HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: aez@juneau.Dataio (Adam Zilinskas,,3539,,)
Subject: Re: performance of "aero" bars for mountain bi
Reply-To: aez@juneau.Dataio
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1992 00:34:41 GMT

I have been using Scot AT4 (original not the pro) for about three years now.

1. There is no significant flex, there is a slight springiness that I appreciate
  when flying down a rocky/gravel road when I have my hands near the bridge.

2. I find grabbing the bars at the outer curves during steep climps helps because:
	+ a more natural grip for me to pull with my upper body.
	+ having my hands more forward allow me to tune my center of gravity better
	  to keep both wheel on the slope.

3. Minor effect, when whizzing down a logging road and blackberry bushes are reaching out,
  the front of the bar help deflect the thorns away from my wrists and knuckles (I have to
  keep my hands inside the loop then). I have to figure out how to connect a brush hog on
  someday, my elbows and knees are taking a beating from said blackberry bushes near 
  my house.%-)
  
  			Adam Zilinskas
  			aez@dataio.com
From: davids@tekig1.PEN.TEK.COM (David Suryan)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
Subject: Re: More tandem purchase advice needed
Date: 12 Oct 92 19:09:05 GMT
Article-I.D.: tekig7.7257
Organization: Tektronix, Inc., Beaverton,  OR.

In article <70845@hydra.gatech.EDU> gt9045a@prism.gatech.EDU (Brian Minsk) writes:
>..................  The main problem is that the Burley is a mountain tandem 
>while we would prefer a road tandem.  I can't deny that the Santana would be
>our first choice barring the price difference.
>
>We don't plan to use our tandem for racing - just touring.
>
>So, again, I'd like to ask if this is a good buy.  Is there much difference 
>using a mountain tandem on the road vs. a road tandem (our impression from
>our short rides on each is that there is a significant difference)?  What
>about the relative merits of the Burley vs. the Santana outside of the
>obvious things such as componentry, price difference, etc.?

Here come testimonials proclaiming one style tandem having superiority
over the other. So here's the one for road tandems. I don't race either
but I do enjoy a high performance bicycle. Most of the resistance
exprienced in riding is air drag and a tandem only has a bit more
drag than a single bike. On our tandem it's easy to just cruise down
the road at 20+ mph. On club rides we're up at the front and I know
on a single bike my wife would be miles behind if it weren't for the
tandem. Down hills are absolutely thrilling.

I've ridden with couples on Mt. tandems. In one instance we got to the
top of a climb at the same time, but got to the bottom of the hill long
before they did. (I can't remember if they had drop bars installed or not).
On a tour last summer there were several tandems on a tour of about 300
riders. This couple had a nice Rodriguez aluminum tandem but before the
end of the tour they had a for sale sign on. Essentially, he liked to ride
road bikes but his wife wanted the more upright riding position. On the
tour he was complaining about how hard it was to keep up with the other
riders and how he could keep up if he didn't have to catch all that wind.

In summary I prefer the road tandem since it's optimized for riding on
the road both in terms of handling and speed. For me a good share of the
fun in tandem riding is that extra speed. From what I've seen of Mt.
tandems you're giving up some of that performance.
Xref: sparky rec.bicycles:23052 rec.bicycles.misc:824 rec.bicycles.marketplace:639
From: mike@pyrdc.UUCP (Mike Whitman)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles,rec.bicycles.misc,rec.bicycles.marketplace
Subject: Schwinn files for Chapter 11 protection
Date: 8 Oct 92 18:29:41 GMT
Organization: Pyramid Technology, Government Systems

The subject says it all. I heard this on the local news at 2:00 pm est in
the Washington DC area. They also mentioned a merger but didn't say who it
could be with. More as I get it.

