Thursday, April 23, 2015

You Can't Spell "Invention" Without "Vent"

Back in 2007 when I started this blog, I wrote it anonymously and avoided contact with people at all costs.

Now, eight years later, I've abandoned both anonymity and pride, and here I am on my knees begging you to come see me at the Walz booth at the Bike Expo New York:


By the way, why are so many cycling event titles reversed?  I find it pretentious.  "Bike Expo New York?"  Why not just "New York Bike Expo?"  "Gran Fondo New York?"  Why not just "New York Gran Fondo?"

And so forth.

At least they don't call it the "Bike Tour Five Boro."  

Anyway, I mention the Bike Expo because I have more details for you about my presence there, and here they are:

--I will be at the Walz booth on Friday, May 1st and Saturday, May 2nd, from 12-2pm, where I will sign your personal effects and accept your lavish gifts;

--The first 12 visitors to the booth on both days get a free--FREE!--special limited edition BSNYC hat;

--On Saturday anyone who wants can join me for a ride in the morning.  For the ambitious among you, we'll meet early-ish (figure like 8am) and go for a two-hour stretchy-clothes ride.  For the more sensible among you, we'll meet somewhere in Manhattan (figure like 10am) and then make our way down to the Expo together.  Oh, and the first 12 people to the ride get a free Fred "Woo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!" Speed hat, though I can't possibly imagine there are more than 12 people in New York who would want to ride a bike with me, since I've lived here pretty much all my life and I don't even have 12 friends;

--Once the freebies are gone, you'll get half off any Walz cap with the purchase of a BSNYC cap, and they can also do hat/book combos (meaning a hat and a book I wrote, not a book you can also wear on your head);

--There may or may not be a limited quantity of Fred "Woo-hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo!" Speed jerseys available, but if they're all gone and you still want one you can order it at the booth and Walz will ship it to you for free.

Whew!

I don't know who's more desperate, me or Walz, but it sure works out well for you, especially if you like free hats.

Best of all, then you can wear that hat at the BSNYC Gran Fondon't on May 17th.

This is shaping up to be the best Bike Month EVER!

[end relentless self-promotion]

Meanwhile, by now you've probably heard about the Tampa police using bicycle laws as a pretext for targeting poor, black neighborhoods:


A Tampa Bay Times investigation has found that Tampa police are targeting poor, black neighborhoods with obscure subsections of a Florida statute that outlaws things most people have tried on a bike, like riding with no light or carrying a friend on the handlebars.

Officers use these minor violations as an excuse to stop, question and search almost anyone on wheels. The department doesn't just condone these stops, it encourages them, pushing officers who patrol high-crime neighborhoods to do as many as possible.

Distressing, but hardly surprising.  Last year a study revealed a similar pattern here in New York City.

This is yet another reason to oppose mandatory bicycle helme(n)t laws.

So what sorts of highly dangerous violations are Tampa police enforcing, anyway?

There was the 56-year-old man who rode his bike through a stop sign while pulling a lawnmower. Police handcuffed him while verifying he had, indeed, borrowed the mower from a friend.

There was the 54-year-old man whose bike was confiscated because he couldn't produce a receipt to prove it was his.

One woman was walking her bike home after cooking for an elderly neighbor. She said she was balancing a plate of fish and grits in one hand when an officer flagged her down and issued her a $51 ticket for not having a light. With late fees, it has since ballooned to $90. She doesn't have the money to pay.

So living their lives, basically.  Meanwhile, a typical Portlander will do all three of those things in a single afternoon.  Granted, instead of fish and grits it's usually a sustainably raised charcuterie plate, and the lawnmower portager runs an artisanal bicycle-powered landscaping business he funded through Kickstarter, but I'll guarantee you not a single one of them can produce a receipt for their Speedvagens on demand--and I'll put a frame pump through the spokes of the first putz who says that woman should have been using a CETMA rack:



So apart from not being black, what can you do to avoid getting a bike ticket in Tampa?  Here are some tips from the article:


This one's my favorite:

Riding too slowly

If there is no bike lane, keep up with the speed of cars, or ride close to the right-hand curb. Bike law doesn't specify how close.

