HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: tthiel@cs.uiuc.edu (Terry Thiel)
Subject: Re: Advice on Trainers
Organization: University of Illinois, Dept. of Comp. Sci., Urbana, IL
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1992 21:43:02 GMT

rajacobs@plg.uwaterloo.ca (Rory Jacobs) writes:
>In article <29058@oasys.dt.navy.mil> elliott@oasys.dt.navy.mil (Brian Elliott) writes:
>>	I am in need of some advice on indoor trainers, having never
>>	used one before I have alot of questions. Here are some that 
>>	come to mind: 
>>	What are the pros/cons of the mag units compared to the fan.
>Mag unit has much less noise; you choose a resitance level and it doesn't
>change.
>Fan has significantly more noise; Resitance increases as you pedal faster.
If you live in an apartment your neighbors will probably be much happier if
you use a mag.  You can also hear the TV without turning it up to maximum.
>>	What adverse affect, if any, do these units have on the bike,
>>	I own a aluminum road bike.
>I don't think either the Mag or Fan unit will damage the bike.
This is one of those depends on who you talk to questions.  I don't know
the answer.  Some people swear you can damage the frame others say it's no
problem.  The damage folks say that you can ruin the alignment becasue
you're twisting the frame but not allowing it to move.
>Disadvantages of Both:
>   You sweat heavily and drip all over your components and frame.  Nashbar
>   sells something called a sweat stopper, so you can sweat into it instead
>   of onto your frame.  
Or you can use a towel, just drape it over the frame and you can wipe your
face with it when necessary.
-Terry
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
From: "Michael Smith" <p00004@psilink.com>
Subject: Re: A friend went down
Organization: Performance Systems Int'l
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 20:49:34 GMT
X-Mailer: PSILink-DOS (3.3)

>DATE:   17 Dec 92 18:44:49 GMT
>FROM:   r.g.olsenatt.com <r.g.olsen@att.com>
>
>Shari Bernhard writes:
>
>> I found out last night that a friend of mine was in a serious accident
>> involving a car on his way cycling to work yesterday morning.
>> The driver (not the car) ran into the back of him with such a force
>> that he slammed into the windshield.
>
>Sorry to hear this.  Hope your friend recovers!
>
>John Forester wonders why many cyclists (like myself)
>are concerned about this type of collision, which is
>responsible for only a small fraction of car-bike accidents.

I've seen this asserion made several times in this newsgroup (that cars 
rear-ending cyclists is rare), but it seems that every week somebody 
posts a note describing just such an incident. What exactly is the 
source for the statistic that these incidents are rare? Does anybody know?

--Michael Smith

Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc,rec.bicycles.tech,aus.bicycles
From: EPLUS17@vmd.cso.uiuc.edu (Richard Engelbrecht-Wiggans)
Subject: Re: Automatic transmissions for bikes
Organization: C.C.S.O.
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1992 01:47:23 GMT

In article <1992Dec29.182213.15085@pt.com>
rkd@pt.com (Ray Downes) writes:
 
