Bicycle Mechanics - Open thank you note to Sheldon Brown

Sheldon,
You may not have invented the wheel, but you do a great job explaining it to the chimps among us, like me. Most of what I know about how the systems on bikes work came from reading and re-reading your pages. Within a few months I went from not even knowing how to take a chain off to having the confidence to assemble a bike starting with a bare frame. Your articles on fixed gear riding fascinated me and encouraged me to try it. Not only have your writings helped me learn, they have also encouraged me to experiment. I seldom use stock cassettes. Following your guidance, I roll my own to obtain exactly the gearing I want. You have enriched and inpired my life as a cyclist.

Thank you for your contribution to the knowledge base of cyclists throughout the world.
Regards,
Raymond

I'll second that!

Sheldon Brown for President or King!!!

L8R

I will third that.

For years, Sheldon's website has provided valuable information to bicycle collectors and mechanics. He has information you can't find anywhere else for love or money.

Sheldon has been very kind enough to write to me on several occassions to answer questions.

Three cheers for Sheldon Brown; Hip Hip Hooray, Hip Hip Hooray, Hip Hip Hooray!

Sheldon has been very kind enough to write to me on several occassions to answer questions.

I actually asked him a question a few weeks ago about bike sizing and he responded within the hour, I was impressed. I don't agree with some of his opinions but he's a great resource.

I fourthen (is that a word) that

Indeed. But, I have to confess that I have taken a certain pleasure seeing Mr. Brown listed as a "newbie". After all we all know he's anything but. In some ways it is heartening: even Sheldon "newbie" Brown started out as one at some point. You, too, can become as knowledgeable as he, if you want to. That's encouraging.

Cheers,
Jamie

P.S. I have emailed him a couple of times. His answers were so thorough. And I thought, how does he do it? How does he handle the volume of mail, a regular job, time on the bike, time for his son's trombone recitals? He must type at least as fast as he rides.

But, I have to confess that I have taken a certain pleasure seeing Mr. Brown listed as a "newbie".

I didn't know he was a member.

I only recently heard of Sheldon when I was after some information about chain length calculations. I ended up looking at his website, and like all of us who have been through it, there is an amazing amount of content and information to satisfy the hungriest of folk in pursuit of bike knowledge.

I was amused by his photo, the one with the big bushy beard and odd looking hat with the eagle and flag perched on top of it. What came to my mind is a dishevelled looking fellow who'd just come down from the woods for a picnic and was on his way back. I think the nearest I could liken him to is Tom Bombadil.

That he has a prolific knowledge of all things bike is way beyond anything I could ever know. He would seem just at home with a 1925 October (steel/brass) issue of the Scratchy Crank 4 speed chainring as he is with the ultra light XTR. That of course is very reassuring for those us who have access to someone who is willing to share that knowledge, and write about it in a way that is informative and entertaining when it needs to be.

I've learned a lot in a short period of time.

Thanks Sheldo, for sharing your time with us.:beer:

I thank you even though my girlfriend groans everytime I bring up your website. (She knows something is gonna get ripped apart.) :D

He is SHELDON (HE DA MAN!!) BROWN

I just finished reading the single speed stuff over at Sheldon's web site. I have an old, steel Dawes road frame with horizontal drop-outs. I think I'll give it a try. Have some serious hills here in SW Missouri, tho. I'll need a pretty small gear.

I also would like to thank Sheldon for the hours and hours of interesting reading that his site offers. I often use his work for reference when building a bike, he saves me time and money by helping me choose the correct component the first time. Thank you Sheldon for sharing your knowledge and experience with us, We do appreciate it.
Someday I hope to visit Harris Cyclery in Newton MA and meeting Sheldon in person.

I too, have been thankful for the very prompt and helpul e-mail responses I've gotten for my questions to Sheldon. The man is a mensch (a little Yiddish I picked up while living in N.Y.C-loosely tranlated: A Gentleman and a Scholar). :)
Rich

And, you have a cute and talented daughter Mr. Brown.

http://www.ccs.neu.edu/home/tova/

If I understand him correctly, I would say he was a true Retro-Renaissance man: mathematician, observer, questioner, musician, multi-linguist. The Art Carney to the world's Jackie Gleason.

Being a true newbie to biking you have helped me with many things!
Thank You!