Holy crap! Keep up with the speed of cars?  So if there's no bike lane I need to ride at like 30-40mph?

What the hell kind of fucked up city is Tampa anyway?!?

One full of extremely fit racists, apparently.

Speaking of Portland, BikePortland recently covered both on-the-bike air conditioning and that stupid bike periscope, and they did so with typical earnestness:


Though I don't know if you can call something that sits on your handlebars and ejaculates in your face an "air conditioner:



Because if so then that makes Mario Cipollini a Commando 8.

Note the description of the video:


Clearly they're very confident in their product, though I'm not sure why they made me sit through over a minute of drone footage before the guy finally started spritzing himself:


Nice Euskaltel jersey, by the way:


Those guys made Astana seem straight-edge.

In any case, the gold standard of on-the-bike cooling systems remains the KoldRush micturating helme(n)t, which I examined a little over a year ago in great detail--but let's take a quick look at it again, because it's just that good:



Remember Super Dave Osborne and his insouciant helme(n)t strap slack?


The most ironic aspect of mandatory helme(n)t laws is that if you were to wear yours like this you wouldn't get pulled over, yet the risk of strangling yourself when your strap snags a truck's side view mirror vastly outweighs any safety benefits the helme(n)t might provide if it somehow stays on your head during a fall.

As for on-the-bike cooling systems, why not just use the water from your own water bottle instead?  I mean yeah, it's sort of a decadent use of water on a hot day--like the lip balm scene in "The Three Amigos"--but what's the difference really?  If these guys have such a problem with overheating I don't think these gadgets are going to cut it, and it's only a matter of time before they wind up on the side of the road sucking the last bit of moisture from their handlebar jizzers or urinating helme(n)ts as the case may be.

Then there's the periscope, and we've already taken a thorough look at that invention:


Though I was amused to note that the inventor himself left a comment on the BikePortland post:

Mike Lane April 22, 2015 at 9:17 am

Hey guys it’s the Pedi-Scope guy. Thanks for the feedback (albeit brutal, ha ha) and thanks Jonathan for posting. I’m going to take your feedback and go another direction (literally). I’m going to design a rear facing Pedi-Scope and will launch it sometime in late May (that’s the beauty of getting a posting on a real-deal bike blog, you get real-deal feedback from real-deal bikers). If you are interested please be sure to look for it on Kickstarter then. Thanks again!

Hey, I posted about your crackpot idea first!  What the hell am I, chopped liver?!?

"Real-deal bike blog" indeed.

I hope he's kidding about the "rear facing Pedi-Scope" thing though, because I'm pretty sure that's just an incredibly stupid way of saying "rear-view mirror," and he's about to enter a crowded marketplace:


("Rear facing periscope on the wall, who's the dumbest inventor of them all?")

They even make ones that go on your helme(n)t--though I'm not sure if they're compatible with the KoldRush.

Perhaps Mr. Lane should invent a helme(n)t mirror with a windshield wiper.

Penultimately, here's another invention that's going to make both the bike and the car obsolete my incorporating the least practical aspects of both into one vehicle:



It's got a windshield:


And doors:


And even a state-of-the-art dick-breaking system:


Yet beneath the sleek, modern exterior lies what is essentially just a crappy exercise bike:


It looks like Batman's velomobile swallowed a Citi Bike.

Seriously, they couldn't have made the cockpit just a bit more comfortable?

Hopefully there's a system to restore sensation to your genitals, because if you attempt to stand and relieve the pressure you'll hit your head on the ceiling.

And what is it about Americans that we can't envision a form of practical cycling that occupies the vast middle ground between "charity rider" and "fully-faired freak?"


Though I admit it's a very handy vehicle for the many, many people who live in quaint, seaside bungalows with bike lanes in front of them:


I'd love for the inventors to attempt riding this thing over any bridge bike path in New York City and report back.

