Manufacture d'Articles Vélocipediques Idoux et Chanel (MAVIC) was way
ahead of the game with all their components having sealed annular bearings beginning in the mid 1970s.
Chuck Schmidt South Pasadena, CA USA
On Aug 3, 2007, at 8:12 PM, Rachel & James Valiensi wrote:
> Hullo,
> One could replace all the ball bearings in a SR/NR group will
> ceramic balls. I bit of the best of both worlds.
> Cheers!
> On Aug 3, 2007, at 6:11 PM, Chuck Schmidt wrote:
>
>>
>> On Aug 3, 2007, at 4:01 PM, Donald Gillies wrote:
>>
>>> Actually, most people are COMPLETELY WRONG about the drivetrain
>>> losses. Today's $600 drivetrain can be built ONLY because they are
>>> using high-friction sealed bearings in the hubs and the bottom
>>> bracket, and usually, in the headset and pedals. The cup-and-cone
>>> stuff from the 70's has lower friction when properly adjusted (even
>>> vs. ceramic sealed bearings.) So there is reason to believe that if
>>> you don't miss a shift, you will be FASTER on a vintage bike,
>>> especially on the flats.
>>>
>>> However, as we all know, aerodynamics has the greatest impact on
>>> performance above 20 mph, and in that area there has been little
>>> progress as much of the losses are from the rider, not from the
>>> bike.
>>> We'll have to wait for evolution to make improvements there.
>>>
>>> The one area where aerodynamic improvements are possible is in the
>>> wheels, however, excluding monocoque wheels, I'd be surprised if
>>> today's wheels are measurably better than retro 28h wheels.
>>>
>>> - Don Gillies
>>> San Diego, CA, USA
>>
>>
>> I believe you are COMPLETELY WRONG about bearings, aerodynamics
>> and wheels Don.
>>
>> Chuck Schmidt
>> South Pasadena, CA USA