Comments for Bicycle Technology and Patents

Comment on Ceramic Bearings for Catrike Front Hubs by Jackson

Jackson — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:01:13 +0000

I have found that Panzit.com has these bearings much cheaper than VXB or Boca Bearing.

Comment on Adjusting BB7 Brakes on Trikes by Bruce Bunch (trikebldr)

Bruce Bunch (trikebldr) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 08:22:33 +0000

Andy, all of what you say is true on bikes, but we are talking about trikes here. Trikes are a special, compromised application of these brakes.
On a trike, one brake is actually being used backwards! (but, is equally effective as forward!)
Also, the way these brakes have to be mounted, as the trike is loaded, one brake has the rotor moving closer to the outer (fixed) pad while the opposite side has the rotor moving toward the inner (moving) pad.
Trikes have the front wheels mounted in a single-hung fashion, whereas a bike has them mounted in a double-hung fashion. The whole reason for this instruction was to optimize the alignment taking into account all flexing of the single-hung arrangement under full loading of the trike.
Bikes don’t see this condition at all. So, techniques for adjusting these brakes on bikes have no relevance to trikes!

Comment on Restored Motobecane Grand Record by shaver

shaver — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 21:33:35 +0000

I hope it sells. I have seen them on ebay once in a while. If you hve switched to 3 wheels, you should look at Catrikes.

Comment on Restored Motobecane Grand Record by Dave Houghton

Dave Houghton — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 18:37:10 +0000

I too have a ’72 Motobecane Grand Record, same original silver paint. Needs a new Stem and bars. Replaced the old Weiman Center pulls with Shimano Long reach side pulls, replaced the old Brooks with a gel too. Pedals have been replaced with Shimano SPD’s. Rims are newer 27 inch. Everything else is original. Stronglight cranks, Normandy competition hubs, Campagnolo Nuevo Record Changers front and rear. I puchased some used Campy competition hubs to replace the originals but have never gotten them installed. I got the bike shortly after I got out of the navy, rode it for 5 or so years then stored it until the the 1990′s when I started riding it to work. Stopped riding it about 2 years later when I got my Cannondale R800 but it was never as comfortable as the Grand Record. Nothing rides nicer than steel. Unfortunately I now have a neuropathy that prevents me from riding anything with 2 wheels. Am willing to sell to a buyer who appreciates it’s 10 speed vintage charm. P.S. I also have the metric crank puller for the original french cranks.

Comment on Adjusting BB7 Brakes on Trikes by arallsopp

arallsopp — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 12:21:53 +0000

I’d understood the 1/3 2/3 positioning as optimising wear patterns on single side actuated callipers such as the bb7. As the inboard pad doesn’t move under braking, the tendency is for the rotor to be bent across by the outboard pad until it makes contact. This causes it to sit off 90 degrees and accelerates rotor warp and pad wear. Moving the inboard pad closer compensates for this effect, and pads and rotors last longer.

That’s my findings anyway.

Andy.

Comment on Gus Duncan’s Woodies! by Bruce Bunch (trikebldr)

Bruce Bunch (trikebldr) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 22:40:06 +0000

Bicycle art is just popping out of the woodwork now! (pun intended!)
Very nice effect. Was wondering if the wood was applied over a steel frame, or if the whole frame is wood. Looks like the first pic is an all-wood frame. The headtube appears to be fastened on with flat-head wood-screws through those scalloped flanges on the sides. I love the motorcycle-style forks! I’ll bet that ain’t no Brookes saddle, though! Ouch, my butt hurts just to look at it!
VERY nice woodwork!

Comment on Cruzbike recumbent rider sets new world record! by A Field Reid

A Field Reid — Sat, 26 Nov 2011 19:46:49 +0000

Surely worth noting that as far cack as 1967 Beryl Burton set the woman’s (and men’s) 12 hour record on a conventional bike at 277miles……..and a recumbent offers lots of potential advantages (aerodynamics for one) suggesting that the bar should be set higher for this form of road bike.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beryl_Burton

Comment on The Rambler Bicycle by Yussef

Yussef — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 17:43:03 +0000

My Friend Larry Owns A Gormully Jeffrey Rambeler. The Rims Are Made Of Wood And The Tires Are The Original Ones Too.

Comment on Ceramic Bearings for Catrike Front Hubs by Bruce Bunch (trikebldr)

Bruce Bunch (trikebldr) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 00:52:11 +0000

Jim, sorry I didn’t see your post earlier! YES, ceramic globes (Balls) are available separately to rebuild what we refer to as cup/cone bearings found in a lot if bike hubs. You first have to determine what size your old ones are, then go to the VXB Bearing site and look them up. They are generally sold in bags of ten, and cost about $2/each.

Comment on Restored Motobecane Grand Record by J. Todd

J. Todd — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 20:52:24 +0000

I am starting a restoration project on a 1981 Motobecane Grand Touring. THANK YOU for your close ups as I can use these to walk the painter as to what I am requesting.