Sure, I'll pull you out after you get stuck, but I get to take your picture first:

Lastly, here's a bike with a revolutionary "new" downtube:



Which was last seen on the Colnago BiTitan:


Here's the description:

Lattice space frame down tube

The lattice space frame down tube is an integral part of the frame's structure, reducing lateral bottom bracket pedalling flex, yet keeping some compliance for comfort. The space lattice frame on all our bicycles is engineered to put rigidity where it is needed and compliance where needed to ensure speed and comfortable ride. The space lattice acts in a similar way to an oversized down tube, however having two tubes further apart spreads the stress load as far out as possible on the 92mm-wide bottom bracket, while keeping some vertical compliance. Very aggressive riding styles, like singlespeeding, result in down tube flex and loss of power through the bottom bracket. OLSEN BICYCLES designed the space lattice to optimise lateral rigidity, so pedalling energy is translated very efficiently into forward motion.

As a bonus, it lets mud fly all over the place:


I suppose bespoke canvas downtube mudguard will be next.

108 comments:

Unknown said...

Podio

Anonymous said...

podiation yo

Anonymous said...

Podium

Did you not see me pointing to you???

Anonymous said...

early bord gets the wirm

Ted K. said...

Maybe instead of saying “podium” we can post excerpts from the Unabomber Manifesto.

Anonymous said...

Because

NYC Bike Expo

was first.

Synonymous said...

Down periscope

Andy said...

Top ten!

Pathetic Old Cyclist said...

top ten...sneak attack, snobbie!

scott long said...

There is a guy on the Roswell/Alpharetta greenway in Georgia that made his own bright red bike fairing. It is a sight to see and a little like an alien encounter when you have a run-in with him, but it does actually work. I captured him passing me one morning here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akTv5ZwTBSM

Anonymous said...

Is the virtue cycle salmoning?

Anonymous said...

bit off topic snob but next time you're at old man Brooks place can you ask the chaps if the new cambrium will tickle the fancy of a scranus accustomed to a B17 narrow? Thanks, pip pip cherrio, etc.

recumbent conspiracy theorist said...

30 degrees and back to the hat, gloves and jacket for the bikecycle commute. Where'd spring go?

recumbent conspiracy theorist said...

Technically you can wear your books on the head. I wear all three of my editions around the house coordinating the different colorways to compliment my outfits.

Anonymous said...

Good one, Snob!

A long post covering a wide range of bicycle topics, and keeps the high level of acute observation and snark for which we keep coming here.

Like the liar said...

Didn't read it. Ain't gonna!

Bryan said...

Oh my, where to even begin? I guess with that velomobile thing. How in the heck do you fix a flat? Is it like a car and you have a whole spare wheel? Also, if you have a passenger in back, are there pedals or do they get to be freeloaders? I'm sure for the price of that thing I can juts get a scooter...in Europe they have ones that look JUST like that "object" and look more comfortable.
Anyways, I just have to sum up this post by saying SCRANUS! Wish I oculd get up to NYC for the expo.

Anonymous said...

Can't get theah from heah...

babble on said...

You know, you might just be on to something with the whole hat/book thing. Betcha if you put it on kickstarter it would be fully funded within a day or so. Because osmosis.

Oooooh, bespoke. How fitting.

Anonymous said...

Are Mary-Kate and Ashley shilling for obtuse bicycle frame designs now? Did they get the idea for the design from their own emaciated frames? (or maybe it was all that time in the sack with some old French guy talking about Le Tour)

Anonymous said...

Snobs that aren't as highfalutin' even call themselves New York Bike Snob.

dop said...

I cannot be happy. I heard a rattle, while riding through Van Cortlandt Park, not far from Bronxhendge. A quick inspection revealed a large crack at the ass end of the driveside chainstay

Au Revoir Specialized Allez Sport 1994-2015. You died on the morning commute.

dop said...

let's try that again

bad boy of the north said...

awww...I don't wanna see anyone beg.i'll be there.i gotta pick up my bike tour five boro pack anyway.

bad boy of the north said...

25?

Anonymous said...

Josh was here.

BikeSnobNYC said...

dop,

Wow!

Wonder if they will replace it...

--Wildcat Etc.

babble on said...

dop - deepest condolences.

