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Bikes or projects that Sheldon Brown has helped you with.

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Bikes or projects that Sheldon Brown has helped you with.

Old 02-21-07, 05:18 PM
  #26  
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I haven't built any bikes or have any projects on the horizon, but Sheldon's site is a treasure trove of information. I guess the most importand thing (safety-wise) I got from his site was the correct way to brake. I was using mostly my rear brake. I now use mostly my front.

I haven't graduated to the "Real Man" saddles yet, though.
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Old 02-21-07, 06:02 PM
  #27  
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Double front chainring, internal rear hub touring setup
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Old 02-21-07, 06:36 PM
  #28  
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every bike I own. and I really like the front brake on the right, that's probably the best thing I've gotten from him.

Thanks Sheldon
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Old 02-21-07, 07:11 PM
  #29  
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Sheldon's site provided inspiration and information for making my old blue Miyata touring bike into the bicycle you see in the photo.

He had a more direct hand in helping out with my next project. He posted several replies to my questions in the thread that led to the frankenbike hybrid-geared monstrosity of a Rampar you see in the next photo. The 27" wheel that I built for that bike eventually graduated to a nicer Schwinn frame, where it served me well for several months before I traded it to Little Darwin for some other parts.

The advice on Sheldon's site again came in handy, when I realized that re-dishing and re-spacing a wheel was indeed as easy as he claimed - allowing me to turn that Schwinn into my first single speed.

My other bicycles have all been influenced in some way by Sheldon, in either style, my use and appreciation of solid, no-nonsense parts, or the simple desire to do something a little bit wacky and different. Without his website, I simply don't think that I would be riding and wrenching bicycles - at least not nearly as much or in the same way that I do now. Thanks Sheldon, for making your knowledge available and thanks for all the additional time you spend here, at other online resources and in real life explaining, clarifying, helping out and generally making life easier and more fun for all of us out there who ride on two wheels.


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Old 02-21-07, 07:45 PM
  #30  
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I've learned many things from him, but most important one is wheelbuilding. I followed his instructions and was able to build my own road and MTB wheels, as well as some friend's. And now I'm not so bad at it!
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Old 02-21-07, 08:10 PM
  #31  
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Back in 2004 I bought a Nexus 7 which had nothing, no brake, no shifter, nada. He helped me out by selling
me the needed parts when local shops made a big deal out of it. I also read his site a LOT for info and repair help. Thanks Sheldon!!

This is the bike the Nexus ended up on. A far cry from most of you guys bikes, but hey I like it ....

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Old 02-21-07, 08:44 PM
  #32  
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I don't have any specific builds/pics, but I've gained a wealth of information from visiting Sheldon's site...especially when I started out cycling and was unfamiliar with a lot of the terminology and repair stuff. The section on servicing cup and cone hubs came in very handy a few weeks ago when I overhauled the front hub on my bike.
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Old 02-21-07, 08:51 PM
  #33  
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No picture...but I must agree, Sheldon inspires so many folks. I was so inspired I grabbed my Dad's pre war c. 1930 Raleigh Sport, reportedly one of two bikes imported, yes, an IMPORTED bike by Ben Olken. The three speed hub was a marvel in the States, I think my Dad may have been spoiled...a tad....and he rode this bike all over Cambridge. 70 years later, due to Sheldon's site, I put air in the tires and rode it to his shop 4 months back. Sadly, he was not there, Sonny was busy with watching a bunch of 12 year old kids on BMX bikes...so I turned around and went home. Yes, the bike worked the whole way on rotted original tyres. Someday I hope I can ride it over when Sheldon is there and say thanks. 30 years ago I bought my first bike from Harris when they were on the south side next to the movie theatre. SMALL WORLD! The bike I built over the weekend caused me to review Canti's and "mechanical advantage" and his "on line gear calculator". I don't think a weekend goes by that I don't have to double check something! And now I commute! Not only has Sheldon contributed to the "how to" aspect, but so much more to enjoying the utility of reward of two wheeled transport! Encore!!!
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Old 02-21-07, 09:00 PM
  #34  
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My home-built tandem was inspired by Sheldon- best bike project ever. Here are links to pictures of the process for anyone interested.

https://mattsbikes.googlepages.com/my...etandembicycle

https://mattsbikes.googlepages.com/homemadetandem
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Old 02-21-07, 09:23 PM
  #35  
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Sheldon single handedly got me into cycling I believe

