At 10:51 PM 07/02/2009 -0500, Bianca Pratorius wrote:
>I'm facinated by CF. It seems like such a good substance if one were
>into light weight and good performance - but I hate the idea of this
>crap. You won't be fishing CF bikes out the dumpster thirty years after
>it left the factory. CF is perfect for a disposable society but the
>antithesis of timeless value, beauty and utility.
>
>On an more on topic topic - I love working on bikes so much that I
>actually love the touch and feel of the parts, the frame the balls in
>grease. My wife reminds me that the grease is toxic and that the
>chemicals soak into your body through your unprotected hands. I've
>tried latex gloves but it blocks my feel. Have you modernized your
>approach to bicycle mechanics to the point that you wear gloves while
>working on your bikes? Are you a classic mechanic or have you updated
>your approach with disposable gloves?
That's a great point Garth! I too have noticed the "gloves" thing. Not just the purple surgical gloves used by people not wanting to get their hands "icky", but also the heavier "Mechanix" gloves covered in advertising logos worn people working on cars. These aren't mechanics; they're "technicians" who don't want to get their hands dirty by touching greasy things or get a blister from turning a wrench. They'd much rather be using a laptop or power tools to do the job. Granted, some people may be allergic to certain products and there are other substances so toxic or corrosive that protection is required, but to me wearing gloves to work on a bike would be like trying to fix a watch while wearing boxing gloves. I think most of this is a state of mind with the younger generation because they see technicians wearing gloves on TV and believe most substances are toxic and harmfull. You know, fashion. This neatly ties in with the CF craze. Most of the CF bits sold for cars these days are fake cosmetic items that just look like CF, but are no stronger than cheap plastic.
John Betmanis
Woodstock, Ontario
Canada