Anonymous said...

vsk said ...

And I would have been King of Comments ... if it weren't for those meddling kids!



vsk

bad boy of the north said...

dop,my sympathies.

crosspalms said...

dop
Ouch. Good thing the shifter cable was there to hold the bike together.
Serously, though, that sucks.

Regular guy said...

Olsen bikes sex-ed lesson:

put rigidity where it is needed and compliance where needed.

Thanks, that helps a lot.

Material Science said...

Bikepedia says the 1994 Specialized Allez Sport has a “ Lugged steel Chromoly, oversize, thin-wall, Specialized” frame. The crack in the photo looks like a fatigue crack. You know how you can bend a paper clip back and forth several times, and then it breaks? Same thing here, except the chain stay flexed a few million times in its 11 year life, commuting the rough streets of NYC. If it makes you feel any better, if you rode those same miles on an aluminum frame it would have failed like this years ago.

(One could speculate that a crash got the crack started, or quick differential cooling when the drop out was originally welded to the chain stay induced residual stress, but we have no evidence to support this.)

Speedy Home Delivery said...

My pizza's on the bottom of the stack. Figures.

dop said...

I could take it back to toga & let them laugh at me. Or send it cod to specialized & get a cease & desist letter in reply. My bike prior to this cracked in the same spot, after 21 years as well. I lucked out in that I found this at low speed & not far from the northern terminus of the #1 train (good morning, Bronx commuters.) I appreciate the sympathy, but I've given up hope of pity sex.

Earth Day Was Yesterday said...

"Au Revoir Specialized Allez Sport 1994-2015."

It is the right thing to do (even if it costs you more in gas to drive it there then they will give you for it):

http://www.schnitzersteel.com/sell_to_us_general_public.aspx

http://www.tntscrap.com/steel-scrap.php

http://rockawayrecycling.com/

babble on said...

lol!! Never give up.

‎Timothy M. said...

Hi Ted

Anonymous said...

Sorry, dop.
Now you can get that new TRI bike.

Anonymous said...

Hey.
Astana gets to keep their license and can race in the Tour.

Material Science said...

"My bike prior to this cracked in the same spot, after 21 years as well."

Do you stand and rock the bike back and forth when going up hill? Hit a lot of pot holes/curbs with the back wheel? Or just ride a light weight frame > 10,000 mile a year for 2 decades? All of these will eventually cause a fatigue crack some where in the frame.

(p.s. Be careful with pity (or any other type) of sex from internet comment board friends. Don't ask me how I know.)

Anonymous said...

NYC five burrito grand fondon't?

Sounds like a challenge. Well, not a bicycling challenge, but that could be a lot of burrito.

Anonymous said...

DOP: I cracked a Nishiki in the same place after 20 years, and many miles. Nishiki was out of business, so could not collect on the 25 frame warranty, and I was ready to upgrade, and I found a nicer Miyata.

Does specialized have a frame warranty? Trek does. My lightweight friend wears out Trek AL frames at 30k miles, but they will replace.

If you love the frame, you can probably get that steel welded that back together. But do you want to?

Anonymous said...

A google search for Specialized frame warranty turns up:

LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY ON BICYCLE FRAMES AND FRAMESETS:

...

Our Chainstays and
Seatstays will now include a 5 year limited warranty.

...

This warranty is void if the bicycle or frameset was not purchased new.

But whatever you do, watch out for this:

Also, some bicycles and components are built to be lightweight, which means they may not be appropriate for riders who are
approaching 250 pounds in weight (over 240 pounds, for example). Riders approaching 250 pounds in weight should not ride any
bicycle equipped with Specialized-branded composite seat posts, handlebar stems, or handlebars.
Failure to follow this warning may result in catastrophic failure of the component or bicycle, which may lead to serious personal
injury or death.

Anonymous said...

dop,

Yes, take it back to Toga! I'd love to see Will's smarmy-ass reaction to that.

dop said...