>
>I've ridden with a fair amount of what I'll call casual riders,
>especially during the pre-index days, who wouldn't or couldn't figure
>out how to use their multi-gear bike. Many riders even today, owning
>14-24 speed bikes, don't know how to get the next higher gear ratio,
>and tend to struggle along with same maybe 3-4 gear ratios (with at
>least one of those being a "bad" gear). Worse yet, some manufacturers
>chose very poor gear combinations, some even with 3-4 "good" gear ratio
>duplicates!
>
>For "the masses", who have no interest in swapping gears, instead of a
>automatic transmission, how about a intellegent shift lever, i.e. one
>that decides what the next higher (or lower) gear-inch combo is and
>single or double shifts as required.
>
>I'm picturing a single lever, perhaps using a shift drum as in some
>motorcycle transmissions, where a single shift "up", does a single or
>double shift as required. The drum could be matched with predetermined
>chainring and freewheel/cassettes "sets" (manufacturers would love
>this), dealers could alter the "set" as required to meet the
>rider/terrain requirements. The drum would also be "programmed" to
>disallow bad gear combinations.
>
>This would retain almost all of the current drivetrain design and
>components, easing the burden on manufacturers and dealers.
>
>I'm all for sharing my current commute route with hundreds more bike
>commuters - don't think it's going to happen till bikes are much more
>casual-rider friendly.  Relatively flat commute routes are one thing -
>the gear-naive might get by. Stick a few hills in the way, or a couple
>of windy days, and they'll find it either too time consuming and/or too
>hard and bag it.
>
Yes.  And while they are at it, why not enclose the whole shebang to
protect it from the elements?  Welcome to the three speed hub; for a
while, Raleigh even sold a bike with a five speed hub.  As best as I
can guess, this sort of hub was done in by the appeal of having ten
speeds...you know, that way the bike will be slightly more than three
times faster than if it only had three speeds (and just think how
fast a bike with 24 speeds should be).  The Sturmey Archer three
speed hubs worked well with minimal maintanance; I still outfit
friends who want a reliable bike to ride a few miles each day with
old three speeds rescued from police auctions, garage sales, and worse.
 
..Richard E+17
 
From: Mike@f88.n106.z1.fidonet.org (Mike)
Sender: Jpunix@urchin.fidonet.org
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
Subject: Drafting etiquette?
Date: Sat, 26 Dec 1992 10:03:02 -0500

GDS> The best cyclists I have ever been with are experience
GDS>mountain bikers on recreational rides.  More than once, I have been
GDS>discouraged by trailing everyone else.  If I ever made a comment
GDS>suggesting that I leave, the experienced ones replied that if I
didn't
GDS>keep going, I wouldn't get better.  People have hung back with me
to
GDS>figure out what I could do better.

My experiences also. The help, advice and encouragement I receive when
I
started riding my mountain bike off-road, from folks I only met on the
trails, instilled in me a desire to help and encourage anyone I can
that
will accept advice. If the person I'm trying to help doesn't appear
to want advice, I just go on about my business and forget about them.
This attitude, to help out where I can, has carried over to my rides on
my road bike also.

 * SLMR 2.1a *       Take my advice, I don't use it anyway.

Xref: sparky rec.bicycles.misc:1711 rec.bicycles.marketplace:1716
From: A10377@waccvm.corp.mot.com (Michael Duke)
Subject: Re: dogs & rocks
Organization: Motorola
Date: 28 Dec 1992 14:23:18 MST


> 3. It's good sporting fun!  If you live in a doggy area, you'll soon
> find yourself going out of your way to look for targets!
>
> Frank Krygowski  ae505@yfn.ysu.edu.
>
> "The real reason for 20 pound bikes is so you can carry more rocks."

   Sounds like a few of those rocks reside in your head. If you think
it's "good sporting fun" to throw rocks at dogs I'd say the dogs have
good reason to chase you. Why don't you go "out of your way" to avoid
them if your willing to go out of your way to look for them. The dogs
don't know any better but you should.
From: Bob_Parker@QM.IS.LMSC.LOCKHEED.COM (Bob Parker)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
Subject: Re: TANDEM reviews desired
Date: 23 Dec 92 16:57:34 GMT

In article <1h9pjmINNmtf@usenet.INS.CWRU.Edu>, ak398@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Frederick W. Romell) writes:
> 
> 
> This is simple.
> 	My wife and I have decided to purchase a Tandem.
> 	We went to a local bike shop and tested a
> 	Burley Rock and Roll and C'dale's.  
> 	So we're okay on one, but does anyone 
> 	have any comments of the other tandems out there.
> 	Nashbar's, Ibis', etc. 
> 	It must fit both of us. She is 5'3" and I'm 5'11".
> 	back and front respectively.
> 
> 	Any advice is greatly appreciated.  THANKS!
> -- 
> <<ak398>>  Frederick W. Romell
> 
You may want to subscribe to a tandem only newsgroup.  Contact wade@hobbes.ucsd
edu  
Xref: sparky rec.bicycles.misc:1815 rec.bicycles.tech:2877
From: bg055@cleveland.Freenet.Edu (Stewart Rowe)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc,rec.bicycles.tech
Subject: Re: Automatic transmissions for bikes
Date: 31 Dec 1992 16:12:40 GMT
Organization: Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (USA)
NNTP-Posting-Host: hela.ins.cwru.edu