-- mike --
-- 
                 -=---------  Michael C. Whitman
               ---===-------  National System Engineer - Telecom
             -----=====-----  Pyramid Technology Corporation
           -------=======---  1921 Gallows Road, Suite 250
         ---------=========-  Vienna, VA 22182

	Phone: (703) 848-2050	Pager: (800)sky-page pin# 45300
	    mike@pyrdc.va.pyramid.com -or- uunet!pyrdc!mike
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
From: davevh@microsoft.com (Dave Van Horn)
Subject: Re: custom lighting systems
Date: 15 Oct 92 00:55:46 GMT
Organization: Microsoft Corporation

Frank Ball writes:

>This is the low beam from a car with four rectangular headlights.
>The light is rated for about 200 hours at 14 volts.  

I find that hard to believe.  A friend's car has the headlights 
set up to stay on all the time (standard in Canada?  Or just Canadian
Volvos?)  At an average speed of, say, 30 mph, a 200 hour life would
have his headlights burning out after 6,000 miles, on average.  That's
about six months.  I'm quite sure he doesn't replace his headlights 
twice a year.  Besides, I saw a GE catalog that gave a rated life
of 3,000 hrs on the lo beam and 500 hours on hi beam.
From: miliu@sdcc13.ucsd.edu (zaphod beeblebrox)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
Subject: Commuting in rain
Date: 11 Oct 92 22:14:19 GMT
Organization: University of California, San Diego

Hello.  I was wondering, how do all you folks deal with commuting in
the rain?  I've never done this, but am anticipating at least a few
days of rain occasionally; enough to be prepared for.  A one way
trip to classes is less than two miles.  I figure that I would get a
good set of rainwear designed especially for cycling, and some Zefal
clip-fenders.  What I haven't figured out was how to keep my feet
and books dry.  Should I spray Scotch-Guard on my backpack?  Just
wear an old pair of shoes that I wouldn't mind getting soaked?  Is
there a FAQ on commuting, or general riding in rain?  Thanks.

			Zaphod
			miliu@ucsd.edu
From: dt90nmw@brunel.ac.uk (Nicholas M Wiles)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
Subject: bike lights
Date: 9 Oct 92 15:53:51 GMT
Organization: Brunel University, Uxbridge, UK
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL6]

I am presently researching for a third year degree project. I intend to do something about the phenomenal cost of present lighting systems, namely the Nightsun Team Issue.

I am hoping to produce a lighting system that is as good, if not better than the NTI, but a "tad" cheaper. Failing that I will at least try and improve its aesthetics, as at present it just looks like two lightbulbs stuck on your handlebars.

I would be grateful for any help or views on the subject.

P.S. If anybody out there goes nightriding I'd also like to know which system you use, I am presently using standard road lights which are totally in adequate.
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
From: mikel@networx.com (Mike Lempriere)
Subject: Re: Do Kevlar tires work?
Organization: NetWorx
X-Newsreader: TIN [version 1.1 PL6]
Date: Sun, 11 Oct 1992 20:01:23 GMT

My last flat was a thumbtack some idiot dropped a handful of
when putting up a garage sale sign on a phone pole.  Jerk
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
From: ddozier@daled.net.com (Dale Dozier)
Subject: Replacement for 6v Lights
Organization: Network Equipment Technologies
Distribution: usa
Date: Mon, 12 Oct 1992 22:43:45 GMT



   Does anyone know where you can get replacement parts for
BrightLight lighting systems? How about a good source for 
6volt halogen fixtures if I wanted to build my own lighting
system? I have a 6volt battery system so a 12v light is
not an option. 
Thanks
-Dale

Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
From: sharonl@sco.COM (B. Baggins, at your service.)
Subject: Re: Cyclocross Season! (Date Change!)
Organization: The Santa Cruz Operation, Inc.
Distribution: ca
Date: Thu, 08 Oct 1992 23:02:28 GMT
Keywords: schedule change


In article <1992Oct02.184916.753@sco.com> sharonl@sco.COM (B. Baggins, at your service.) writes:
>
>                     1992 Surf City Cyclocross Schedule
>
>             (All locations are in the greater Santa Cruz area)
>
>October 10th    Cyclocross Clinic
>
>        24th    Scott Creek (Big Creek Lumber property)
>        25th    Lumber Mill (          ditto          )
>
>November 7th    Last Chance (          ditto          )
>         8th    Monterey Bay Academy (new course!)
>
>        21st    National Guard Armory
>        22nd    Boy Scout Course (ajacent to the Armory)
>
>December12th    UCSC
>        13th    UCSC

