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Calvin's Corner
Tension...it's all relative
Winter above the 45-degrees North Latitude line can be a long and dark time. What better use of your time in sub-zero weather than to relax, indoors, with a TM-1 Spoke Tension Meter, a wheel, and a lap top computer? Many readers might appreciate the first two, but this article is intended to i...
Cyclo-cross
The Fall brings us a change in the weather, with crisp air, leaves upon the ground, and cyclo-cross racing. What is cyclo-cross? What better source to turn to, than the Italian manual, CYCLING, which explains that cyclo-cross is "...a cycling specialty considered apart as regards its technic...
Getting a Sense of the Problem
In bicycle repair, or any other mechanical work for that matter, we should bring to the table our five senses. We need as much input as possible in order to process the data and come to a resolution on the issues before us. This article will expatiate upon the "five senses" and h...
2009 MTB World Championships- Canberra Australia
Each fall, near the end of the racing season, the best mountain bikers gather for the UCI World Championships. This year, the event is near Canberra, Australia, where the finest cross country, trials, and gravity riders will meet to do battle and name a World Champion for each discipline. To m...
SEMINARIO
The Park Tool distributor in Mexico, Benotto, sponsored a technical training seminar, held in Mexico City, July 16 and 17, 2009. There were one hundred twenty participants, all expecting an education nine hours a day, for two days. For me, it was quite an experience, as I think I learned as m...
Rear Shock Service- RockShox Monarch 4.2
This article will review the service of the RockShox® Monarch rear shock. Rear shocks are found on most full suspension bikes. Full suspension bicycle frames use a linkage system to allow the rear axle to move up and down independently to accommodate uneven terrain. The rear shock pushe...
CYCLING... the book
With the arrival of summer, it is primetime for good riding and fine reading. In this edition of Calvin's corner I will provide a book report of a tome which influenced me, and my way of thinking. It is sometimes long after reading a piece of literature, and then by re-reading it, does it b...
Rock Shox Pike Fork Service
This article will review the service of the Rock Shox® Pike suspension fork. Suspension systems are sophisticated technology and sercive often requires proprietary tools and specialized knowledge. A professional mechanic trained in suspension service should perform internal tuning and detail...
Di2 Shimano Electronic Intelligent System Installation
This article will discuss the installation and adjustment of the Di2 Shimano Electronic Intelligent System®. This system is incorperated in the designs of some new bike models. This article will focus on the installation of the system as an after-market component system (Figure 1). ...
Gore Ride-On Cable Installation
This article will describe the installation of the Gore® Ride-On® cable system. This is a cable housing system that relies on a tubing system to seal the inner shifting or brake wire, thereby preventing dirt and water from entering. The system is composed of housing, a full length removab...
HammerSchmidt Installation
This article will discuss the installation of the Truvativ® HammerSchmidt™ front transmission system. The HammerSchmidt™ is a two-speed gear systemdesigned into the front crankset. It consists of a special drive crank containing internal planeta...
Shimano Dura-Ace 7900
This article will discuss the Shimano® Dura-Ace 7900 components. The group is lighter then previous editions through changes in design features and the use of aluminum and titanium fasteners. These materials do not pull up and feel the same as traditional steel fasteners. When possible, use ...
Shimano Coasting System
This article will discuss the Shimano "Coasting" system. The Coasting system uses a 3-speed internal hub. The shifting is done automatically the "Automatic Unit" (AI). The electricity to operate the Automatic Unit comes from the dynamo (generating) front hub. From a speed of...
Thinking About Your Ride
The optic of this article will be on the relationship of the human body with the bicycle. There is both an art and science to placing and positioning the human body on a bicycle for maximum performance. This article addresses you as a casual cyclist rather than as the elite level cyclist, who mu...
This I Believe
It is difficult to go through life and not wonder if you are doing anyone any good. As the 2008 Olympic Games begin, it gives me pause to think about what I have done, or not done, for, well, the world.
I would like to believe that my path through life, like my path through cycling, has done som...
2008 MTB World Championships
This article will discuss the technical aspects of the 2008 MTB World Championships. The most recent news will be posted at the top.
See also related articles: 2001 USA / 2003 Italy / 2004 France / 2005 Italy / 2007 Scotland / 2009 Australia / 2010 Canada
This year, the...
Observations from Italy and France
This article will discuss various aspects of cycling that I observed while in Italy and France. After working the MTB World Championships in Val di Sole, I was fortunate enough to spend some days here with my family. I appreciate there is much history here, much culture and learning, but more im...
12 Hours of Darkness
Racing means riding lots and riding hard, and that leads to worn and broken bikes. Sounds like a good place for Park Tool to be, and on a pleasant spring night above Red Wing, Minnesota, that's where I was. This was a 12 hour race, beginning at 20:00 hours and ending 08:00. (That's eight o'clock...
Hail the Commuter
This article will discuss sundry features of the commuting bicycle, as Bike To Work Day is Friday, May 16. Bicycles are very diverse vehicles, able to perform many tasks. However, bicycles are at their best when they are purpose specific. Downhill bike have 8-inches of travel for huge drops, tim...
Working in the Dark
This article will discuss techniques useful to the workers of the bicycle world. Although I try hard not to, sometimes parts are dropped on the floor. Sometimes, very small parts are dropped. On the preventative side, have a place arranged to place your small parts. Use a tub, or better yet k...
Commuter Bike League
May 13th, 2008-Bike To Work Week Interview with Captain Josh:
This is a big week in the QBP Commuter League, so we will celebrate by interviewing our Psych-lers team hero, Captain Josh
Abrahamson:
Calvin: Good morning Captain, how is our team doing in the Commuter League?
Captain Josh: ...
Parlez vous Bike-Talk? (Bicycle Mechanic Languages)
The most recenet addition of the database is Serbian, as of March 26, 2008. Thank you all who have helped expand this tool and provide feedback. I hope you find it useful. Download: Bicycle_Mechanic_Languages_5.xls
In my line of work it has been necessary to travel to various countries. I am ...
Race Mechanic Clinic for 2008
Each year USA Cycling hosts the Bill Woodul Mechanics Clinic. Named for a former USA Cycling Equipment Manager and Chief Mechanic, Bill Woodul, the clinic offers training unique in the mechanic's world. There are four days of classes and education in the ways of the racing world, pres...
A Visit With Andy Hampsten
Andy Hampsten is a former professional racer. Winner of the Giro d'Italia, vetreran of the Tour de France, team rider for the Motorola Cycling Team, 7-11, La Vie Claire, and Levi's, Andy has seen many a mile on and off the bike. Andy was kind enough to take the time to chat about about bik...
Winter Time Preparation
Each type of competitive or sport riding has certain bike features that are "sports specific." Winter riding, meaning a lot of snow, deep back woods, alone, and cold, real cold, requires it's own special type of thinking and equipment. Park Tool's engineer, Pierre Ostor, is a wint...
