HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles

TKPOWELL@bluemoon.profs.tek.com writes:

>roat@rrc.chevron.com (Suzanne Roat) writes

>-What's the point?  I'd rather lose 5 pounds myself than spend $1500 scrping a
>-few
>-ounces of my bike.  A whole lot easier and cheaper.

>The point is some folks enjoy pouring over catalogs, ordering neato
>titanium parts; installing said parts and at least psycologically
>going quicker.  Does it make financial sense.  Probably not.

Let me be the devil's advocate for a minute and try and explain
my logic for getting a Flite Titanium saddle and considering more 
Ti parts for the bike.

1.  No matter how much you weigh, no matter how many tools you carry
    and no matter how many water bottles you take, you will be that 
    little bit lighter with Ti parts.  Saying that you can save 
    weight by reducing any of the above means that you are either
    overweight or make a habit of carrying unnecessary things with
    you on your rides.  Right now I'm flirting with the lower limit
    of my weight; lose 2 or 3 lbs and I'll feel miserable.  I only
    carry the tools that I really need (spare tube, patch kit, spoke
    wrench, food, money) and as much water as I think necessary.

2.  Having a decent job and being single, $1000 or so just isn't that
    much money.  This may not be true for some folks with more financial
    obligations.  I like to compare it with some other people whose
    passions are sailing, flying, or even skiing.  The cost of riding
    an expensive bike, especially if you look at it from a dollar/hour
    point of view, is small.  A lot of people around me here at work
    are horrified at the thought of a $3000 bike because the see a 
    bicycle as a toy and think that it should cost what a toy costs.
    Then they drive off in a BMW or take their boat for a cruise in
    the bay.

3.  You don't need to be professional, or even licensed, to be competitive.
    Among the people I ride with any ride with more than 2 or 3 riders
    is a race by definition, at least to every county line sign and to
    the top of every hill.  If you look at climbing as simply transforming
    muscular energy output into potential energy, a weight savings of
    1% of rider+bike total weight should result in 1% faster climbing.
    That's 18" for a 30' climb.  Well, 18" may not be much, but I'll
    take any advantage I can get!

4.  Looking fast is almost as good as being fast!  

-Bud
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
From: blagdon@engin.umich.edu (Kenneth James Clark )
Subject: Re: U.S. Federal Bicycle  Policy
Date: Thu, 30 Jul 92 08:58:16 EDT
Organization: University of Michigan Engineering, Ann Arbor

In article <9207292047.AA16833@micro> chuang@micro (Michael Chuang) writes:
>
>If we're attributing the top quote to the right person, I think he's
>in the Boston area.  

Ooops, uh, yeah, I know how to read....

>Traffic here is slower than that in Ann Arbor, but 
>the general incompetence of drivers here is a greater danger than
>speed.  (Natives think they're "tough" drivers, but they're just not
>very good at driving.  For real aggressive driving you have to go some
>place like Taipei or, I'm told, Tel Aviv.)
>
>I was recently in Ann Arbor and noticed that maybe 90% of cyclists
>there ride on the sidewalks.  Granted it's a college town, and they've
>redesigned S. University with those stupid planters that narrow the street
>to a single lane each way, but why is everyone on the sidewalk ?

We get a fresh crop of autophobic midwesterners every year.  It usually
takes them a few months to figure out that cars are third class on campus,
and that since the pedestrians are first class, they can either trudge through
crowds of pedestrians (all of whom have right of way) or whiz along the 
roads (where they travel as fast as the cars and have free parking).
Were you here during the term, or during summer break?

>People seem not to know how to react when encountering cyclists. I was
>going down Division at about 30 mph (downhill section) taking an entire
>lane and drivers were treating me politely and no one even tried to pass
>me in an unsafe manner.  The experience quite threw me and I had to stop
>by the Kroger's on Broadway and have a sitdown to regain my bearings.