Due to the National Championship Schedule, the Cyclocross finals are
                         NOW ON THE 12TH AND 13TH!!!
                               (same location)

>
>For more information call Velo Promo at (408) 464-2524
>
>(you can also reply to this account and I'll pass inqueries along 
> to the promotors)
>
>-- 
>This is just another example of how the healthy gum tissue of our
>liberty is being eaten away by the periodontal disease of government
>regulation.  --Dave Barry


-- 
This is just another example of how the healthy gum tissue of our
liberty is being eaten away by the periodontal disease of government
regulation.  --Dave Barry
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
From: jdu@cbnewsd.cb.att.com (john.d.unruh)
Subject: Re: Schwinn files for Chapter 11 protection
Organization: AT&T
Distribution: usa
Date: Fri, 9 Oct 1992 12:59:07 GMT

In article <1992Oct9.121924.14812@nntpd.lkg.dec.com> whalen@starch.enet.dec.com (Rich Whalen) writes:
>
>In article <BvtLxG.ILA@Novell.COM>, kbest@doc.novell.com (Karl Best) writes:
>The news story that I heard this morning (on NPR) said that they were still
>looking for a partner.  The story did comment that Schwinn had fallen on hard
>times because they hadn't kept up with Huffy and Murray.  Huffy and Murray do
>well because they sell their product in department stores, whereas Schwinn
>depends upon its dealer network.  Schwinn feels that it provides better
>service to its customers this way, but it has lost market share.

I don't think Schwinn has ever sold through department stores, although
they have competed with department store bikes for many years.  Recent
examples are the Sears Free Spirits and the Huffy and Murry bikes.  Older
examples are the Western Auto bikes.  I remember in the 60s and early 
70s that Schwinn completely dominated the bike shop market.  Then when
the first gas price hikes hit in the 70s, imported bikes started to 
appear.  Schwinn continues to sell mostly kids bikes, cruisers, and junky
"lightweights" like the varsity, but the market wanted better multi-gear
bikes.  The imports and upstart US companies like Trek and Cannondale 
gained market share at Schwinn's expense.  In particular, I remember when
Al bikes were really hot and many Schwinn dealers carried Cannondale
because Schwinn was still all Steel.

Living in the Chicago area I get a little additional information.  I have
heard form former Schwinn employees that some problems began when the
Chicago plants unionized and employees demanded more money and benefits.
The ultimate response was to start importing and move almost all US
manufacturing to Mississippi.  The Chicago manufacturing facilities were
closed.  Recently the Mississippi plant was closed.  Schwinn claimed that
manufacturing in the US could not be done.  Currently Trek seems to be
proving otherwise with production in Wisconsin, not too far from Chicago
(a few hundred miles max), though Trek does import their low end line.
I have also heard from former employees that the management at Schwinn is
pretty bad, and that the board of directors was very conservative and they
would never try anything really different.

Rumor has it that Schwinn will be acquired by the joint venture company
they formed to produce bikes in PRC.

>Rich Whalen


John Unruh
From: deb90@ccc.amdahl.com (David E Ben-Jamin)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
Subject: Looking for Polo Players in Bay Area
Summary: I wanna play!
Date: 9 Oct 92 21:18:13 GMT
Reply-To: deb90@JUTS.ccc.amdahl.com (David E Ben-Jamin)
Distribution: ba
Organization: Amdahl Corporation, Sunnyvale CA

Hey! If you or someone you know plays polo (bicycle, not equestrian) in or around the SF Bay Area,
I would like to hear from you and start getting some matches going.  I hate having to drive to 
Chico, Tahoe, Nevada City or Sebastopol just to play polo. I've been playing for about four years now
but not a lot recently.  E-Mail to this account (deb90@JUTS.ccc.amdahl.com) if you play or are 
interested in playing.  

