Bicycling 40 years ago, March 1984
#1
Retro on steroids
Thread Starter
Bicycling 40 years ago, March 1984
Actually, just one article. Frank Berto came out to the Repack downhill race, and gave it a shot.
#3
Cantilever believer
As a brand-new "serious rider" back in 1980-81, I discovered the wisdom of Frank Berto in the pages of Bicycling magazine (back when it was very much worth reading). I had just purchased my first "real bike" - a rather nice for the price Centurion Super Elite with Cyclone derailleurs and Araya alloy rims. But it had the stock off-the-shelf gearing typical of bikes of that time - 52-40 SR crankset (with no aftermarket chainrings smaller than 40), and a 5 speed 14-28 freewheel. I loved the bike, but wasn't happy with the gearing - I never used half the gears, and the steps were so big that I often was grinding or super-spinning.
And then Mr. Berto explained unto us: "it doesn't have to be this way." A true revelation. Using my meager funds carefully and the nomographs in the March 1981 article "Gearing to Suit You",* I traded the SR crank for a used TA with 46-42-26 chainrings and got a 14-26 ProCompe freewheel. And suddenly, I had a large logical range of gears in a half-step pattern, and could climb steep grades without having to stand 'n stomp. A couple months later I did my first Arizona Challenge 24-hour endurance ride, and the rest is personal history.
It is not an exaggeration to say that Mr. Berto is at least in part responsible for the gear selections on first-generation mass-market mountain bikes, which then spread throughout cycling, especially after triple cranks such as the Sugino Aero Tour went from specialty aftermarket items to standard spec.
At Christmas 1999, my wife surprised me with an autographed copy of the first edition of Berto's definitive work on bicycle drivetrains, "The Dancing Chain". It occupied a place of honor on my bookshelf.
Over the years, I've made the acquaintance of a couple of the other writers for Bicycling in that era, and so it came to pass that I had dinner with Mr. Berto at the Interbike trade show in 2006 along with John Allen, John Schubert, and others. I told Frank my testimonial as recited above and he received it graciously. I purchased a signed copy of the second edition of "The Dancing Chain" from him at the dinner, which is now next to that first edition. Frank published several more updates prior to his passing in 2019.
* Hey, SpeedofLite , any chance of reposting that article?
And then Mr. Berto explained unto us: "it doesn't have to be this way." A true revelation. Using my meager funds carefully and the nomographs in the March 1981 article "Gearing to Suit You",* I traded the SR crank for a used TA with 46-42-26 chainrings and got a 14-26 ProCompe freewheel. And suddenly, I had a large logical range of gears in a half-step pattern, and could climb steep grades without having to stand 'n stomp. A couple months later I did my first Arizona Challenge 24-hour endurance ride, and the rest is personal history.
It is not an exaggeration to say that Mr. Berto is at least in part responsible for the gear selections on first-generation mass-market mountain bikes, which then spread throughout cycling, especially after triple cranks such as the Sugino Aero Tour went from specialty aftermarket items to standard spec.
At Christmas 1999, my wife surprised me with an autographed copy of the first edition of Berto's definitive work on bicycle drivetrains, "The Dancing Chain". It occupied a place of honor on my bookshelf.
Over the years, I've made the acquaintance of a couple of the other writers for Bicycling in that era, and so it came to pass that I had dinner with Mr. Berto at the Interbike trade show in 2006 along with John Allen, John Schubert, and others. I told Frank my testimonial as recited above and he received it graciously. I purchased a signed copy of the second edition of "The Dancing Chain" from him at the dinner, which is now next to that first edition. Frank published several more updates prior to his passing in 2019.
* Hey, SpeedofLite , any chance of reposting that article?
__________________
Richard C. Moeur, PE - Phoenix AZ, USA
https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
Richard C. Moeur, PE - Phoenix AZ, USA
https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
Likes For RCMoeur:
#4
Cantilever believer
l borrowed a loaner Ritchey MountainBike from Gary Fisher the day before the race. It was an early model, but the gear train was pure Berto. It had 28/38/48 Shimano Biopace chainwheels on 180-mm Sugino Aero Tour cranks. This was combined with a 14-16-18-21-28-38 SunTour New Winner, a DID chain, and SunTour derailleurs.
__________________
Richard C. Moeur, PE - Phoenix AZ, USA
https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
Richard C. Moeur, PE - Phoenix AZ, USA
https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
#5
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Central Florida, USA
Posts: 2,105
Bikes: Litespeed (9); Slingshot (9); Specialized (3); Kestrel (2); Cervelo (1); FELT (1); Trek (2)
Liked 3,933 Times
in
1,104 Posts
As a brand-new "serious rider" back in 1980-81, I discovered the wisdom of Frank Berto in the pages of Bicycling magazine (back when it was very much worth reading). I had just purchased my first "real bike" - a rather nice for the price Centurion Super Elite with Cyclone derailleurs and Araya alloy rims. But it had the stock off-the-shelf gearing typical of bikes of that time - 52-40 SR crankset (with no aftermarket chainrings smaller than 40), and a 5 speed 14-28 freewheel. I loved the bike, but wasn't happy with the gearing - I never used half the gears, and the steps were so big that I often was grinding or super-spinning.