A simple google search for bike repair info turned into a passion and a hobby
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Old 02-21-07, 11:20 PM
  #36  
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Originally Posted by dwoloz
Sheldon single handedly got me into cycling I believe

A simple google search for bike repair info turned into a passion and a hobby
You know, that was basically my experience. I rode my bike but didn't know anything about cycling or bike mechanics. I had a squeaky freewheel, googled for "bike repair", and found Sheldon's site
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Old 02-21-07, 11:25 PM
  #37  
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When I was trying to decide on a bike to get back into riding, I came across Sheldon's site and his writings on internal hub gearing. My favorite mult-geared bike had always been my mother's 3-speed, but until Sheldon, I did not know there were hub gears with more than 3 speeds. Thanks to this revelation, I bought a Breezer last April, resumed a much-loved activity, and scuttled any plans to purchase a car. I can count on one hand the days since then I have not been on my bike. Thank you, Sheldon.

And thank you also for a website that has been a great help to me in learning to care for my bike properly.
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Old 02-22-07, 09:08 AM
  #38  
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Here are some: Sheldon's article on French bikes encouraged me to build up my improved Motobecane Grand Jubile from a bare frame. Since then I have built up several bikes starting with a bare frame. This Bianchi Trofeo is one example. I also have completely disassembled, cleaned, lubed & maintained as needed then freely added on or improved my bikes with help found on Sheldon's site. Don
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Old 02-22-07, 01:42 PM
  #39  
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I first encountered Sheldon Brown's site when I decided to get back into biking after I retired. I got out my long neglected commuter, a 1980 Schwinn World Sport, and went to a bike shop to see about getting it whipped into shape. I soon discovered that everything I knew about bikes was wrong, or at least obsolete. A search of the web turned up Harris Cyclery and I was in business again with a new chain, repacked hubs and bottom bracket, new (straight) rear axle and trued wheels. A friend was trying to talk me into a new bike but Sheldon's web site helped me to make the bike I already had work like a new one.




While working on the Schwinn, I ran across the single speed/fixed gear pages and read them with great interest. I decided that I needed one of those too. After a couple of months of research, dreaming and parts shopping, I put my first fixed gear bike together in early September. Whenever I worked on the bike, the computer was on and Sheldon was right there looking over my shoulder, as I built the bike that is in my avatar. Harris provided the crank, stem and saddle.



Within a week, I was hooked on fixed gear riding. With the approach of winter, fenders were bought and installed and the Schwinn began to get jealous as it sat in it's corner and watched me head out the door with the "new" bike. I had seen some Kogswell info on Sheldon's site and thought that I might like to have one of those, if I ever built another bike. A short time later there were some Kogswell G frames being closed out on eBay and the little voice in my head said "Buy It Now". I did. I built my first wheelset for this bike. I had read the books by Jobst Brandt and Gerd Schraner and found them both very informative but it was a printout of Sheldon's wheel building pages that sat by my side as I laced up that first wheel. I have had no trouble with these wheels and don't expect to have any. The bike is fast, fairly light (23lb.) and so quiet that I'm gone before the dogs hear me coming.





That spring, a NOS 1987 Schwinn Super Sport frame found it's way to my door and, with NOS parts from as far away as Cyprus, I made it into a 14 speed road bike... Suntour hubs, deraillers, shifters and cassette. This was my first dished rear wheel and, once again, Sheldon's instructions helped me over the rough spots.



There is one more bike but I don't have any photos of it yet. The photo of the Super Sport was taken in the morning of June 26th. That afternoon, I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and began new and different phase of my life. I had surgery in October and am recovering well. The outlook is good for me at this time. As I began my recovery, I decided to build a bike that would be easy to ride on the somewhat rough roads we have around here and maybe to explore some of the gravel roads... away from traffic and noise. I bought an old, steel MTB frame... a Trek 800. I built a wheelset with Sun RhynoLite XL rims, 13/14ga single butted spokes, a Shimano XT hub in front and a White Industries eccentric in the rear. I have a 16 tooth fixed cog on one side and a 17/19 White Industries freewheel on the other. This gives me 67.7 gear inches when I'm feeling good and riding on flat pavement or 56.9 gear inches if I'm having a bad day or riding in the hills. I know this because Sheldon has a nifty gear chart on his web site. The rear hub eccentric works within the range of adjustment of the rear brake pads with these three cogs. I know that because Sheldon told me that it might be a problem and I made some measurements before buying the brakes... works like a charm. Since this was my first MTB wheelset, I was not sure about the tire size/rim width. No problem... just looked it up on Sheldon's site. It's a nice riding bike... soft tires, relaxed geometry, upright riding position... a little brake squeal at first but a quick trip to Sheldon's site and the "Shimano Squeal" was exorcised.