Hey!  Looks like I'm doing some good!  I wrote an article for the AA News
that they printed about taking full lanes on narrow four-lane roads.  I've
been riding on the large arterials (Division, Huron, Washtenaw, Plymouth)
to work during rush hour this summer and I think the motorists are finally 
getting a clue.  I don't even get horns any more.  Just an occasional
cop being stupid and macho.

Ken
From: bhilden@bigriver.Eng.Sun.COM (Bruce Hildenbrand)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
Subject: Some Very Random Thoughts and Insights on the Tour de France
Date: 22 Jul 1992 04:20:53 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems Inc., Mountain View, CA
NNTP-Posting-Host: bigriver

Here are some very random thoughts, answers to questions and insights
on the current Tour de France(TIOOYK).

1) Greg LeMond was the first American to win a mountain stage,
he did so in 1986 at Superbagneres in the Pyrenees.  Incidentally,
his win was set up by Andy Hampsten's attack with about 10km to go.
Greg also won a stage near Aix Les Bains in 1989 which while it did
not climb any really big passes, was still in the Alps.

2) Andy is the Fourth(not third) American to win a Tour stage
Greg Lemond has wins in 1985, 1986 and 1989(2), Davis Phinney in
1986 and 1987, and Jeff Pierce 1987 all preceded him.

3) the climb to L'Alpe D'Huez starts in Bourg D'Oisans(700m) and
finishes 13km later at the top(1900m).  The lower 3km are ~12%,
the upper 10km are 8-9%.

4) It is interesting to note how Andy's and Greg's career have mixed.
In 1989, Andy was just coming off a relaxed 3rd place inthe Giro and
was a heavy favorite for the TdF win.  Greg was expected to do nothing.
Andy ended up way back and obscurity while LeMond shot to fame.  In 1992,
Greg is a favorite and Andy is not mentioned as a contender.  Look what
happened.

Personally, I wish both Andy and Greg the best of luck.  The sport
they participate in is so, so, so, hard that it is really inconceivable
for most of us to have even the slightest clue about what makes these
guys tick.  When I hear US Olympians and multiple US national champions
telling me how hard it is just to finish each stage, be it flat or
hilly, I realize that I really have no concept of how hard this race
really is.  My hats off to all those who have chosen professional
cycling as a career and special salutations to those that have carried
the torch a bit higher!!!!

Bruce

ps - and "yes" Andy was just awesome on both Saturday and Sunday


P
From: larryb (Larry Bernstein)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
Subject: Suggestions: SPD pedals or Front Shocks upgrade?
Date: 22 Jul 92 16:56:32 GMT
Organization: Sybase

I'm trying to decide which would be a better choice for the money
for the maximum performance increase. Being a rode rider whose used
to clipless pedals, I've been leaning toward putting the SPD 
pedals on my mountain bike. However, I've been hearing more and 
more of the advantages of front shocks. What are the plus/minus
I'd experience from adding either of these, and if you could choose
only one, which would it be? I live in the San Fran Bay area and do
a lot of climbing and a combination of fire trails and single 
track (although laws are making single track less available).

Thanks.

Larry Bernstein
larryb@sybase.com 
or try 
sybase!larryb@eng.sun.com
From: birchall@pilot.njin.net (Shag)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
Subject: Re: Bad Accident
Date: 27 Jul 92 19:59:50 GMT
Organization: Screaming in Digital, the Queensryche Net Digest

jesnow@athena.mit.edu (Jonathan E Snow) writes:

>	1. Conclusions about wearing helmet.
>	2. Conclusions about intransigent police who don't think 
>cyclists are legitimate users of the road.

1. I wouldn't be caught dead without a helmet.  I've already trashed one [an
	old foam/hardshell non-certified one] completely [it's a long story]
	and if I went out without one on, it just wouldn't feel right.  
	Besides, they keep my hair out of the way.

