The pros and cons of different part types?
10-20-13, 04:20 PM
#1
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The pros and cons of different part types?
I have a feeling I'm opening a can of worms with such a broad and nuanced question, but I've been meaning to ask a while now.
Basically, has anyone ever constructed, say, a chart that compares and contrasts different kinds of bike parts within their respective categories?
For example, a chart on brakes that gives the Ups and downs of choosing, say, Linear Pull brakes over side-pull calipers, center pull cantilevers or even something wild like those old-timey spoon brakes. Or different three piece cranks vs each other, vs something like Ashtabula style cranks.
I can kind of cobble together a few ideas based on Sheldon Brown articles, but having it all in one area would be nice. I suspect that most of the pro's of a given type over another would be weight (three pieces vs Ashtabula, frex) but it might be interesting to see other contrasting data bits. This thread is less to begin discussion about such parts (that would get disorganized and rowdy fast) than it is the idea of having something centralized like charts.
Something to think about.
M.
Basically, has anyone ever constructed, say, a chart that compares and contrasts different kinds of bike parts within their respective categories?
For example, a chart on brakes that gives the Ups and downs of choosing, say, Linear Pull brakes over side-pull calipers, center pull cantilevers or even something wild like those old-timey spoon brakes. Or different three piece cranks vs each other, vs something like Ashtabula style cranks.
I can kind of cobble together a few ideas based on Sheldon Brown articles, but having it all in one area would be nice. I suspect that most of the pro's of a given type over another would be weight (three pieces vs Ashtabula, frex) but it might be interesting to see other contrasting data bits. This thread is less to begin discussion about such parts (that would get disorganized and rowdy fast) than it is the idea of having something centralized like charts.
Something to think about.
M.
Last edited by MEversbergII; 10-20-13 at 06:27 PM.
10-20-13, 04:24 PM
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A side by side comparison in one place might be nice, but isn't that simple, because there's no clear consensus of the pro or cons of most parts. What some like about how something works, others find to be a problem.
So in just about every case, each person must make his own decision based on what's important to his needs or preferences.
So in just about every case, each person must make his own decision based on what's important to his needs or preferences.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
10-20-13, 04:34 PM
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I think this is why Sheldon Brown's site is still going strong.
10-21-13, 03:03 AM
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The big thing I suspect is that it might be hard to decide what pros and cons to include.
Some are mainly relevant during manufacturing, other while riding, some during servicing, some during repurposing. For instance you could say that all frames should be built either with horizontal dropouts or with BB shells big enough to take eccentric BBs. This'd be HUGE pro if/when repurposing a bike, almost entirely unimportant when building the frame, a slight issue at assembly and a small weight penalty while on the road.
And so the list goes on. What is a deal breaker for me might be absolute nonsense for you, and the other way around.
Some are mainly relevant during manufacturing, other while riding, some during servicing, some during repurposing. For instance you could say that all frames should be built either with horizontal dropouts or with BB shells big enough to take eccentric BBs. This'd be HUGE pro if/when repurposing a bike, almost entirely unimportant when building the frame, a slight issue at assembly and a small weight penalty while on the road.
And so the list goes on. What is a deal breaker for me might be absolute nonsense for you, and the other way around.
10-21-13, 10:54 AM
#6
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Well, now that you guys put it that way I can see why this hasn't come up before.
M.
M.
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