Thanks,

David
-- 


I don't need a .sig.
Xref: sparky rec.bicycles:23210 misc.kids:26242
From: shenry@cs.rice.edu (Sam Henry)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles,misc.kids
Subject: Re: 10 speed bikes
Date: 16 Oct 92 16:56:18 GMT
Organization: Rice University, Houston

In article <16OCT199212255838@eldyn.gsfc.nasa.gov>
goldberg@eldyn.gsfc.nasa.gov (Patti Twigg) writes: 
>Hi all. I would like opinions on if a 10 speed bike is appropriate
>for a 7 year old. ...

Most young children will rapidly convert a multispeed bike of any
gearing arrangement into a one speed bike.

On top of which, 7 seems a little young to be trying to coordinate
anything more than pedaling, steering, and braking.

-- 
sam henry <shenry@rice.edu>
Wanna ride?
Xref: sparky rec.bicycles:23156 rec.bicycles.marketplace:689
From: mcgrew@ichthous.Eng.Sun.COM (Darin McGrew)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles,rec.bicycles.marketplace
Subject: Re: custom lighting systems
Date: 13 Oct 1992 20:25:53 GMT
Organization: Sun Microsystems, Mt. View, Ca.
NNTP-Posting-Host: ichthous
Keywords: lights

Joshua_Putnam@happy-man.com writes:
>I considered but rejected as too heavy and/or bulky a variety of 
>automotive fixtures, also in 12 volts.  For those with a real 
>craving for light, motorcycle equipment looks promising.  

When I built my lighting system, I looked at both automotive and
motorcycle lighting equipment.  I didn't want to carry batteries
to power the 55W bulbs that are standard for them though.  What I
ended up using is a moped light (21W at 6V/3.5A).  I like the
light pattern the moped light makes too.

I also tried a pair of CatEye halogen headlights (actually, the
Radio Shack clones) with 6W bulbs, but the 6W bulbs generated too
much heat and melted the plastic reflectors.

Darin.McGrew@Eng.Sun.COM               California Prop 161 
    Soli Deo Gloria!                "Physician-assisted death"
                                          Just Vote NO!

Xref: sparky rec.bicycles:23068 rec.bicycles.soc:520
From: mccann@alioth.cc.nps.navy.mil (Mike McCann)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles,rec.bicycles.soc
Subject: Re: Encouraging Commuting by Bike
Date: 9 Oct 92 06:20:46 GMT
Organization: Naval Postgraduate School

>examples -- I hope everyone out there will post whatever programs
>their employers have in place so the rest of us can use those good
>examples to persuade our employers to do the same...

I just read that the Monterey Bay Aquarium just bought 30 new mountain
bikes and GAVE them to employees who would use them to commute to work.

Maybe only a "deep pockets" place like the MBA can afford to do that,
but in reality a $600 bike is a lot cheaper than the real estate needed
to provide a parking space.

Now if we could only get our local jurisdictions to stop providing FREE
parking for private enterprises ...


-- 
Mike McCann                                 | Q. Why do programmers confuse
Computer Center Vis Lab, Code 51  (In-102a) |    Halloween and Christmas?
Naval Postgraduate School                   |
Monterey, CA 93943           (408) 646-2752 | A. oct31 == dec25
From: frankb@hpsad.sad.hp.com (Frank Ball)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
Subject: Re: Do Kevlar tires work?
Date: 12 Oct 92 04:15:08 GMT
Organization: HP Signal Analysis Division - Rohnert Park, CA


I have worn out several sets of Specialized 27 1 1/4" K4 Kevlar belted
tires.  I get far fewer flats with these tires than any others I have
tried, but they are far from perfect.  The belt only covers the middle
portion of the tire, nails off to the side will give you a flat.  After
a few thousand miles the belts seem to desintigrate (Jobst talked about
this), when they get old the turn into ordinary tires and start getting
more flats.  The belts are stiff and the tires give a much harsher ride
and less traction for cornering.  I have gotten nails that hit the center
of the tire, jammed up between the tread and the belt for 1/4", were slapping
on my fenders, and I just stopped and pulled out the nail-no flat.