I think the fatal blow came on the Putnum trail through Van Cortlandt Park. The trail looked muddier than usual, so I went a little bit off the edge and crossed over the tops of some railroad ties that weren't completely buried. I noticed the rattle when I got back on the pavement by the golf course parking lot.

I stowed the remains in the bike room of my mother-in-laws apartment, about 6 blocks from toga. The option to stop by without burning gasoline exists.

I found a living will and a signed donor card. I'll go by sometime and harvest the components. Maybe those folks from Dune will come by for the water in the bidons.

Anonymous said...

Dallas recently rescinded their mandatory helment law after the local new reported a similar trend - almost all of the helmet tickets / stops were urban minorities - - white people riding expensive bikes in stretchy clothes were almost never stopped / ticketed.

Regular guy said...

DOP, had that happen to my old Marin commuter while pulling my kid in a trailer to preschool. Nade it back home and switched bikes.

Marin would only replace the frame if I had the bike re-assembled by an authorized dealer. That was gonna cost me $250, screw that. (the store I bought it from, where I have bought a few bikes and much of my parts from no longer carried them, citing warranty hassles)

I cut out the old dropouts and brazed in some track style dropouts to make a nice single speed out of it.

Material Science said...

” If you love the frame, you can probably get that steel welded that back together. But do you want to?”

Well, maybe. If it were thick wall plain carbon steel chain stay and a stamped drop-out it would easy for anyone to arc or torch weld. But “thin-wall chromoly” is going to have to be TIG welded by one of those artisanal bike builders you all have up there in NYC. If it is even possible without shortening the chain stay or collapsing the tube. Ironically, the better and more expensive the frame the harder it is to fix. Cheap frames, that you want to give to the recycler? Those are easy to fix.

Dave said...

dop - I had a very similar break welded years ago; I had to grind and file it down a good bit before it would fit properly, but the weld lasted another few years until I gave the bike away. The welding only cost maybe $25 then. So it can be done. Is it wise? No idea.

Spokey said...

dop

ignore all these condolences. Rejoice that you can now justify a new ride. you know, like glass 3/4 full.

on the downside, your post made me realize that my cannondale t700 is over 20 years old as it is a '94 as well.

leroy said...

Is it just me, or did anyone else read "space lattice" as "spiced latte"?

BikeSnobNYC said...

dop,

Next time you break down around there do yourself a favor and treat yourself to a Lloyd's Carrot Cake.

--Wildcat Rtc.

Freddy Murcks said...

In other bicycle related news, it appears that Astana will keep their World Tour license. Apparently running doping program under the guise of a bicycle team is totally cool with the mealy-mouthed cowards at the UCI.

Bryan said...

@dop...sounds like it is time to get yourself a Milwaukee frame and build it up ;)

wle said...

those hats would be a great deal for people who don;t think cycling caps look dorkidescent..

oh, wait...

wle

Buffalo Bill said...

I'm pretty sure this blog is a real deal. Considering the laugh/$ ratio is infinity, it's a great deal.

leroy said...

Last night, I figured out why the Specialized I commute on has been feeling a little sluggish.

Rear wheel a teeny bit out of true, but brake rubbing horribly.

I really should do something about that some day.

Wouldn't want to void the warranty.

Anonymous said...

Poll - Is snobby indeed chopped liver?

1) Yes

2) No

3) Don't Care

Spokey said...

leroy

the obvious fix is to loosen up the breake thingee / noodle / whatever kind of break / breik adjustment is on your biek.

any further effort risks sanctioning by the lazy cyclist internationale

Anonymous said...

I remember a freddly stretchy fabric ride where the guy next to me kept complaining that his front derailleur kept shifting up and down on its own.

Took a good look and sure enough it was shifting on its own. Mainly because his seat tube had separated from his bottom bracket.

He was riding a Colnago Bi'Titan.

BamaPhred said...

Mr Snob is in rare form today.

Sorry to hear about your loss Mr. dop but like others have said, now you can buy another bike!

Does the cycle of virtue come with air conditioning? No? Deal Breaker. I'm not falling, again, for the 4/40 air conditioning system that Leroy's Dog keeps selling me.


Nashbar said...