2. No such problem in my town - we don't have cops.  ;)

-Shag
-- 

     Freedom belongs to only those without video screens for eyes and mouth.
		- Queensryche
From: varvel@cs.utexas.edu (Donald A. Varvel)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
Subject: Re: cleaning and lubricating a chain
Date: 25 Jul 1992 02:25:21 -0500
Organization: U Texas Dept of Computer Sciences, Austin TX
NNTP-Posting-Host: coltexo.cs.utexas.edu

In article <6djmq7f.tomk@netcom.com> tomk@netcom.com (Thomas H. Kunich) writes:
>At the shop where I do business they had a sample bottle of 
>Citra-Solv and it contained a warning label that stated that 
>it contained petroleum products. I'll try and find it again.

>It also had several warnings in the literature about not using
>the stuff in an enclosed area -- oh-oh -- not for me!

The warnings on mine:

   KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN

   WARNING: HARMFUL IF SWALLOWED
   COMBUSTIBLE LIQUID.  Do not use or store near sparking equipment
   or open flame

   Contains: D-limonene and other citrus extracts

   1. Eyes: Immediately flush with water for at least 15 minutes.
   Get medical attention.

   2. Skin: Rinse thoroughly with soap and water.  If irritation
   persists get medical attention.

   3. Ingested: Do not induce vomiting.  Give milk, egg white,
   gelatin, or if none of these are available, water.  Get immediate
   medical attention.

   NOTE: Avoid contact with plastics, may cause cloud or distort.

The stuff is concentrated extract of citrus rind.  It is flammable
in the same way that the spray produced when you squeeze an orange
rind is flammable.  (Try squeezing an orange rind next to a flame
some time, if you haven't already.)  Only there's lots more of it,
so if you use a lot of it in a badly ventilated room I suppose it
might pose a danger.

I'll use it.  You don't have to.  At least I'll use it until the
present bottle is empty.  The stuff's expensive.

-- Don Varvel (varvel@cs.utexas.edu)
From: Barbora Deschenes <BRAB@UNB.CA>
Subject: RE: Bike Nashbar
Organization: University of New Brunswick
Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1992 13:17:19 GMT

In article <64074@hydra.gatech.EDU> ccoprbm@prism.gatech.EDU (bruce mccullough) writes:
>
> Has anyone ever dealt with or ordered from Bike Nashbar out of
>Youngstown,Ohio? I was thinking about ordering a few items.
>
>.
I have ordered from them many times. I find the prices very reasonable
and delivery quite promp. Out here in New Brunswick Canada there are
no stores that carry bike stuff so this is somewhat of a life-line.
Good Luck
Barbora Deschenes, University of New Brunswick,ComputingServices
e-mail => barbora@unb.ca
From: davis@ee.rochester.edu (Al Davis)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
Subject: Re: numb toes
Date: 22 Jul 92 02:31:13 GMT
Organization: Univ of Rochester, College of Engineering and Applied Science

In article <1992Jul21.134214.29774@cis.ohio-state.edu> skon@cis.ohio-state.edu (james paul skon) writes:
>.....After a couple of miles the toes in my left foot
>go numb.  The shoes seem to fit ok .............

The shoes don't fit right if they hurt.  Probably the width is wrong.
Possibly you compromised the length to get a better width.




>Is this a common problem?
yes.

>  Does it get better as the shoes break in, or 
>should I get rid of the shoes?
Sometimes it gets better, sometimes worse.  Usually worse.


The real cause of the problem is that bike shoes only come in one width
(usually D) which is probably either too wide or too narrow.  European shoes
are relatively narrow in the toes and wide in the heel.  It is tempting to
get shorter shoes to get a better fit around the heel.  This doesn't work.
It only makes the toes hurt.  The seem ok in the store then hurt riding when
the foot slides forward in the loose fitting shoe that is too short.

This is one possible case.  (Too wide, too short)  Your reason may be different.

