[CR]Fwd: Where do you get your bicycle history?

(Example: Racing)

Date: Tue, 4 Nov 2008 19:46:45 +0200
From: "Amir Avitzur" <walawalaoxenfree@gmail.com>
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
In-Reply-To: <f8b7efd12840.4910a58f@netvision.net.il>
References:
Subject: [CR]Fwd: Where do you get your bicycle history?

As a kid I read Bicycling! Even then, I could see that a lot of what was written didn't jive with my experience on the road. I'd hate to think that old Bicycling! magazines are being considered historically correct today. (Same goes for a whole slew of bike books from that period.)

A lot of the articles in Bicycling! in the 70's seemed to be spoon-fed by the advertisers. I wonder if 40's and 50's French or Italian bike mags were any better.

So here's my question:

Where do you get your bicycle history?

I ask because, in all this talk about Q factor, only one or two sources were quoted ... none of whom were totally impartial. On the other hand, no scientific data was presented by anybody.

(If I was a manufacturer of cranksets with pedal lips, I would look for a good excuse to eliminate them as they ad substantially to the cost of manufacture ..... Why not say it's because riders want a lower Q factor? )

On the other hand, in all the talk about cotterless cranks, many early versions were found easily enough (but not in French Cycling Mags).

Amir Avitzur Ramat-Gan, Israel

Anyway, my thanks to Dale Brown, Morgan Fletcher, Jan Heine, Robert Broderick and others for trying to preserve some of that history ...

I just wish that the "75 Years of Cycling Passion" book, would have a big disclaimer in the front saying "Sponsored and Supported by your Friends at Campagnolo S.r.l." ... (why is it that Campagnolo always comes to mind when books or articles play quick and loose with the facts?).

One more thing: There are ergonometric/anatomical studies of bodies in motion. These studies help shot putters, swimmers, high jumpers, pole vaulters, tennis players, etc. improve their game. Such studies could easily put real numbers on this Q factor issue. So Nick's crack about his derrier is perfectly legitimate.