General Cycling Discussion - Sheldon Brown Fan Thread! Share here

I was looking on the forums and the internet and i couldn't find any kind of dedicated Fan Page to the Incomparible 'Capt. Bike'... I thought this a pity as Sheldon's sage advice and free page has helped me out countless times. So decided to make a thread -this thread- where people might show their appreciation if they are so inclined.

I have mailed him a few times with questions on things such as JIS headsets, LED lighting etc. He always gave me a quick and friendly reply, and this is a guy that gets hundreds of mails a day and has a busy and active life. How about you? What has he helped you with? By mail or through his page?

Sheldon himself has a little tidbit in his journal about being at a bike convention. Then a speaker asked the crowd how many people had been personally helped by Sheldon's advice and a huge nr/majority raised their hand. I can't seem to find this entry, anyone know where it is?

So here is my salute and thanks to Sheldon:

May your beard grow much longer yet and your page remain evermore free and on-line!!!

:)

Sheldon Brown rules! And the more I delve into his page once in a while (there's a lot to read if you dig) the more I like the guy.

Well considering he sells bicycles and parts why not just buy something.

Sheldon who? (http://www.bikeforums.net/search.php?searchid=1518897)

I suppose it's logical, but I literally fidgeted with glee when I was mooching through the Mechanics forum and found some posts by Sheldon Brown, crazy helmet and all. I guess I felt like it validated all of BF to have him lurking.

I hearts his webpage. Plus, I like his wife's name.

@ Wid,.. well i think he just works at that store and doesn't own it. And of course i have bought parts there. But i wanted to do something more, something to say thanks to him rather than the store. :)

@ Lectron.. Senior Member and you don't know Sheldon..? Shame on you! ;-)

Nah only kidding, but check his page and you'll see what we mean. At first is seems deceptively simple. Then when you start browsing you see it is 'Huge!' and packed with some great info. I have never known him to give bad advice or be "wrong" as such. I know a lot of knowledgable people when it comes to bikes. I even consider myself one to a degree. But i don't know a thing compared to Sheldon.

Good guy.

Great site, comprehensive and easily accessible to the newbie. I thanked him by buying my Sora STI from Harris Cycling when I upgraded my downtube shifters on my ol' Bianchi.

A thread of appreciation is a nice gesture, too.

I enjoy reading Sheldon Brown's sage advice on bicycles and their upkeep. Thank you Sheldon for creating pages that are easy to read and clear in content and photographs/illustrations. And explaining the difference between a horizontal or nearly horizontal (prefered) to vertical rear dropouts for ss/fixed or internal hub usage. Also why steel is superior to aluminum when you want to install a new rear hub.

This information helped me avoid alot of expensive mistakes when I selected frames.

@ Wid,.. well i think he just works at that store and doesn't own it. And of course i have bought parts there. But i wanted to do something more, something to say thanks to him rather than the store. :)

@ Lectron.. Senior Member and you don't know Sheldon..? Shame on you! ;-)

Nah only kidding, but check his page and you'll see what we mean. At first is seems deceptively simple. Then when you start browsing you see it is 'Huge!' and packed with some great info. I have never known him to give bad advice or be "wrong" as such. I know a lot of knowledgable people when it comes to bikes. I even consider myself one to a degree. But i don't know a thing compared to Sheldon.

Good guy.

I am sure that much of the information of the Website is for their reference. It's nice that Sheldon wishes to share his knowledge. . .

Perhaps if you really feel a need to do something more. Then maybe you could wash his back or shine his shoes?

@ Lectron.. Senior Member and you don't know Sheldon..? Shame on you! ;-)

Nah only kidding, but check his page and you'll see what we mean. At first is seems deceptively simple. Then when you start browsing you see it is 'Huge!' and packed with some great info. I have never known him to give bad advice or be "wrong" as such. I know a lot of knowledgeable people when it comes to bikes. I even consider myself one to a degree. But i don't know a thing compared to Sheldon.

Good guy.

