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Calvin's Corner
Toys for Tots Bike Build
It is a cold December morning at 07:00 hours. The temperature is -1 degree F. It is a bright, sunny day. Time to drive down to QBP for their yearly Toys-for-Tots bike build. All in all, it's a great day to fix a bike!
On the road for the children.
Quality Bicycle Products and local retailer...
The Triple Crown of Racing
This article will discuss the triple clamp fork. The triple clamp provides a very rigid and strong system to hold fork legs. It can found on downhill race bikes, freeride bikes, and some "enduro" bikes (Figure 1).
Figure 1. The extremes of downhill racing require strength and...
A look back
Fall is always to good time for retrospection. Looking back, way back in my case, I realize perhaps that I have not changed much. For example, in Figure 1, we see the definition of cool in what was perhaps 1974.
Figure 1. Coolness defined by the gestalt of blue jean shorts, polyester sho...
2007 Mountain Bike World Championships
This article will discuss the technical services provided to the US athletes at the 2007 UCI World Mountain Bike Championships, in Fort William, Scotland. I acted as Lead Mechanic for the USA Cycling mechanics. The most recent evenet are posted at the top, with background at the bottom.
See...
Fishing for the boss
This article will discuss a potential repair of failed water bottle fittings. Water bottle fittings are intended to be permanent part of the bike frame. Consult the bike manufacturer before attempting any repair.
The industry standard thread for bottle cage is the M5 (5mm x 0.8). There are th...
If the Shoe Fits
This article will discuss the various foot retention options for the bicycle. The pedals of the bicycle accept the foot and shoe. The cyclist's shoe is really the beginning of the bicycle drive train, especially if the intention is to achieve high performance. A sloppy fitting shoe will be a...
BIke Swap!
For my mind, anytime bikers, biker equipment, and bicycles gather together, it will be a good time. This was obviously the case at the Twin Cites Bicycle Club bike swap.
The Twin Cities Bicycle Club was the sponsor of the event.
To state the obvious, there are two types of people who atte...
Human-to-Machine Relationships
Large cycling events such as charity fundraiser's are great opportunities to observe different types of bicycles and their owners. If you work these events as a mechanic, you get to see lots problems in a short period of time, as you quickly diagnosis the issue, fix it, and send t...
Riding on Tea Cups (Ceramic Bearings)
Ceramic bearings are being seen on bicycles and other hobby equipment, such as fishing reels, slot cars, and roller blade wheels. Ceramic bearings are available in most sizes of bicycle cartridge bearings. The cartridge bearings usually use steel inner and outer races, with ceramic bearings betw...
EL MANUBRIO DE BIGOTE
Atención: Para celebrar el Cinco de Mayo, se tradujo este artículo para Calvin Jones, quien no habla español. Para leer el artículo en inglés, haga clic aquí.
Este artículo hablará de las virtudes del manubrio de bigote. C...
On-The-Bike-Support
Spring time is here, so it time to ride, and fix some bikes while you are at it. This article will be addressed to those who provide support at riding events. This may be for charity rides, century rides, large group rides, or really big family rides.
Here at Park Tool, we have provided on-the...
2007 Shimano XTR Components
As manufacturers release new groups and components, there are often new features that require new service procedures. The article below will discuss the service and installation features of select 2007 Shimano® XTR components.
Discovery Cycling Team Training Camp
The Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team holds their winter training camp in Solvang, California. As always, our kind of people, the mechanics, arrive early to get the work done. There will be 30 riders, with road bikes for everyone, plus time trial bikes, reserve bikes and spare wheels, so ther...
Calvin's Last Minute Bike Assembly Guide
Let me begin this article by saying first that if you are reading this hoping to assemble that gift bike, you are already in trouble. Bicycles, even simple "children's" bicycles are vehicles, and are in their own way, sophisticated. You are better off purchasing a bicycle comple...
Campagnolo Ultra Torque and Record Group
As manufacturers release new groups and components, there are often new features that require new service procedures. The article below will discuss the service and installation features of the following Campagnolo® Record components.
SRAM Force and Rival Group Service and Installation
As manufacturers release new groups and components, there are often new features that require new service procedures. This will be the first in a series of articles discussing the newer component groups available from various manufacturers. For the Campagnolo© group see Ultra-Torque and Re...
2005 World Championships with the USA Team Shop
This article will discuss the activities of Calvin Jones of Park Tool and the USA Team Shop at the 2005 Mountain Bike World Championships in Livigno, Italy.
USA Cycling Team is selected by USA Cycling for the World Championships, held this year in Livigno, Italy. During most of the year, these ...
Technical Support at 24-Hour Races
24-hour racing is very demanding on riders, bikes, race officials, promoters, and technical support. I recently attended the 24-9, host of the US National 24 Hour Championship, held on a hot, sultry weekend, deep in woods on Nine-Mile forest of Wisconsin. As is usually the case, it was a...
Bike Festivals
Bike festivals are always fun. People come to them in a good mood and are ready to talk about what they like best....bikes. The University of Minnesota recently hosted the "Bike-In at the Bell," held at the University's Bell Museum. It was an evening of outdo...
Why I Prefer the Older Rides
My friends say that I seem to prefer older bikes, and, in fact, they're right. I do like the older machines, but only for myself. Actually, I love the newer technologies. Hydraulic braking systems, electronic shifting, 10-speed rear cassettes, carbon frames and components of all kinds are ...
A Visit with Julien DeVries, Chief of Mechanics for the Discovery Channel Cycling Team
The 2006 Discovery Channel Professional Cycling Team gathered recently for their annual training camp and I was honored and excited to be a part of it. This year's camp took place in Solvang, California from January 14 th to 27 th . This is the time when the riders and staff begin prep...
Race Mechanic Clinic at the Olympic Training Center
NOTE: The 2007 Bill Woodul Race Mechanic Clinic, will be January 11-14. For more information visit http://www.usacycling.org/mechanics/ Click on "Mechanics Clinic" at that link.
I just returned from a trip to Colorado. Each year, I am a guest speaker at the Bill Woodul Race Mechanic Cl...
2001 World Championships
This article will discuss the 2001 Mountain Bike World Championships. September, 2001 was a difficult time for everyone, and it was difficult to post daily.
See also related articles: 2003 Italy / 2004 France / 2005 Italy / 2007 Scotland / 2008 Italy / 2009 Australia / 2010 Canada
...
2003 World Championships
This article will discuss the 2003 Mountain Bike World Championships in Lugano, Switzerland.
See also related articles: 2001 USA / 2004 France / 2005 Italy / 2007 Scotland / 2008 Italy / 2009 Australia / 2010 Canada
Each year, the best mountain bike riders of each co...
2004 World Championships
See also related articles: 2001 USA / 2003 Italy / 2005 Italy / 2007 Scotland / 2008 Italy / 2009 Australia / 2010 Canada
This article will discuss the 2004 Mountain Bike World Championships held in Les-Gets, France. America's best riders are sent each year to the Wor...
