Re: [CR]The idle ramblings of a freewheeler.

(Example: History)

In-Reply-To: <3AC93571.EC2962A5@fridayscomputer.com>
References: <5.0.2.1.1.20010402214154.00a5ab30@pop.erols.com>
Date: Tue, 3 Apr 2001 10:28:48 -0400
To: Steve Freides <steve@fridayscomputer.com>, Classic Lightweights <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>
From: "Sheldon Brown" <CaptBike@sheldonbrown.com>
Subject: Re: [CR]The idle ramblings of a freewheeler.


Steve Freides asked:
> did racers half-step or only tourists?

Yes, half step was pretty much the norm through the 1950s. The typical chainset would be 46-49 or 47-50. My '61 Paramount came with 49-52, unusually large for a half-step of the era.

Early front derailers were so primitive that they wouldn't shift reliably on wider jumps.

Sheldon "Loves Old Frames, But Not Old Derailers" Brown Newtonville, Massachusetts +--------------------------------------------+ | Never worry about theory as long as the | | machinery does what it's supposed to do. | | --Robert A. Heinlein | +--------------------------------------------+
      Harris Cyclery, West Newton, Massachusetts Phone 617-244-9772, 617-244-1040, FAX 617-244-1041
            http://harriscyclery.com
       Hard-to-find parts shipped Worldwide
            http://captainbike.com
    Useful articles about bicycles and cycling
            http://sheldonbrown.com