I wouldn't use anything else on my commuting bicycle.  I would never 
put them on my good road bike because of the harsh ride, poor traction,
and extra weight.

Frank Ball   1UR-M          frankb@hpsad.sad.hp.com
Hewlett Packard   	    (707) 794-4168 work  (707) 538-3693 home
1212 Valley House Drive     
Rohnert Park CA 94928-4999  KC6WUG Seca 750 XT350 IT175 DoD#7566 I'm the NRA.
From: timevans@gn.apc.org
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
Subject: Re: Do Kevlar tires work?
Date: 8 Oct 92 23:58:00 GMT
Nf-ID: #R:9210020537.AA07573@mcs.drexel.ed:776376985:gn:1577900001:000:387
Nf-From: gn.UUCP!timevans    Oct  9 00:58:00 1992


I find kevlar tyres reduce flats but thorns getthro them.
I used to use tuffy tape and it was very effective. I sanded
down the end to prevent cuts and never had one. But it was 
bumpy where the ends overlapped! - does anyone else find this?
As for weight - I commute with quite a few pounds of work
papers etc so a couple of ounces on the tyres (sic, UK)
is neither here nor there.
Tim
From: marcs@slc.com (Marc San Soucie)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
Subject: Re: roads & inconsiderate motorists
Date: 15 Oct 92 02:02:16 GMT
Article-I.D.: slc.1992Oct15.020216.15141
Distribution: na
Organization: Servio Corp, Beaverton Oregon, US

"Michael Smith" <p00004@psilink.com> writes:

> Hope this doesn't seem too cynical, but cops are past masters at 
> soothing the ruffed feathers of the citizenry with vague assurances. 
> Then they head straight for the doughnut shop and forget the whole 
> thing. 

No donut shops out here to speak of. Cops gotta eat something else. Don't 
know what yet.

    Marc San Soucie
    Portland, Oregon
    marcs@slc.com
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
From: thomas@bitrot.in-berlin.de (Thomas Driemeyer)
Subject: Re: Avocet Cyclometer
Organization: Thomas Driemeyer, Berlin
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1992 11:53:37 GMT

In article <1apl2sINN7ir@overload.lbl.gov> chris@carnival.lbl.gov (Chris Moll) writes:
>Roger Marquis writes:
>>Don't get me wrong, I think the Avocet design is the best (except for
>>the buttons activating on _release_).
>And the lack of an easy way to clear all functions at once.

Just the opposite of Intel: good design, poor implementation. I have an
Avocet 50, and it works fine except that it ejects the batteries when I
drop it from just about any height, and it retains its state for about
0.5 nanoseconds when one of the batteries falls out. I never managed to
get the total distance over 2000 km. Batteries also last only 6 months
(before replacement, half that). Time to heat up the glue gun again...

Anyway, still the best bicycle computer I ever had. I especially like the
coil sensor (as opposed to reed switches), and to be able to reset
everything separately. Lots of little details done The Right Way, like
the increment/decrement arrow for numerical setups. Except - no 24-hour
clock in "metric" mode. Confusing.

Thomas
-- 

--
Thomas Driemeyer        thomas@bitrot.in-berlin.de        voice: +49 30 8924936
From: gareth@bcsaic.boeing.com (Gareth Beale)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
Subject: Need info on lighting systems
Keywords: lights commuting
Date: 7 Oct 92 20:38:08 GMT
Distribution: usa
Organization: Boeing Computer Services, Seattle

I have been biking regularly most of this year, and now try to commute 
a couple of times a week.  Now that the days are getting short, I've 
discovered that my front light is woefully inadequate.  I currently have
one of those cateye halogens that use 2 "C" batteries.  They appear to 
be fine for being seen, and you don't need it to see your way on lit
streets, but part of my route is on a bike/jogging trail (Sammamish
River trail for those of you in the Seattle area) which has no lighting.
I nearly ran into a set of posts that keep motor vehicles out on my
first trip in this week.  