"I found a living will and a signed donor card. I'll go by sometime and harvest the components."

All frames are 42% off and free shipping.

Freddy Murcks said...

I saw an attractive salmon a couple of days ago. i was surprised and pleasantly pleased to see that her skewers were properly closed.

dop said...

I wouldn't void on the warranty.

Milwaukee? I'm more of a scatante kind of guy.

Must try the cheesecake.

Anonymous said...

Another Anonymous:

I tried to fix a friend's bike with a flexy, not yet broken seat tube at the BB. As you pedaled the BB twisted like heck. Impossible to keep the front derailleur from rubbing under load. Once we figured that out we retired that old Nishiki.

BSNYC: Time for post on bikes you/we've worn out?

Anonymous said...

Bi'Titan?

Is that like a gladiator that swings both ways?

Anonymous said...

Do you have an NYC bike to work day? Around here, you get free goodie bags. Can you combine it with the Gran Fondon't? Seems compatible: Bike to Work, or just Bike.

Cipo Snakespear said...

So when I no hands penile steer in Florida I'm breaking the law?

Madone!

Regular guy said...

I had a not so old Benotto break a the the seat tube/bottom bracket joint back in the pre-cell phone Junior days.

Now that was vertically compliant. Laterally compliant as well.

Crazy ride back home that day. No quarter to call mom to come pick me up.

BikeSnobNYC said...

Anonymous 1:21pm,

I've had a couple of frames fail after a short time (both Specialized as it happens) but so far I've never kept a frame for 20 years.

--Wildcat Rock Machine

Anonymous said...

The guy with all the boxes on the rack had BETTER look at the camera since he can't see where the eff he's going!

Pathetic Old Cyclist said...

Dop,

Wow, More like a fracture, or a fissure than a crack! Sympathies to you and all the rest in your stable.

dop said...

The price was right. I just ordered a nashbar chromo road frame for $99. I anticipate hours of fun switching out components.

Olle Nilsson said...

That seaside picture of the enclosed bike is awesome. Why you'd want an enclosed bike on a beautiful seaside ride is beyond me.

But wait, what about stormy wet days with the wind blowing off the ocean, pelting you with rain?

No problem. The crosswind will have you laying on your side in the middle of the road, experiencing a lovely bidet effect.

Olle Nilsson said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mr Plow said...

This is a real deal comment on your real deal bike blog.

crosspalms said...

Got distracted from Tampa's broken justice by broken bikes. It amazes me how much shit black people go through every day that I'll never see because I'm white. Last time I got randomly hassled by a cop was when I had long hair, and I didn't even wind up with a ticket, just gratuitous mockery. And that was MANY years ago.

Mr Rant said...

Wrong blog, wrong rant, but that never stopped me before. Although the most egregious examples of police abuse in the news are in the black community, there are plenty of examples of police stopping people of all ethnicities, around the US, and proceeding to "build the stop" to ruin these people's lives, over nothing. Forget "To Protect and to Serve", it's "To Confiscate and Arrest". Someone has to keep the Corporate Prison System well stocked. I'm surprised Mr Snob didn't get more hassle from his blue suited overlord. I guess they figured he was a small fish and threw him back.

Anonymous said...

Anon 12:57

4) All of the Above

JLRB said...

DOP - A little duct tape and you're good for another 20 years.

RayG said...

Euskaltel also made triathletes look like good bike handlers

recumbent conspiracy theorist said...

Dop -JB Weld

JB said...

No, I don't.

crosspalms said...

Mr Rant,
You and Mr. Toad were my favorite characters in "The Wind in the Willows." Nice work.

Maybe you missed the link to the Tampa story. It was in the middle of Snob's post. I'd have enjoyed it more if the Tampa cops were busting bankers and hedge fund managers for riding without lights, but the paper had to make do with what the cops were actually doing: nickel-and-diming mostly poor black people. This isn't entirely the cops' fault, because it's a political decision to use cops to raise money. We should stop it.