Mr. Whitmore's experience reminded me that, about 1960, a Dutch
mini-car was sold with a continuously variable belt drive.
Right, V-belts! You need a driving and a driven variable-pitch
shive, and connect these with some device to adjust them
according to load applied. Sounds like it would have the same
problems Mr. Whitmore mentioned, though.
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
From: canderso@nyx.cs.du.edu (Chuck Anderson)
Subject: Re: Need to read : Are you an idiot?
Reply-To: canderso@nyx.UUCP (Chuck Anderson)
Organization: Nyx, Public Access Unix at U. of Denver Math/CS dept.
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 92 21:18:03 GMT

> jasmith@admin1.memst.edu (John) writes:

Such ignorant jibberish that I'm willing to bet he's pulling our leg.

>                What is going on in your head?  Your asking for trouble doing
>       stupid stuff like that.  I see these people and some times I'd like to
>       open my passenger door and knock them down or just run them off the
>       road.

Please don't do this.  Remember, should you ever cause harm to a cyclist,
you have documented the fact that it was pre-meditated.

>       And you know what's really bad.  I'm a fellow bicyclist.

That's a joke, right?  Perhaps you ride a bicycle, but you're obviously not
a "fellow bicyclist," let alone even a "bicyclist."

Sounds like you've been taking too many steroids to me.

--
  *************************************************************************
     Chuck Anderson                uucp    :         uunet!nyx!canderso
     Boulder, Co. (303) 494-6278   internet:         canderso@nyx.cs.du.edu
  *************************************************************************
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
From: tommy@boole.att.com (Tommy Reingold)
Subject: Re: Need to read : Are you an idiot?
Reply-To: tommy@boole.att.com
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel, NJ, USA
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1992 02:56:14 GMT
Originator: tommy@hilbert

John from Memphis asks who are these people who ride in heavy traffic
because it's so dangerous.

I ask you, John, who are you?  Who are you to blame the potential
victim of danger?  Who are you to blame someone of exposing himself to
danger when you are the person presenting the danger?  Should a rapist
blame his victim because, after all, she was in a dangerous place at
the wrong time?
-- 
Tommy Reingold
AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel, NJ
tommy@boole.att.com or att!boole!tommy
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
From: jas@miro.com (Jim Shankland)
Subject: Re: Need to read : Are you an idiot?
Reply-To: jas@miro.com (Jim Shankland)
Organization: Miro Systems, Inc.
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1992 23:45:18 GMT

In article <1992Dec30.105216.4788@admin1.memst.edu> jasmith@admin1.memst.edu (John) writes:
[oh, you know what he wrote]

This article so closely matched the stereotype of the illiterate,
Southern redneck that it was surely a practical joke.  The user name
(jasmith) and the absence of a last name from the full name field
are also clues that someone who wishes to remain anonymous
is trying to make Memphis State look ridiculous.  Let's not fall
for it.

jas
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
From: august@athena.mit.edu (Susan K. Raisty)
Subject: Where to mailorder 26"x1" tubes?
Organization: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Date: Wed, 23 Dec 1992 23:29:52 GMT

Subject line says it.  I can't seem to find these tubes ANYWHERE for 
a reasonable price.  Nashbar is always out whenever I call, Performance
doesn't carry them.  The local shop wants ~$7 (!!!!) per tube!   I have
no spares left and am afraid to go anywhere.