'Cause i know who Sheldon El Capitan why try to be normal Brown is.
I was only pulling your leg.

I don't take his word as the only truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth though.
But If there's one page that deserves to be acknowledged an number 1 cycling page, it has to be his.

Sheldon who? was really suppose to be a link to all his posts at the forum. Didn't work for some reason.

@ Widj... huh.. that's a joke i take it. Har har then. I would not be so sure a lot of the info on the site is only for his stores' reference. His tone, detailed explanations (very suitable for noobs rather than people who work in a bike store), the fact that his site also has a journal and information for people new to HTML coding etc. etc. would suggest otherwise.

Hey i don't mind sarcasm and such but it is usually expedient to crack jokes on pages/subjects you know...

Anyway, never mind. I hoped this would be a positive thread, so i also hope we can avoid a flamewar and keep it positive allright? :-)

@ Lectron.. ah i see! :-) My bad, yeah i was wondering what was up with the link.

Yeah i agree it is good to make up one own's mind and use many sources when it comes to biking. That is actually one of things i also really like about Sheldon, he is very humble and also infers that his is just an (informed) opinion and not the truth per se. I guess that's one of the reasons he owns so many bikes, when it comes to cycling there are so many "truths" and enjoyable rides that it is silly to have factions or "ultimates". That sentiment always shines through in his writings.

@ Folder Fanatic: He also saved me from some costly mistakes. My Twenty folder is pretty much totally inspired by his page and the links on it. If not for that i might have bought something bad/expensive (again).

Well that's already a couple of people in a few hours expressing their appreciation. Let's hope the man himself might browse this way and perhaps even care to comment if he is not too busy.

@ Widj... huh.. that's a joke i take it. Har har then. I would not be so sure a lot of the info on the site is only for reference. His tone, detailed explanations (very suitable for noobs rather than people who work in a bike store), the fact that his site also has a journal and information for people new to HTML coding etc. etc. would suggest otherwise.

Hey i don't mind sarcasm and such but it is usually expedient to crack jokes on pages/subjects you know...

Anyway, never mind. I hoped this would be a positive thread, so i also hope we can avoid a flamewar and keep it positive allright? :-)

Sheldon appears to be a person that can appreciate humor?

And also nice back wash or rub down after a long ride from you the overwhelmed affectionate admirer. . .

He da man.

I wanna Sheldon Brown t-shirt

I've used his site more than any other, save BF, for advice on repair, maintanence, specs, etc. I even went to Harris Cyclery to get an unusual tire size I could not find anywhere else, not even on Ebay. Without his site, I wouldn't have known where to get that tire. I probably would have had to buy a new wheel in a more popular size.

I guess the internet has exposed Sheldon's lifelong love affair with bicycles to public scrutiny and allowed his generosity of spirit to affect a worldwide audience.

He has earned all the respect he enjoys, both on this site and in the cycling community at large.

Dissing this guy would be like calling Eddy Merckx mediocre- you just can't do it!

Thanks Sheldon. I liked reading your non-cycling stuff, too...............

I got a fixed gear bike this year after reading about them on Sheldon's page. Loads of fun.

My next bike will have a nano-drive (http://sheldonbrown.com/nanodrive/index.html) 40 speed drive train, and a real man saddle (http://sheldonbrown.com/real-man.html).

I think cycling and Sheldon have been mutually good to each other. Without the bicycle this picture would instill fear and loathing in the village instead of respect and admiration.

http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/8696/sympowhlscb2ts.gif

Sheldon Brown is indeed on this forum. MAybe not now but he is a member (donating in fact) His site is very good.

His site is an information gold mine and the wheel building guide made building my first wheel fast and easy.
Thanks

i love how he always looks so insane... it's amazing... so whimsically insane... :)

Cool! Seems that i am not alone! :-) All Hail to the Nutty King! ;-)

Sheldon Brown ROCKS!!!!

He is my favorite cyclist aside from myself.

Sheldon Brown ROCKS!!!!

Jobst Brandt ROLLS !

