I have to agree with most all what our good CR members posted, but have to respectfully offer other opinons to some others. Having seen a few riders fall down and break bones when a hand became caught between the tire and seat tube, it's hard to lightly gloss over. When it happens without injury, laughter is usually the best defense in the almost tragedy. Our colleague Jobst does get misled with experiments we can all do if we put on our propellor caps and have limited trials to misconstrue. Almost all of you have had experience with debris being flicked off tires you were finger gloving, saving you flats. It's absolutely correct you lose a rotation or two before getting your fingers in place. But you do it as fast as you can, keeps you on your toes and fingertips. If nothing stuck in your strip, how the hell could you flick off what you felt as it came by? Duh. All the bullheads, thorns, staples, stones, glass, chips of anything ,etc., that got stuck in the casing a few rotations got flipped for the next guy to run over, Very few if they just didn't puncture right through survived the finger test. That's why when you get home, you should check your tires carefully and closely, you can usually spot a piece stuck in the casing and with a screwdriver or knife, flik it out and if it cut through the strip to the casing determine whether a boot or shoe goo will do the job. Shoe goo is the stuff runners use on their shoes when the pavement beats up the running shoes. It sticks quite well to bike tires, clean first with alcohol or other non oil cleaner, let sit a little till dries and casing is happy to get back on the road. Maybe keeps you from flatting on the next ride. Fenders or recessed bolts are no excuse not to have tire savers/nail catchers on your bike. We would either put a hole in the fender end and mount a TS in place, front and rear.With a recessed bolt we shaved down the mounting eye and put it in between the dome and locknut on the brake, or in between frame/fork and brake. You could drill a hole in the BB bridge and bolt it on or put a clamp around the bridge and mount the TS to the clamp. No big deal. Go now and do thou likewise. As to Chuck's Liquid latex coating, I've found that it was more a problem with your locale than not. Coming out of Chicago, and then close to the ocean in California, I (we) never had much of a problem with dryness. If one moved 20 miles inland it gets very dry, like Chuck says and presents a host of different problems. Chuck needed latex, we didn't. We'd ride/race in the dry and then return to our humidity level, no problemo. I would also like to compliment the CR on the "feeling" I get as I read how many of you describe your bikes and riding. I sense the attachment to your irons. They are like family, wife, child(ren), dog. If someone steals one it's as if you have been violated. Rightfully so. I've heard many a gentle cyclist voice violent retribution on the thief of their bicycle, if the owner ever caught him(her-them). We do become one with our bikes. When I loan mine to someone for a test ride, it takes me a mile or two to get my feel and essence back to the bike. That's the way it is. This is why I comment upon the old bikes and their history, and why it so good to see all the consideration the group gives. I was talking with an old rider and collector about my dad's '37 Durkopp hanging in the shop, and told him I may want to clean it up a little and maybe put new cloth tape on. His comment was: 'Absolutely not! Your dad rode that bike, his sweat and love is in that tape, please don't change it! That sums it up doesn't it? I think the CR is maintaining the correct balance between new and pristine factory issue bikes and those used and ridden with the full gamut and spectrum of emotions of previous owners. Let's keep it up! I love it! Ted Ernst Palos Verdes Estates, CA
> On 14 Jul 2005 at 12:37, I wrote:
>
>> While this has precious little to do with classic lightweights, perhaps
>> the funniest thing I ever saw on a bike was when a friend of mine,
>> riding just in front of me, decided to clean his rear tire. He
>> proceeded to get his right hand caught between the tire and
>> downtube, which promptly locked up the rear wheel and firmly
>> attached him to the bike.
>
> Before someone else calls me on this, clearly he didn't get his hand
> caught between his tire and downtube. :-|
>
> John Everett - Aurora, Illinois
>
>
> jeverett3@earthlink.net (John V. Everett)