Thanks muchly,
sue Raisty
august@athena.mit.edu
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
From: tthiel@cs.uiuc.edu (Terry Thiel)
Subject: Re: Audible greetings (was)Re: Drafting etiquette?
Organization: University of Illinois, Dept. of Comp. Sci., Urbana, IL
Date: Sat, 26 Dec 1992 14:44:29 GMT

gsurbeck@eng.umd.edu (Gregory D. Surbeck) writes:
>	What about roadies?  Does anyone think roadies are more or
>less friendly than mtn bikers.  This question comes in response to a
>recent editorial in a (I think _Bicycling_) magazine.

Well we've had this discussion before on the net and will certainly have it
again.  Although primarily a roadie myself I am often amazed at how much
friendlier mountain bikers and triathletes are than roadies.  Thats probably
why the atmosphere in bike shops has improved as they get more employees who
are mountain bikers.  
-Terry
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc,rec.bicycles.tech,aus.bicycles
From: tommy@boole.att.com (Tommy Reingold)
Subject: Re: Automatic transmissions for bikes
Reply-To: tommy@boole.att.com
Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel, NJ, USA
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1992 21:15:04 GMT
Originator: tommy@hoodlum

rkd@pt.com (Ray Downes) writes:

$ I've ridden with a fair amount of what I'll call casual riders,
$ especially during the pre-index days, who wouldn't or couldn't figure
$ out how to use their multi-gear bike. Many riders even today, owning
$ 14-24 speed bikes, don't know how to get the next higher gear ratio,
$ and tend to struggle along with same maybe 3-4 gear ratios (with at
$ least one of those being a "bad" gear). Worse yet, some manufacturers
$ chose very poor gear combinations, some even with 3-4 "good" gear ratio
$ duplicates!

$ For "the masses", who have no interest in swapping gears, instead of a
$ automatic transmission, how about a intellegent shift lever, i.e. one
$ that decides what the next higher (or lower) gear-inch combo is and
$ single or double shifts as required.

$ I'm picturing a single lever, perhaps using a shift drum as in some
$ motorcycle transmissions, where a single shift "up", does a single or
$ double shift as required. The drum could be matched with predetermined
$ chainring and freewheel/cassettes "sets" (manufacturers would love
$ this), dealers could alter the "set" as required to meet the
$ rider/terrain requirements. The drum would also be "programmed" to
$ disallow bad gear combinations.

$ This would retain almost all of the current drivetrain design and
$ components, easing the burden on manufacturers and dealers.

$ I'm all for sharing my current commute route with hundreds more bike
$ commuters - don't think it's going to happen till bikes are much more
$ casual-rider friendly.  Relatively flat commute routes are one thing -
$ the gear-naive might get by. Stick a few hills in the way, or a couple
$ of windy days, and they'll find it either too time consuming and/or too
$ hard and bag it.

$ Just a thought, probably all wrong ...

No, not wrong, it was done!  I saw it about twelve years ago on a cheap
department-store bike.  You push the lever for a higher gear and pull
for lower.  It shifted either or both derailleurs as needed.  There
were two problems.

One was that it was built with the cheapest parts.  Of course, they
could remedy this problem.

The other is that you could only step through the gears one at a time.
If you were in your lowest gear for a long, steep hill and wanted your
highest gear, you would have to hit the lever nine times, waiting for
each shift, some of them double shifts.

Can someone think of a solution to the second problem above?  If so, I
think this is a viable idea worth reviving.

-- 
Tommy Reingold
AT&T Bell Labs, Holmdel, NJ
tommy@boole.att.com or att!boole!tommy
From: mackinto@oasys.dt.navy.mil (David Mackintosh)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
Subject: Re: Advice on Trainers
Date: 29 Dec 92 20:33:23 GMT
Reply-To: mackinto@oasys.dt.navy.mil (David Mackintosh)
Organization: Carderock Division, NSWC, Bethesda, MD

In rec.bicycles.misc, rajacobs@plg.uwaterloo.ca (Rory Jacobs) writes:
>Rollers:  Since this is most like road riding, no damage should be
>done to your bike.  (There are no pot holes on Rollers).  However
>should you fall off your rollers at say 25 mph and crash into whatever
>is in front of you that's a differnt story.