Perhaps if we made enough noise we could get bike shoes in widths.  The have
half sizes, but the length is far less critical.  For now, the only solution
seems to get shoes that are too big and use orthotics, pads, extra socks,
etc.  For some there is no solution.  Wear sneakers.

al (size 13AA)
From: harry@cv.hp.com (Harry Phinney)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
Subject: Re: XC Pro hubs compatible with XT groupo?
Date: 24 Jul 92 17:14:16 GMT
Article-I.D.: hpcvusn.1992Jul24.171416.19448
Distribution: na
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Company, Corvallis, Oregon USA
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL4

tomk@netcom.com (Thomas H. Kunich) writes:
: Shimano (and Campi) uses equal distance spacing on the rear
: cogs. Suntour uses unequal distances. I have seen several
: articles that claim that they _still_ work together, but I wouldn't
: mix them. I'm sure that there would be some noise problems.

I just installed a set of Ultegra STI shifters and rear derailleur on a
bike.  It shifts well with a Suntour Winner Pro freewheel, and doesn't
make noise in any gear.  It shifts better on a Dura-Ace Hype-Glide
cassette, but shifts well enough with the Suntour that I wouldn't 
hesitate to use it regularly.

Harry Phinney   harry@hp-pcd.cv.hp.com
From: mlantin@csi.uottawa.ca (Maria Lantin)
Subject: Re: Interesting facts about bicycles in Ontario (from MoT)
Organization: University of Ottawa
Date: Mon, 27 Jul 92 18:40:07 GMT

In article <g-lmw8d.tomk@netcom.com> tomk@netcom.com (Thomas H. Kunich) writes:
>If bicycle paths are so safe, why is it that most of them
>have a 15mph speed limit?

Bicycle paths are not safe they are safer.  A lot of cyclists do not have the
first clue about how to ride on a bike path.  There are a lot of accidents 
on the bike paths each year which explains the speed limit.  Also pedestrians
need to be protected from speeding bikes.

				Maria


Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
From: stek@alcvax.pfc.mit.edu
Subject: But this one goes to 11
Organization: MIT PLASMA FUSION CENTER
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1992 14:50:57 GMT

Big downhill sprint next month.  Is there a freewheel made that
has an 11?  I have a Shimano 600 freehub (non hyperglide) also.
Does anyone make an  11 for these?

Paul Stek
Stek@alcvax.pfc.mit.edu
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
From: madine@cbnewsm.cb.att.com (G. E. Madine, AT&T-BL/AL, cbnewsm.)
Subject: Re: Interesting facts about bicycles in Ontario (from MoT)
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1992 19:44:54 GMT
Followup-To: gem@aloft.att.conm
Summary: You are not giving all the choices.

In article <1992Jul28.153514.12637@csi.uottawa.ca>, mlantin@csi.uottawa.ca (Maria Lantin) writes:
> >
> >>Bicycle paths are not safe they are safer.  
> 
> Sorry I didn't mean to be unclear.  I meant safer than roads in most cases.
> I think if given the choice I would rather be hit by another cyclist than
> a car (BTW I _have_ been hit by another cyclist on a bike path).

Bikepaths are unsafe primarily because you can ride on a bikepath
AND BE STRUCK BY A CAR!

(Note: I'll agree that this may not be true for theoretical
or actual bikepaths that are closed loops without roadway intersections).

Finally, the choices you offer are as grossly misleading as the _Bicycling_
Harris survey questions.

Gary E. Madine, AT&T Bell Labs, Allentown, PA, USA
gem@aloft.att.com


Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
From: mejia@mckinley.ee.umn.edu (John (Gear-Head) Mejia)
Subject: Re: Bike Nashbar
Organization: University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, EE dept.
Distribution: na
Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1992 18:50:18 GMT

In <64074@hydra.gatech.EDU> ccoprbm@prism.gatech.EDU (bruce mccullough) writes:

> Has anyone ever dealt with or ordered from Bike Nashbar out of
>Youngstown,Ohio? I was thinking about ordering a few items.

