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

(Example: Framebuilding:Paint)

From: "Diane Feldman" <feldmanbike@home.com>
To: "Steve Freides" <steve@fridayscomputer.com>, "Classic Lightweights" <Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org>, "Sheldon Brown" <CaptBike@sheldonbrown.com>
References: <5.0.2.1.1.20010402214154.00a5ab30@pop.erols.com> <3AC93571.EC2962A5@fridayscomputer.com> <v04210112b6ef8d1ede5d@[10.0.1.9]>
Subject: Re: [CR]The idle ramblings of a freewheeler.
Date: Tue, 3 Apr 2001 08:34:22 -0700


That 1981 Raleigh, if built from a frameset by a "pro" bike store, would almost certainly had a chainset with 42/53 rings, and a freewheel like 13/15/17/20/23/26, or 13/14/15/17/19/21. Half-step systems, like Sheldon says, were a 1950's and 60's thing. They may have been a product of underdeveloped rear derailleurs as well as fronts. Rear derailleurs have become steadily better at absorbing the slack chain created by a larger difference between chainrings. I'll cite the first Dura Ace group, which coupled a 130mm bolt pattern crankset with a minimum ring of 39t along with a rear derailleur which could absorb much more loose chain than a NR, Simplex Criterium, or similar.

David Feldman


----- Original Message -----
From: Sheldon Brown
To: Steve Freides


<Classicrendezvous@bikelist.org> Sent: Tuesday, April 03, 2001 7:28 AM 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