My question is what is a good lighting system?  I have a friend that
uses the nightsun, which I'm sure is very good, but also costs about
$200.  My cateye was $15.  Surely there is some middle ground here.  I'd
like to hear about what others are using, especially those who commute.
I don't really tear up the tarmac (my average speed on a commute is
15mph or less), so I don't think I need a very high power system.  The
cateye I have is about 1.2 watts.  In the Performance catalog there's a
model with 6 or 10 watt options.  What's a resonable power?

In summary, I'd like to hear about your lighting systems, specifically:

1. Price and source of purchase
2. Power (wattage) and how well it works for you.
3. Power source (recharge, batteries)
4. Ease of installation, and quick release (does a handlebar bag obscure
   it?). 
5. Weight.
6. Quality (reliability, durability, any other nice features)
7. Suitability for commuting.

Gareth Beale (206)865-5375  #
Mail Stop 7A-35             #  e-mail:
Boeing Computer Services    #  gfb@sdc.boeing.com
P.O. Box 24346              #  or:
Seattle, Wa. 98124-0346     #  gfb%sdc@atc.boeing.com
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
From: josh@Happy-Man.com (Joshua_Putnam)
Subject: Re: High beam problems (was Re: roads & inconsiderate motorists)
Reply-To: Joshua_Putnam@happy-man.com
Organization: Happy Man Corp., Vashon Island, WA 98070-7399
Distribution: na
Date: Wed, 7 Oct 1992 20:49:30 GMT

In <Bvr9po.1F2@fc.hp.com> koren@fc.hp.com (Steve Koren) writes:

>Peter Hickey (pete@aix1.uottawa.ca) wrote:

>> >  (Now, if I can just find a mongo spotlight to blink in drivers' eyes when
>> >  they refuse to turn down their high beams at night, then I'd be truly

>I have a 35 watt headlamp that I mostly keep pointed down at the road
>about 20 feet in front of my bike.  Before my recent change to a new
>mounting system, I could swivel this light by hand when riding.  If
>somebody didn't dim their brights for me, I swiveled the light up to a
>level position.  

With my 20-watt halogen headlight, I've found that passing
my hand in front of the lens to block the light momentarily
usually works for people who've simply forgotten to dim
their high beams, leaving only the idiots who don't think
they should dim their high beams.  Pointing the light
straight at them usually gets the point across.


-- 
 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
From: edelosh@brazil.psych.purdue.edu (Edward Delosh)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
Subject: Re: Specialized Transition
Date: 15 Oct 92 19:22:15 GMT
Organization: Purdue University

In article <Bw6GB7.6B@mentor.cc.purdue.edu> edelosh@brazil.psych.purdue.edu (Edward Delosh) writes:
>Anyone know anything about the Allez Transition?  I came across one at
                                ^^^^^
I meant the Specialized Transition, of course....

--

Ed DeLosh 
Purdue University 
edelosh@psych.purdue.edu
From: marcs@slc.com (Marc San Soucie)
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles
Subject: Re: Commuting in rain
Date: 15 Oct 92 02:00:05 GMT
Article-I.D.: slc.1992Oct15.020005.15037
Distribution: na
Organization: Servio Corp, Beaverton Oregon, US

zaphod beeblebrox (miliu@sdcc13.ucsd.edu) writes:

> Hello.  I was wondering, how do all you folks deal with commuting in
> the rain?  I've never done this, but am anticipating at least a few
> days of rain occasionally; enough to be prepared for.

In San Diego? Right...


> What I haven't figured out was how to keep my feet and books dry.

1) Booties if you've got the bucks, baggies if not.
2) Garbage bag inside the backpack.


> Should I spray Scotch-Guard on my backpack?

See above.


> Just wear an old pair of shoes that I wouldn't mind getting soaked?

Booties usually end up being worth the bucks. The shoes will get wet 
eventually, but for a 2-mile ride you'll stay dry.

    Marc San Soucie
    Portland, Oregon
    marcs@slc.com