Assembly factories still do. And there are 2 types of wired-on clinchers to boot!:eek:

That's exactly what Scandium is, an alloying element added at a low level to Aluminum to improve its grain structure and strength. Scandium itself is about $3000/pound so, even if it was usable as the sole material in a frame, who could afford it?

Obviously there are no true "100% Scandium" frames. I expect the Marketing jargon means all of the frame tubes are a Scandium containing Al alloy.

And of course the front triangle, on many bikes, isn't a triangle at all. Just as the whole bike is not a diamond shape.

No no no no no.

A "stay" is a structural element intended to brace a primary load-bearing element. On a sailing ship a stay is a fixed line bracing a mast. On a truss it's one of those diagonal pieces.

On a bicycle the stays brace the rear axle mounts. There are two pairs: one running from the seat to the dropouts - the seat stays, and one running alongside the chain - the chain stays. Chain stays brace the axle mount against the pedaling force transmitted by the chain.

So "chain stay" is one of the better terms used on a bike. Not stupid at all.

So what's the primary load-bearing element that the stays are bracing?

Derailleur. The purpose of a derailleur is to put the chain on the desired cog or ring. Not to de-rail, which would mean to have it off of the cog or ring.

Hmm, but to get the chain off the previous sprocket, it'd have to derail the chain, now wouldn't it?

...or the plural of spouse, spice?

And then rerail it...

And is it even riding on rails, anyway?

"De/resprocketer" probably didn't catch on... ;)

Could it just be a "rerailer"?

Yes but if it only derailed and didn't rerail you wouldn't be very happy would you?

Sheldon disagrees with you.
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_e-f.html#fork
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_e-f.html#forkend

Sorry. ;)

So.......if I were to list the specifications of my bike in a manner NOT associated with variable bike riding groups, it may read something like this:

-Chromoly metal alloy constructed in a double triangle fashion. Tube joining by non-ferrous metal brazing.
-Ritchey handletubes with radius bends.
-Titec TIG welded Titanium handletube to frame attachment apparatus with a 12cm extension.
-Campagnolo integrated shift and brake actuator mechanisms.
-Sella Italia Flite human rider support module
-Ritchey Pro rider support module to frame attachment apparatus in a 27.2 OD application
-Campagnolo front and rear ratio adjustment devices
-Campagnolo front and rear speed modulation devices
-XRP Pro circular rotation device featuring 24 tensioned support struts each.
-Continental pneumatic traction control devices
-Ritchey Pro dual linear multiple link articulating drive compatible leverage beams in a 175mm length application. Dual ratio defined as two compatible gear wheels in a 39 tooth and a 53 tooth ratio. Opposite beam attachment is achieved through a splined, tubular ferrous metal spindle supported by sealed cartridge style ball bearings. Mechanism to frame attachment achieved by the use of two (one left, one right) threaded bearing support cups.
-Rear forward momentum ratio adjustments through nine linear multiple link articulating drive compatible gear wheels. Various tooth ratios available.
-Rider foot supports are attached to the 175 leverage beams through the use of threaded ferrous spindle (solid) which fitted with multiple sealed cartridge type ball bearings and a spring tension engagement/release plate.


This took me a long time...my brain hurts...I'm sorry I even started this post...."boo" to the OP. :lol:

Yeah... I've struggled with this one too. To explain these to my non-cyclist friends, I usually call them "clip-in pedals" or "pedals that lock to your shoes like ski bindings."

The term "clipless" makes sense historically, but it's endlessly confusing :/

Why do we park on driveways and drive on parkways? We are destroying the language. For centuries now. :rolleyes:

BTW, didn't Sheldon Brown coin the word brifter?

Finally, at least tubulars are correctly called sewups.

No I didn't! I don't know where that persistent slander came from, but it wasn't me!

I do take full credit for "stokid" and for the spelling "derailer" though.

Sheldon "Briftless" Brown

Except that there is only one tube so it should be singular; handlebar.

And just the minimal search of your site shows that you credit Bruce Frech with that.

But it isn't everyone who would turn down such fame! :p

I think you have a really good point, actually! Removing the bike-specific terminology makes it hard for knowledgeable bike mechanics to understand what you're describing, while not really making it any easier for anyone else to understand, either.

So in that sense, the terminology is useful, because it succinctly and unambiguously identifies bike components to people who need to understand them. Really the only cases where it causes confusion are where there's a conflict with a more general meaning of the word, such as "clipless" pedals, or "saddle" instead of seat.

I also dislike the term "bottom bracket", which I had heard bike mechanics say many, many times before I had any clue what it meant myself. I don't know how it's a "bracket", and it's not really at the "bottom" of the bike either. I don't know why we don't just call it the "crank bearing and spindle." But that's probably just me :rolleyes:

I must take this opportunity to thank you for "derailer." I only spell it this way now. Despite being a certified Francophile, I think that "derailleur" looks really silly and unnecessary in English. It's not like it adds any subtlety of meaning, like peloton or domestique, or some of the other interesting French terms in cycling.

Yeah, I think it's funny how single-speed or fixed-gear bikes are said to have "no" gears :)

That's funny, because I agree with him that "The term "rear fork" is sometimes used to refer to the part of the frame that holds the rear wheel." That doesn't mean that I think it's sane or useful, though.

A wheel probably counts as the primary load-bearing element on a vehicle.

Of course, some of us ride "Campag" components...