Hey Thanks Chuck !
That is a wonderful bit of writing . I'd really like to know when it was written , or when it was copyrighted , or when it was published , or some such date for it .
And it always surprises me , just a little , that apparently the term "coaster-brake" is the ORIGINAL term for that useful little device . And I do dearly love good old New Departure hubs / brakes ( one of the older brand names ) , even if they do require some care when they are reassembled .
It's fascinating to read something from a time when "coaster-brakes" were apparently well known , and well understood , but the "free-pedal" was an emerging technology ! It's very interesting that "back-pedaling" means applying the brake , with no other meaning . I've always enjoyed knowing that the phrase "back-pedaling" came from the realm of early cycling . Example ; "Most people failed to understand why the politician was back-pedaling on that issue ."
And that was written at a time when separate brake mechanisms were "new fangled but effective" . Somehow I doubt the author was referring to "spoon brakes" with those words !
Well , O.K. Chuck , so now we know what to call our little ratchet mechanisms , built into our rear wheels . They are "free-pedals" . O.K. , fine , I'd actually enjoy calling them that , if anyone could understand what I was talking about ! :^) However , this has raised ANOTHER problem in the correct use of the exactly correct terminology ! If you stop pedaling a "coaster-brake" , then you are "coasting" . That is all fine , and clear . I think we can all agree on that . But when you stop pedaling a "free-pedal" , what shall we call THAT ??
"Freeing" ??
Seriously , here's a thought , when you stop pedaling a "coaster-brake" you have DISENGAGED both the drive mechanism , and the brake mechanism . You are "in neutral" . You are simply coasting , silently , with NO mechanism engaged . No mechanism is being used at all , other than those little ball bearings . ( yes , yes , I'm sure there have been plain bushings , and roller bearings too - but almost always ball bearings )
When you stop pedaling a "free-pedal" you are disengaging the drive mechanism , but you are simultaneously ENGAGING those little ratchet pawls , in a completely different manner ! So , some part of the mechanism is being called on to suddenly spring into action ( no pun intended ) .
Since the term "coasting" seems to already have been used to mean something slightly different , we will all need to find another word to use for the process of engaging our ratchet pawls for the intended purpose of freeing our pedals from driving power .
Hey! I suggest that we call the actual device a "free-pedal" , and we call the PROCESS "free-wheeling" . Everyone is asked to please change their vocabularies immediately . :^)
I will include a closing thought , from someone I know who has run his own shop for decades , in a small town in South Texas . He has been heard to say :
"Brakes? Who needs brakes? All they do is just slow you down!!"
:^)
Raoul Delmare
Marysville Kansas
( a small town which is famous for being the home of the grandparents of a
certain Mr. Chuck Schmidt . . . )
============================================== A.W. Romney, "A Cyclist's Diary" published in the late 19th century:
"...At the present time the scorcher class of rider is almost weekly increasing his gear, whilst his neighbor, the potterer (backed in this instance by the experts), keeps to the neighbourhood of 65. I think the day is not far distant when we will all be riding with both a high and a low gear, i.e., a two-speed gear. When we are fresh, and things are favourable, we will use our 80 or 90, but as we tire or the wind rises, the rain falls or the uphills become more plentiful, we shall fall back on the less toilsome 60, or even less. Not only so, but I fancy a time will come when we shall arrive at a compromise between the other two camps of belligerents, the coasters and the non-coasters, and that we will find happiness in the free pedal, which gives rest and yet allows of instant repossession of command of the driving mechanism. Of course, for this purpose, as back-pedaling in the ordinary sense of the word is impossible, one of the new fangled but effective brakes is an absolute necessity..." =======================================================
Chuck Schmidt
South Pasadena, Southern California