I've ordered hundreds of dollars worth of stuff from these folks...never had
a problem yet.  You do need to know what you're buying in advance though.
Other than that, the service I've received has been great....cheap next day
air, no problem returning anything, good quality stuff etc...

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
			       John C. Mejia
    High Performance Computing Research Center - University of Minnesota
E-MAIL                                                             VOICE
mejia@everest.ee.umn.edu                                      612-626-7360 (W)
                                               / F
                                  __o         / I
               __o              -\<,         / N
              -\<,  ...........O / O        / I
..............O/ O                         / S
                                          / H
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From: hoppe@cs.cornell.edu (Bruce E. Hoppe)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
Subject: Re: TDF reporting (was Re: LeMond is officially gone.)
Date: 28 Jul 92 01:02:33 GMT
Organization: Cornell Univ. CS Dept, Ithaca NY 14853

In article <9207272242.AA07973@micro> chuang@micro (Michael Chuang) writes:
>[... my criticism of some Susan Bickelhaupt TdF articles deleted ...]
>
>hoppe@cs.cornell.edu (Bruce E. Hoppe) says:
>
># Actually, I think you are wronging her.  I don't know how to spell her
># name either, but she writes TDF columns every year for the Globe.  I
># think she and Samuel Abt (New York Times, International Herald-Tribune)
># are the only two American sports columnists who do this.
>
>Bickelhaupt is either ignorant and less than qualified to write about
>professional cycling or the editors are deleting the content of her
>articles and pasting in largely irrelevant "interesting" material like
>"who was wearing a cowboy hat on Thursday at the races." ...
>
>chuang@micro.ll.mit.edu

I had the opportunity to see one of Samuel Abt's TDF articles
(perhaps in Thursday's NY Times?) and I noted that the entire
article was about the "Lantern Rouge" award for last place,
with light-hearted comments and interviews with the top two
contenders for this position.  There was NO coverage of any
recent racing in his article.  Race information was provided only
in the big grey "TDF box" that the NYT put with the box scores.

   Is there no hope of getting actual race coverage in the papers?
(What would we have done without Brent and l'Equipe?)

Bruce Hoppe
hoppe@cs.cornell.edu
From: Dewey.Thiessen@f24.n130.z1.fidonet.org (Dewey Thiessen)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
Subject: Re: airplanes and bicycles
Date: 25 Jul 92 14:51:04 GMT


 G> Help--I want to "baggage" my bicycle with me but United Airlines wants
 G> $45 each way. The only way I think I can get around this is if I can
 G> pack the bike into 2 boxes each no longer than 61 linear inches (length+
 G> width+height). Any suggestions from experienced bicycle 
 G> travelers? Do I have
 G> any easier options?

 Pay the $90 and forget it.

                                         Dewey

 * Origin: Attend FidoCon'92 - September 4-6 - Dallas, TX (1:130/24)
From: jrdodd@waikato.ac.nz
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
Subject: Re: Are You a Bikaholic?
Date: 28 Jul 92 17:02:32 +1200
Organization: University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand


	You know you're a bikaholic when...
	One night I was asleep and started having a dream that I was out on a
ride when my cyclometer sensor slipped off my front fork and started hitting
the spokes.  I ended up feet in the air,  cycling on my back in bed with my
arms around my ankles trying to adjust my 'sensor'.  
	At 3 in the morning,  it gave my girlfriend quite a shock I can tell
you!

	Jonathan.
	University of Waikato
	New Zealand.

Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
From: paul@panix.com (Paul Gatker)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
Subject: Re: NBC's Olympic Coverage
Date: 27 Jul 92 21:35:29 GMT
Organization: PANIX Public Access Unix, NYC


 One strategy to avoid the offensive NBC coverage of Olympic Sport is to 
video tape it all, and then fast foward through the crap. The events are 
tape delayed by NBC anyway in most cases, so time-shifting it abit more is
no big deal.

