date: Fri, 28 Aug 1992 21:07:24 GMT

--Eric----

	Either I have a really low pain threshhold, our injuries were very
different,
or your a really tuff guy (-e-all of the above?) cause I couldn't even
turn my head
without excruciating pain. Anyway, I hope your injuries healed and your
back in the
saddle again. You too rich

		Later--------------Rich
sig. under construction.........................not!
From: shenry@cs.rice.edu (Sam Henry)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
Subject: Re: NEW vitus 979 57cm blue w/warrantee
Date: 25 Aug 92 18:52:29 GMT
Organization: Rice University, Houston


>In article <1992Aug25.015644.26255@panther.mot.com>
>ronf@panther3.panther.mot.com (Ron Feigen) is selling: 
>>
>>I have a BRAND NEW vitus 979 frame in blue ...

In article <axan12.tomk@netcom.com> tomk@netcom.com (Thomas H. Kunich)
is correcting:

>...
>BTW this is the _wrong_ conference for sales.

Oh, joy.  It starts.  This is at least the 3d misposted-by-group
article I have seen.  Not to count the 2 crossposted articles on
racing and selling.  All in the first day of use.

Ah, joys of the split.


-- 
sam henry <shenry@rice.edu>
Wanna ride?
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
From: kol@hal.nta.no (Karl Olav Lillevold FST Student)
Subject: Cycling Pictures
Organization: Norwegian Telecom Research
Date: Fri, 4 Sep 92 08:15:35 GMT


I have uploaded the following pictures to draco.acs.uci.edu:

182312 Sep  3 22:38 MountainBike.gif :
	raytraced image made with Rayshade (colour - gif)

87047 Sep  3 22:39 indu_lemond_TdF91.jpg :
	Miguel Indurain & Greg Lemond from the final time trial
	in Tour de France 91 (colour - jpeg)

34208 Sep  3 22:39 indurain_TdF91.jpg :
	Indurain from the first time trial 
	in TdF91 (colour - jpeg)

27771 Sep  3 22:40 indurain_TdF92.jpg :
	Indurain & Laurent Fignon from the first time trial
	in this years TdF (greyscale - jpeg)

They can be found in the /pub/rec.bicycles/pictures directory.
 
 Karl Olav Lillevold                email: kol@hal.nta.no

 
     
  
Xref: sparky rec.bicycles.misc:32 rec.bicycles.soc:8 rec.bicycles.tech:20
From: philg@zurich.ai.mit.edu (Philip Greenspun)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc,rec.bicycles.soc,rec.bicycles.tech
Subject: Re: Cycling Gives Me A Neck Ache -- Recommendations??
Date: 25 Aug 92 19:26:32 GMT
Reply-To: philg@martigny.ai.mit.edu
Followup-To: rec.bicycles.misc
Organization: M.I.T. Artificial Intelligence Lab.
In-reply-to: lzs@indetech.com's message of 25 Aug 92 01:20:51 GMT


In article <1992Aug25.012051.18138@indetech.com> lzs@indetech.com writes:

   I have a problem that is interfering with my enjoyment of cycling. If
   I cycle for more than about 2 hours, my neck and (esp) shoulder muscles
   start to KILL me!! And for the next several days, I have to take anti-
   inflammatories and pain killers. Not good!!!

I had this problem when I started riding my mtn bike for extended
periods.  Like a stereotypical lonely MIT nerd, I chatted up a couple
of attractive women on Glacier Point in Yosemite and they turned out
to be physical therapist/triathletes.  Here's what they said:

1) if you hunch up your shoulders, which is a natural thing to do when
faced with the terrors of the woods, it will make your neck hurt.  I
tried determinedly pushing my shoulders back and down while riding and
found that it made a huge difference.

2) you can strengthen some muscles in your back with weights and/or
exercises that will help you avoid neck pain.

The problem seems to boil down to not using the right muscles to hold
one's body in the required position and not having enough strength in
the relevant muscles.

Let me know if pushing your shoulders back and down helps.

Philip Greenspun
lonely MIT EECS nerd
From: pfaffman@pilot.njin.net (Jay Pfaffman)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
Subject: Re: Ignorant Cyclists (was: Hints on commuting by bike?)
Date: 1 Sep 92 23:09:42 GMT
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.

I once got in something of a fight with a 7th grade science teacher
(whom I passionately despised, in spite of liking science) who taught
a "bicycle safety" course. She instructed us that we should ride
against the traffic.  I contended that it was better to ride with the
traffic, except, perhaps, just after cresting a hill (That's what a
book that I read at the time suggested).

I doubt that she rode bikes.  I'd have hated her even more if I'd
realized that then.
-- 
Jay Pfaffman, Computer Coordinator        pfaffman@pilot.njin.net
Dwight-Englewood School, 315 E. Palisade Ave.                      
Englewood, NJ  07631-0489                 201-569-9500
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
From: M23231@mwvm.mitre.org
Subject: Re: traffic rules (was: Hints on commuting by bike?)
Organization: The MITRE Corporation, McLean VA 22102
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1992 17:27:15 GMT

In article <schinder.715015744@leprss.gsfc.nasa.gov>
schinder@leprss.gsfc.nasa.gov (Paul J. Schinder) writes:
 
>
>In <1992Aug28.142757.3232@cbfsb.cb.att.com> mikeh@cbnewsg.cb.att.com (michael p.herlihy) writes:
>
>>In article <1992Aug28.123104.5775@cbnewsi.cb.att.com> adh@cbnewsi.cb.att.com (andrew.d.hay) writes:
>>>
>>>how about 'ride *with* traffic -- it's the law'?  (it *is* the law
>>>here in MA)
>>>
>
>>Does anyone know what the law is in N.J.?
>
>The law is the same everywhere in the US and Canada.  Ride a bike on
>the right side (with traffic), obeying all traffic laws.  Riding
>against traffic is not only illegal, it increases your risk of being
>injured enormously.
>
>--
**********
Let's say you're pedaling at 15 mph on a highway where the cars are *supposed*
to obey a 55 mph speed limit. You're riding with the traffic, and someone
rear ends you at 55 mph (more likely 65). The relative speed is *only* 40 mph.
What are your chances of surviving such a crash? Riding against the traffic,
the relative speed at collision would be 70 mph, of course, but what is the
improvement in your chances of *avoiding* the collision by virtue of being
better able to survey what is coming at you? You realize, of course, that *all*
cars are going to pass you no matter where you ride, don't you?
*********
 
Just my own opinions--not my employer's as far as I know
*********