Larry Black asked:
>(Sheldon and lexicographers - these shoiuld be sprockets or cogs? I
>say sprockets)
Good question. Jobst Brandt has a bee in his bonnet that "cog" refers to a single tooth, and dictionaries back him on this...except that "cog" can also be seen as a shortened form of "cog wheel."
I prefer "sprocket" but sometimes use "cog" to save typing. I would never assert that somebody was wrong to use "cog" to refer to a sprocket. I do, however, cringe when people use the singular "cog" to refer to a cluster/cassette/freewheel/block.
Although there's no technical distinction, I generally use the terms "cog" and "sprocket" to refer to rears only. I normally say "chainwheel" or "chainring" for fronts.
Interestingly, in the BMX world, the opposite tradition applies...when they say "sprocket" they mean the _front_ one. The rear is generally called the "freewheel."
Speaking of cyclexicography, I'm currently fighting a rear-guard action to preserve the traditional meaning of "platform pedal" The fact that only one make and model of platform pedal (MKS GR9) remains in production suggests that the handwriting is on the wall.
I think I'm going to lose this one, and it will go the way of "alpine gearing" acquiring a totally different, less useful meaning.
Sheldon "Still Has A Soft Spot For Lyotard 23s" Brown
Newtonville, Massachusetts
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