Thanks, Sheldon. You have made the computer my most important bike repair tool.
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Old 02-22-07, 05:35 PM
  #40  
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Originally Posted by Dogbait
I first encountered Sheldon Brown's site when I decided to get back into biking after I retired. I got out my long neglected commuter, a 1980 Schwinn World Sport, and went to a bike shop.
Thanks, Sheldon. You have made the computer my most important bike repair tool.
The red and yellow one is gorgeous.
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Old 02-22-07, 05:49 PM
  #41  
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sheldon's site helped with wheel building for me thanks
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Old 02-22-07, 06:31 PM
  #42  
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Too many inspirations to mention, including fixed gear, French info, and this 3-2-1 fixed-free-free deal.
That'a 50x19 fixed, 50x20 and 40x28 free. Do you like making measurements and plugging numbers into charts? Then this just may be the project for you.

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Old 04-19-07, 05:05 AM
  #43  
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I just stumbled across this thread while Googling for something random involving bikes - so I joined

Like others here, I'm very sorry to hear of the health problems plaguing Sheldon (being no stranger to them myself). The biggest thing I attribute to him is the fact that I'm not the only one who places the brake lever on the other side to everyone else!! In Australia (riding on the left) you often need to indicate with your right arm to turn right - and braking with the left hand while signalling is of course better. Sheldon - thank you for helping me realise I'm not unique in this regard!

The other thing his site has taught is that there is a bike for every purpose; I'm now up to four (much to my mother's chagrin) and thanks to his site I now maintain them myself instead of letting the bike shop have all the fun!

Sheldon certainly is a legend in this area
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Old 05-03-07, 07:29 AM
  #44  
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i have no pictures but i often reference his page for small repairs on my bikes. im a newbie to bike mechanics and 'do it yourself' work. slowly im building my confidence and he has certainly helped with some tricky situations.

thanks sheldon
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Old 05-03-07, 02:20 PM
  #45  
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This is my 1st "sheldon" ride!!

Thanks
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Old 05-03-07, 02:31 PM
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I wouldn't really call my cyclocross project bike a Sheldon bike. But I did read quite a bit of stuff on his site when I was buidling it, such as stuff about compatibility between indexed shifters and deraileurs. Also his page about biopace rings inspired me to give them a shot. There is a ton of info on his site, and I have barely scratched the surface so far.


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Old 05-03-07, 02:33 PM
  #47  
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Picked up this Falcon at a garage sale. Stripped her down and repacked every bearing. Added aero brake levers, ergo bars, dual pivot calipers, drilled rear bridge to accept said calipers and replaced all the cables. Sheldons advice over the years I have surfed the net helped me out. Thank You Mr. Brown!

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Old 05-03-07, 03:10 PM
  #48  
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Nishiki commuter

Tons of help....BB removal, chain length, derailler install/adjust,



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Old 05-03-07, 05:44 PM
  #49  
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Built the bike up from parts, including the wheels using Sheldon's instructions, and generally consulted his site for information on everything else, especially parts compatibility etc. His site was especially useful because i used a lot of new-old-stock parts from eBay, from a period spanning about 15 years, so his info about things like older Hyperglide cassette bodies and stuff like that was invaluable. He also answered a bunch of my questions on the forum regarding issues i had with the build.


bigger version


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Old 05-04-07, 12:04 AM
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sheldon told me the derailleurs/shifters i had were incompatible, but i got them to work, sorta, sometimes, when it's not too damp. he also told me to get a bigger frame, again i ignored him. he told me to get a cassette hub over freewheel hubs - i ignored him. things i did listen to him on - the goofy sprung seat, the cheapo stem, index shifting, choice of frame.

so if you like my bike - thanks, i built it myself.
f you don't like it - it aint my fault, man. blame that kook sheldon brown!

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