Unless you have extremely heavy wheels (lead-filled), when you come
off your rollers (I never have, but then I don't try sprinting on them)
you're not going to take off and fly into your TV or whatever else is at
the other end of the room.  The rotational inertia is not enough to
propell you more than a couple of feet.

Some rollers have the fan or mag unit mounted between the two rear drums
(outside the rails) instead of behind them.  This seems like an extremely
poor design to me, since riding off the edge will cause a lot more damage.

David Mackintosh
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
From: josh@Happy-Man.com (Joshua_Putnam)
Subject: Re: Drafting etiquette?
Reply-To: Joshua_Putnam@happy-man.com
Organization: Happy Man Corp., Vashon Island, WA 98070-7399
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 1992 22:08:20 GMT

In <1992Dec24.162010.16723@news.ysu.edu> ae505@yfn.ysu.edu (Frank Krygowski) writes:

>About friendliness of cyclists (and people in general):  I agree
>about people from cold, wet climates being less friendly.  I'm
>not sure about how it happens, but I've found people in THIS cloudy
>area to be less friendly, and... get this... I was born & raised
>here!

There are definitely cultural differences, but cold and rain
can't be the only factors.  I've found Washington riders
friendlier on the road than Southern Californians, but the
variations within Washington are at least as great as the
differences between Washington and California.

>As to cyclists, more specifically, in our area, there are indications
>that the "performance" oriented cyclists around here are less friendly.
>There are 3 clubs within shouting distance.  Two are mostly racer
>wannabees, ours is absolutely all kinds of cyclists.  The next closest
>club is dying now, and their members are moving to our club.  Why?
>When a ride's posted, the jocks are unfriendly, then ride off at 25 MPH
>leaving the new rider wondering what they said.

There is definitely a strong snobbish trend among some "serious"
cyclists, as in any activity.  But I'd hate to tar all
performance riders with the same brush.  Some of the friendliest,
most outgoing riders I've met are racers, and some of the nastiest
are clueless beginners.  Some riders write me off as worthless
because of the bell on my aero bars -- I can hear them laughing
as I pass them.

Getting back to the original drafting ettiquette question, it
reminds me of some riders I met last summer.  I was riding solo,
they were a group of four who came up behind me and asked where I
was headed.  I wasn't going anywhere particular, so I asked where
they wanted to go.  They were lost, trying to find a local park,
so I said I'd show them the way.  After I'd pulled for a mile or
so into a ~30mph headwind, I heard the back rider tell his friend
I was riding too slow, so they should blow me off and go.  Then I
heard him grunt when he actually pulled out into the wind.  None
of them offered to pull, but they didn't blow me off, either :-)
-- 
 Joshua_Putnam@happy-man.com    Happy Man Corp.  206/463-9399 x102
 4410 SW Pt. Robinson Rd., Vashon Island, WA  98070-7399  fax x108
 We publish SOLID VALUE for the intelligent investor.  NextMail OK
Info free; sample $20: Send POSTAL addr: Solid-Value@happy-man.com
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
From: karen@athena.mit.edu (Karen E. Walrath)
Subject: Re: dogs & rocks
Organization: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 22:08:25 GMT

In article <1992Dec21.143955.9155@bnr.ca> rob@bnr.ca (Robert Perkins) writes:
>I'm sure rocks work great, and you can throw them
>while riding, but personally I've found a "wrist-rocket" slingshot
>with steel ball-bearings to be the best antidote to Georgia hounds
>(when I lived in Georgia).  For those of you who don't know what
>a "wrist-rocket" is, it is a slingshot that uses surgical tubing
>for elastic.  
>
>Rob
>
Sounds neat.  How do you make one?  Certainly bikies have plenty of 
used up bearings for ammunition!