Sheldon's site is great and he's answered a few dumb emails from me (will this old Japanese thingy go together with this old Italian thingy). Sheldon rocks.

Sheldon Brown for President!!!

I've been back into cycling for only 5 or 6 months now so every once in a while I come across a term I don't recognize -- off to Sheldon's Glossary I go.

It ain't the prettiest place to look at by any stretch, but it's one of the more useful websites I've ever seen.

Sheldon Brown for President!!!
LOL! I should make some bumper stickers:

"Don't Blame Me, I Voted For Sheldon"

He sounds like a great guy. I visited his site and found his bike information to be great, but, even more important to me, I finally found someone whose musical tastes are very kindred to my own...which is pretty rare.

It's a site I'll visit often in the future, so you can count me in as a Sheldon Brown fanboy.

his website really helped me out as a newbie ... answered a lot of questions i was having trouble finding answers to elsewhere ... love how he lays out the pros and cons so that you can decide what's best for your situation

That's quite a few people already! According to Wikipedia:

"Sheldon Brown is an American football cornerback who currently plays for the Philadelphia Eagles. He was 2nd round draft pick of the 2002 NFL Draft out of the University of South Carolina."

Hot Darn! I didn't know he was a Pro Football Player too ha ha! ;-)

Maybe we should start a new Wikipedia entry... "Sheldon Brown is the next president of the USA, and he knows a lot about bikes too."

I had a rear wheel on my touring bike that was having problems with broken spokes during my cross USA tour in 2001. I'm 6'1", 160 pounds, so it's not like I'm a clydesdale. I had it rebuilt in Chicago half way through the tour, but I was still having problems by the time I got to PA and NY.

When I reached my final destination of Boston, Sheldon built me a new rear wheel. It has been BULLETPROOF! Hasn't even gone out of true, even with a full load on the rear. Thanks, Sheldon!

http://img388.imageshack.us/img388/8696/sympowhlscb2ts.gif

i never thought of sheldon as a smoker. perhaps he doesn't light them...

LOL! I should make some bumper stickers:

"Don't Blame Me, I Voted For Sheldon"

http://nbadraft.net/profiles/largepics/swilliams.jpg

sheldon? i'd vote for him!


:P

i never thought of sheldon as a smoker. perhaps he doesn't light them...

I quit smoking cigarettes on June 14, 1968. That photo was from an April Fool page.

I'm also not a gun fan...the tee shirt was a road find...

Sheldon "Clean Lungs" Brown
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| Why can’t computer scientists tell the difference |
| between Christmas and Halloween? |
| |
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| DEC 25 = OCT 31 |
+-----------------------------------------------------+

Sheldon took the time to answer an incredibly obscure question about quick release skewers (he favors the internal cam, by the way). His answer was quick, informative, pithy, and saved me a few bucks.

If I ever get to West Newton, MA, I'm going to drop in to shake his hand and pick up a Harris Cyclery jersey. Maybe I'll buy a Real Man Saddle too.

long live the real man!
http://a3.cpimg.com/image/09/CE/42535433-c643-01D800F1-.jpg

Kudos to Sheldon Brown. I got back into cycling after being away from the sport for about seven years or so while busy with life , and discovered Sheldon Brown's web-site. I thought I knew a lot about cycling, but his site and clear writings has shown me a lot I did not know, and has let me see "known" issues in new light.

Also, he has given me the confidence to really become an aspirational bicycle mechanic. I have discovered a new pleasure of doing maintenance and repair jobs on our bikes (my son's and mine).

I hope to use the things and skills I have learnt from his site in building bicycles from frames for us soon.

Thank you Sheldon.

All the best,

Indeed... what a great contribution to humanity...

life lived not wasting time.

I wish more people could realize themselves even close to Sheldon Brown.

Good luck, and thanks for articles in russian too :)

Thanks Sheldon!May all you have given come back to you a hundredfold.

I'm doing Sheldon for halloween!
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b253/MrOrbea/SB_3.jpg