{resume bikery]

Knüt Fredriksson said...

doo,
That's exactly what my collarbone looked like after I lost focus whilst trying to adjust the twisty thing on the shifty thing whilst a was riding.
(Double whilst... Top that!)
You just need a titanium plate and some screws, plus a couple months of physical therapy...

Knüt Fredriksson said...

Sorry: doo = dop.

Anonymous said...

titles reversed:

It's Canajun eh? - "Employment and Immigration Canada", "Bike Snop NYC"...

Chopped liver said...

I'm a vegetarian.

Now what do I do said...

If I knew how crazy she was I woulda neva

Captain Nemo said...

That pizza guy could use a strategicly mounted periscope.

Dooth said...

Ok, I've kept a frame for over twenty years, but I won't mention it because if I do, the frame will crack next week.

Gary Fissure said...

Pediscope with 2 antiautomobile defensive bike launched rocket propelled grenades $499.99 see our full page a in this months BUYcycling magazine.

Anonymous said...

Lloyds Carrot cake after a ride...
Cracked seat tube on a bike bought from Toga...
Gazillion rides through Vanny...
Good times...Good Memories...

Anonymous said...

Lantern rouge on the Thursday run-in…

JB said...

I have a 20-yo mtn bike frame, and it's aluminum (fatigue - gasp). I'm very slowly rebuilding it as a city/cruiser/big-bmx/townie bike. Am I risking my life?

bad boy of the north said...

are they serving spruzza with chopped liver at the expo?

bad boy of the north said...

oh yeah....97 and 98

Material Science said...

"I have a 20-yo mtn bike frame, and it's aluminum (fatigue - gasp). ...Am I risking my life?

Metal fatigue

is caused by repeated loading and un-loading. This happens to bike frames to different degrees when you ride. The more you ride the more loading/un-loading cycles (no pun intended). The rougher the roads/trails you ride on the more cycles, plus the greater force put on and taken off the frame on each cycle. About 1/3 the way done on the Wikipedia page linked above is a chart showing the lower the force of each load/unloading cycle the more cycles that can be taken be froe failure (before it breaks.)

Fatigue cracks start small and get bigger with time. Look the frame over carefully for cracks, particularly at the welds, at he top of the fork, and near the drop-outs and fork ends. No cracks you are likely good to go (assuming a repaint did not cover cracks.)

Anonymous said...

vsk said ...

Ciento !!


vsk

Spokey said...

all this metal fatigue talk has me fatigued. but on the bright side in keeping with my nu 2/3 glass full altitude, i'm going to make spousy read these commentariats.

hoping to use this will justify a trip down to philly in the fall to visit
bilenky and get him to build me a new one of those thingees with 2 wheals.

that is of course assuming steve isn't too tyred like he looks here: http://static.wixstatic.com/media/fd9573_296f5f7c6f294667835289d0f6e578cb.jpg_srb_p_264_345_75_22_0.50_1.20_0.00_jpg_srb

Spokey said...

kudos to vsk. didn't even look. i coulda been a contender if i wasn't screwing around looking for that pic.

Material Science said...

HTML Link Fatigue Failure

BamaPhred said...

Interesting, Material Science. My scranus is fatigued.

Crack Closure: Crack closure is a phenomenon in fatigue loading, during which the crack will tend to remain in a closed position even though some external tensile force is acting on the material. During this process the crack will open only at a nominal stress above a particular crack opening stress. This is due to several factors such as plastic deformation or phase transformation during crack propagation, corrosion of crack surfaces, presence of fluids in the crack, or roughness at cracked surfaces etc. this will provide a longer fatigue life for the material than expected, by slowing the crack growth rate.

I think this applies also applies if one eats binding foodstuffs.

bad boy of the north said...

soooo.....basically,it's "say no to crack".

Spokey said...

where is my freida day fix & quizzling?

Anonymous said...

vsk said ...

I don't think placing 100th gets you any Babble kisses!

vsk

Matthew said...

"By the way, why are so many cycling event titles reversed? I find it pretentious. "Bike Expo New York?" Why not just "New York Bike Expo?" "Gran Fondo New York?" Why not just "New York Gran Fondo?""

Why not "New York Bike Snob" then?