Karen Walrath
MIT
Xref: sparky rec.bicycles.misc:1821 rec.bicycles.rides:628
From: lpratt@slate.mines.colorado.edu (Lorien Pratt)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc,rec.bicycles.rides
Subject: Bicycling through the Everglades?
Date: 31 Dec 92 18:03:53 GMT
Distribution: na
Organization: Colorado School of Mines

Hi,
  My husband and I will be attending a wedding in Fort Lauderdale over a 
weekend in March, and we were thinking of driving down to Homestead,
renting bicycles, and cycling into Flamingo and back in 2 days.  We've
driven the homestead<=>flamingo route a few times, and it seems like it
might be a great (flat!) cycle (quite a change from the rocky mountain
biking we've been doing!).

  I wonder if anybody:
    o Can tell us a good place to rent (good) bikes in or around homestead?
    o Has ever done this route, and has comments?
    o Can tell me if the hurricane damage is so bad there that we don't
      want to consider it?

Thanks in advance for any pointers or suggestions!
Please send email.

  --Lori




-- 
L. Y. Pratt                           Dept. of Math and Computer Science
lpratt@franklinite.mines.colorado.edu Colorado School of Mines    
(303) 273-3878 (work)                 402 Stratton                
(303) 278-4552 (home)                 Golden, CO 80401, USA      
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
From: harry@cv.hp.com (Harry Phinney)
Subject: Re: Personally importing a bike ???
Organization: Hewlett-Packard Company, Corvallis, Oregon USA
X-Newsreader: Tin 1.1 PL4
Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 23:14:54 GMT

tomk@netcom.com (Thomas H. Kunich) writes:
: However, if you fly to Europe and buy a new bike you could probably
: not have bothered. European bikes generally have pretty )(*& paint
: jobs and the price is almost identical to what you could buy it for
: here.

From my experience the primary determining factor is the exchange rate
at the time you are importing the bike(s).  In 1985 I purchased two
Cinelli Super Corsas (equipped with Super Record) in Milan and had them
shipped to the US.  The bikes cost around $900 each including shipping
charges and customs duty.  This was a lot less expensive than buying
them in the US, but the exchange rate was right at 2000lira/$.  I agree
that at today's exchange rate it is probably not worthwhile.

: Most of the time the duties and taxes are
: pretty insignificant compared to the risk.

Importers of complete bikes are (or at least were as of 1985) assessed
duty at 11%.  I have no idea how used bikes are handled.  I understand
the duty on components is quite a bit lower.

Harry Phinney   harry@hp-pcd.cv.hp.com
From: adam@cbmcats.UUCP (Adam Keith Levin-Delson)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.misc
Subject: Ammonia as a Dog Deterrent
Summary: Do NOT use Ammonia!
Date: 21 Dec 92 14:47:01 GMT
Organization: Commodore Applications and Technical Support

In article <1992Dec20.201233.4335@seas.gwu.edu> freytag@seas.gwu.edu (Richard Freytag) writes:
>I have heard people suggest using a water bottle filled with Ammonia.  One
>squirt in the face and the dobie is otherwise engaged.  Pretty important
>to not confuse your NH3 with your H20 bottle!
>
>-Richard Freytag

I had heard this too, so I carried some on a particularly dog-infested ride.
The first time I used it, the effects were so unpleasant that I not only went
back the next day to check on the dog, but called a few vets in my area to
ask if Ammonia was a good deterrent.  They all said that ammonia could cause
ulcerations of the eyes and nasal tissue, and strongly recommended against
using it.

I can see the benefit of conditioning dogs to not run onto the road, and I have
little sympathy for the dog that actually takes me down, but I couldn't stomach
seeing another dog writhing in pain like that first one was.

I now carry a canister of "Halt!" (Capsaicin, "hot pepper").  At least that is
advertised to wear off without harm.

Adam Levin-Delson  CATS - Commodore Applications and Technical Support
UUCP: {uunet|pyramid|rutgers}!cbmvax!adam domain: adam@cbmvax.cbm.commodore.com
BIX: aklevin   mail: 1200 Wilson Drive / West Chester, PA 19380 USA
voice: +1 215.431-9180   fax: +1 215.429-0643