Additions to the Shimano 8-speed IG hub page

Posted on November 11, 2015 by John

Sheldonbrown.com reader Bruce Dance has contributed some helpful information on compatibility — or the lack of it — among different models. Read it on the 8-speed internal-gear hub page

Shimano Nexus hub

Shimano Nexus hub

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Choosing a bicycle headlight

Posted on November 1, 2015 by John

Just in time for standard-time winter commutes — an article about choosing a headlight for your bicycle!

Bicycle headlight with shaped beam pattern

Bicycle headlight with shaped beam pattern

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Spoking for large hubs, improved

Posted on October 29, 2015 by John

The article on special spoking patterns for use with extra-large hubs (for example, electric bicycle hub motors) has been improved with patterns which avoid twisting the hub shell for two of the hub and rim combinations. The article includes all the information needed to use Damon Rinard’s Spocalc (also on the site) to calculate spoke lengths for these patterns.

Non-torquing spoke pattern for 36-hole hub and 24-hole rim

Non-torquing spoke pattern for 36-hole hub and 24-hole rim

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Bicycle frame fatigue-resistance testing

Posted on October 15, 2015 by John
Testing machine at EFBe laboratory

Testing machine at EFBe laboratory

The groundbreaking article about fatigue-resistance testing of bicycle frames — the results surprised even the people doing the test — now in a much-improved new translation from the original German.

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Framebuilder information from Damon Rinard

Posted on October 4, 2015 by John
Screen shot from tube mitering software

Screen shot from tube mitering software

Another Rinard article updated: his page of links to information, sources of materials and software for amateur frame builders.

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Damon’s do-it-yourself carbon-fiber bicycle frame

Posted on October 1, 2015 by John

Damon Rinard built a carbon-fiber bicycle frame in his garage! And we have just updated his pages describing how he did it, including sources for materials and tools. He points out that it’s actually much easier to build a carbon fiber frame than a steel frame.

Damon Rinard's do-it-yourself carbon-fiber bicycle frame

Damon Rinard’s do-it-yourself carbon-fiber bicycle frame

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Check spoke tension by ear when building a wheel

Posted on September 23, 2015 by John

Check the level of spoke tension by ear — unless you are tone deaf, a musical pitch reference (pitch pipe, tuning fork, smartphone app etc.) is all you need to tell whether you have brought spokes up to the appropriate level of tension when building a wheel. It’s faster than using a tensiometer!

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Spocalc revised

Posted on September 10, 2015 by John

The page for Damon Rinard’s spoke calculator has been revised, with an updated list of online spoke calculators, several comments and links, and better formatting. Now also includes links to spoke-calculator apps for iOS and Android smartphones!

screen shot from Spocalc

Screen shot from Spocalc

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SunTour Perfect, Pro-Compe and New Winner freewheels

Posted on September 2, 2015 by John

freewheel14-38New page on SunTour Perfect, Pro-Compe and New Winner freewheels. These are no longer made, but there are a lot of them around and they offer many options including the ability to work with older frames that have smaller overlocknut distance than current frames. We have information on choosing, maintaining and customizing these freewheels.

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Cyclecomputer and GPS accuracy

Posted on August 29, 2015 by John

New page about the history of distance and speed measurement on bicycles, and the limitations of accuracy in measurement. Did you know that GPS readings wander, so you can rack up some distance even if you are standing still?

Raw GPS readings don't quite follow the road.

Raw GPS readings don’t quite follow the road.

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