Calvin's Corner

• Written by Calvin on July 27, 2012/Calvin's Corner

  Basic Use of Tools

  A sound working knowledge of tool use is the basis of being a mechanic. Developing good working habits will result in better, more consistent repairs, and in longer lasting tools. This article provides a short review of the proper use of some basic tools.

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• Written by Calvin on May 30, 2012/Calvin's Corner

  Repairing On-The-Ride

  This article will review repairs we can do while we are out and about on a bike. There are, of course, many possible issues and problems that can and do occasionally occur when we are riding. Here, we will consider the what to bring, the pre-ride inspection and six broad categories: Flat Tires, Wheel Issues, Drive Train, Braking Systems, Stems/Posts/Bars, and Frames/Forks.

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• Written by Calvin on April 2, 2012/Calvin's Corner

  How to Build a Spearfish

  It has been 22 years since the Clark-Kent mountain bike was new (seen below, on the left). The time has come for an updated, contemporary machine, which in this case will be a Salsa Spearfish (on the right, still mud-free). At first glance you might think these bikes are for two different customers, but that is not the case, as both are mine. The Clark-Kent has a relatively low bottom bracket height compared to the Salsa. Saddle-to-pedal and saddle-over-bars dimension is nearly the same for both. However the larger 29er wheels and taller bottom bracket height give the illusion of two different fits.

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• Written by Calvin on March 13, 2012/Calvin's Corner

  Springtime Attention Brings Problem Prevention

  Springtime is nigh upon us, the time when a true cyclist's heart turns to—what else—bicycle maintenance. With attention from you, plus some elbow grease, your early season rides will be coming up roses.

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• Written by Calvin on January 27, 2012/Calvin's Corner

  You Say You Want a (Shifting) Revolution

  If you have been trying to set up your dream ride with the new revolutionary electronic shifting systems, such as the Campagnolo® EPS™, or perhaps the Shimano® Di2™, but somehow it is just not working out for you, then perhaps you should look, not to the future, but to the past, for a different, revolutionary, shifting system.

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• Written by Calvin on December 6, 2011/Calvin's Corner

  2011 USA Cycling Race Mechanic Clinic

  Each year since 1987, I have taught at the Bill Woodul Race Mechanics Clinic, hosted by USA Cycling. Bill was a former USAC Equipment manager. We lost Bill to cancer in 1996, but it was this man who created the clinic as a place to share experience and knowledge with newer mechanics.

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• Written by Calvin on October 4, 2011/Calvin's Corner

  Bringing a Peugeot Mont-Cenis Back to Life

  Reconditioning work on older vehicles such as hot rods, airplanes, tractors and bicycles can be a lot of fun. It is best to keep this in mind when taking on such a project. It should be fun. Just keep reminding yourself of this, no matter how frustrating and expensive it becomes. In almost all cases, the work should be done for the love of the machine and the love of the process. You will not have a chance to sell the vehicle at a huge profit. There is no one out there who's just been waiting on eBay for this very bike you hauled out of the garbage/garage/yard sale. On the other hand, they say there is one born every minute...

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• Written by Calvin on June 9, 2011/Calvin's Corner

  Disc Brake Squeal: A Case Study

  This Calvin's Corner reviews a singular case of disc brake squeal.

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• Written by Calvin on May 11, 2011/Calvin's Corner

  2011 Cycle Speedway World Championships

  Cycle Speedway is a type of bicycle racing that is not well known in the USA. It is an international sport, but Speedway's creation was in the United Kingdom. It consists of relatively short anaerobic races at outdoor facilities built for the purpose. The cinder track is absolutely flat and short, between 70–90 meters, and events are usually four laps long.

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• Written by Calvin on May 5, 2011/Calvin's Corner

  To Fixie, or Not to Fixie... Why Not Some of Each With the SRAM® Torpedo® Hub?

  The article will review the service and installation of the SRAM® Torpedo® fix & free rear hub. Torpedo® branded hubs have a long history of coaster brake hub systems. SRAM® offers an interesting option in the Torpedo® fix & free hub. This hub allows freewheeling as any one-speed freewheel bike, but can then be adjusted without removing the wheel from the bike to a fixed gear option. The fixed-freewheel adjusting screw drives into the hub and displaces a carriage that frees a second set of internal locking pawls. This second set of pawls locks the rear cog from turning either direction.

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