 With a second vcr, the good stuff can be copied over and saved.

 Also, some sort of organized letter writing campaign to NBC letting them
know that they are making a lot of people sick to their stomachs with their
garbage coverage might help......                          

ttyl

 
-- 
*******************************************************************
 paul@panix.com                            COMPULITE GRAPHICS
brooklyn, ny, usa                         Design & Consultation
*********************************************************************
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
From: eandersen@PFC.Forestry.CA
Subject: Re: Mountain Co-op
Reply-To: eandersen@PFC.Forestry.CA
Organization: Forestry Canada (Pacific Forestry Centre)
Distribution: na
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1992 18:26:05 GMT

John;
Mountain Equipment Co-op is in Vancouver.  You can phone their toll free number in order to receive catalog.  The number is: 1-800-663-2667.  Their prices are quite good; (much better than Victoria stores) on cycling gear and hiking equipment, clothing, etc.  I have been a member for years and am very pleased with them.

Eric Andersen
From: madams@ecst.csuchico.edu (Michael E. Adams)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
Subject: need e-mail path for Computerized biker Steven Roberts.
Date: 25 Jul 92 00:11:51 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: California State University, Chico

Steven Roberts tours around the USA on a hi-tech recombent bike.  
Durring an interview on the Donahew show (7/24/92), steven said
he "lives on the Internet".  It seems his bike has a satalight
link for e-mail, and that he can read & write WHILE riding!
Sounds to cool!  So where on Internet does the man live??????

Thank you for your hunting tips :-)

         (___)      |  Michael E. Adams
         (o o)      |  Custom Computer Programming
  /-------\ /       |  P.O. Box 5027
 / |     ||O        |  Chico,  California  95927-5025    U.S.A.
*  ||,---||         |
   ~~    ~~         |  Internet: madams@cscihp.ecst.csuchico.edu
-- 
Hi! I am a .signature virus. Copy me into your .signature to join in!
From: cbrunson@vermont.East.Sun.COM (Chuck Brunson - Sun BOS Corporate Software Engineering)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
Subject: Suggestions for bikes
Date: 27 Jul 1992 19:17:54 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems
Distribution: world
Reply-To: cbrunson@vermont.East.Sun.COM
NNTP-Posting-Host: vermont.east.sun.com

My wife and I are looking  to purchase Bikes for ourselves. I'm looking
for suggestions on bikes in the $350-$450 range. We plan to use them on
packed dirt trails (I guess you'd say lite off-road riding) and short
road rides. I think we'll be spending more time off-road than on. We've
spent some time looking around and gathering info and so far the two
models that we've looked at and really liked are the Bridgestone MB-6
and the Specialized Hardrock Sport. We both like the above bar shifters
better.

My questions are:

1) Are the above two bikes reasonable choices?

2) Is there a marked advantage between SunTour and Shimano components?
   We tried the Shimano Ultra-glide <sp?> and were told that it allows
   you to shift easier while going uphill (compared to the SunTour XCM
   which was on the MB-60, is this true?

3) Is it important to look for a crankset that is bolted together as
   opposed to riveted? We were told that this is an advantage in case you
   hit the front gears on something and bend/break them, that its a lot
   easier to fix. Should this really be a consideration for us (I doubt
  we'll be try to hop over boulders and such ;^) )?

4) Other things we should consider when looking at bikes, tires, rims, etc.
   Other brands/models?

Neither one of us is an experienced cyclist (we CAN both ride a bike)
although we are both athletic and in good shape. Any advice/opinions/
info is appreciated. TIA

---
UPA Masters Team: Red Menace			Chuckie B.
1991 Nationals Masters Champions		Sun Microsystems BOS
BACUL Team: 	  RADial ACTive			chuck.brunson@East.Sun.COM
Boston Area Corporate Ultimate League		Work Phn. (508)671-0527
 You're NEVER too old to play!