And then Mr. Berto explained unto us: "it doesn't have to be this way." A true revelation. Using my meager funds carefully and the nomographs in the March 1981 article "Gearing to Suit You",* I traded the SR crank for a used TA with 46-42-26 chainrings and got a 14-26 ProCompe freewheel. And suddenly, I had a large logical range of gears in a half-step pattern, and could climb steep grades without having to stand 'n stomp. A couple months later I did my first Arizona Challenge 24-hour endurance ride, and the rest is personal history.
It is not an exaggeration to say that Mr. Berto is at least in part responsible for the gear selections on first-generation mass-market mountain bikes, which then spread throughout cycling, especially after triple cranks such as the Sugino Aero Tour went from specialty aftermarket items to standard spec.
At Christmas 1999, my wife surprised me with an autographed copy of the first edition of Berto's definitive work on bicycle drivetrains, "The Dancing Chain". It occupied a place of honor on my bookshelf.
Over the years, I've made the acquaintance of a couple of the other writers for Bicycling in that era, and so it came to pass that I had dinner with Mr. Berto at the Interbike trade show in 2006 along with John Allen, John Schubert, and others. I told Frank my testimonial as recited above and he received it graciously. I purchased a signed copy of the second edition of "The Dancing Chain" from him at the dinner, which is now next to that first edition. Frank published several more updates prior to his passing in 2019.
* Hey, SpeedofLite , any chance of reposting that article?
And then Mr. Berto explained unto us: "it doesn't have to be this way." A true revelation. Using my meager funds carefully and the nomographs in the March 1981 article "Gearing to Suit You",* I traded the SR crank for a used TA with 46-42-26 chainrings and got a 14-26 ProCompe freewheel. And suddenly, I had a large logical range of gears in a half-step pattern, and could climb steep grades without having to stand 'n stomp. A couple months later I did my first Arizona Challenge 24-hour endurance ride, and the rest is personal history.
It is not an exaggeration to say that Mr. Berto is at least in part responsible for the gear selections on first-generation mass-market mountain bikes, which then spread throughout cycling, especially after triple cranks such as the Sugino Aero Tour went from specialty aftermarket items to standard spec.
At Christmas 1999, my wife surprised me with an autographed copy of the first edition of Berto's definitive work on bicycle drivetrains, "The Dancing Chain". It occupied a place of honor on my bookshelf.
Over the years, I've made the acquaintance of a couple of the other writers for Bicycling in that era, and so it came to pass that I had dinner with Mr. Berto at the Interbike trade show in 2006 along with John Allen, John Schubert, and others. I told Frank my testimonial as recited above and he received it graciously. I purchased a signed copy of the second edition of "The Dancing Chain" from him at the dinner, which is now next to that first edition. Frank published several more updates prior to his passing in 2019.
* Hey, SpeedofLite , any chance of reposting that article?
__________________
WTB: Slingshot bicycle promotional documents (catalog, pamphlets, etc).
WTB: American Cycling May - Aug, Oct, Dec 1966.
WTB: Bicycle Guide issues 1984 (any); Jun 1987; Jul, Nov/Dec 1992; Apr 1994; 1996 -1998 (any)
WTB: Bike World issue Jun 1974.
WTB Litespeed head badge (1 1/8" head tube)
WTB: Slingshot bicycle promotional documents (catalog, pamphlets, etc).
WTB: American Cycling May - Aug, Oct, Dec 1966.
WTB: Bicycle Guide issues 1984 (any); Jun 1987; Jul, Nov/Dec 1992; Apr 1994; 1996 -1998 (any)
WTB: Bike World issue Jun 1974.
WTB Litespeed head badge (1 1/8" head tube)
#6
Berto is still very mich worth reading.
__________________
Hard at work in the Secret Underground Laboratory...
Hard at work in the Secret Underground Laboratory...
#7
Retro on steroids
Thread Starter
I also held an editorial position at Bicycling. Frank lives in my town, and I knew him for many years before his death. I am quoted extensively in his book, "The Birth of Dirt." Not really a name-drop that Gary loaned him a bike, since they were longtime friends who both worked for Bicycling.
It is ironic that Frank's wife was a member of the horsey set, and was a very public opponent of mountain biking. Their son became a MTB racer.
It is ironic that Frank's wife was a member of the horsey set, and was a very public opponent of mountain biking. Their son became a MTB racer.
#8
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,949
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Liked 4,321 Times
in
2,381 Posts
I enjoyed the piece. I hadn't realized that Repack began in 1974; I had thought it was late 70s. I hate to say it but Bicycling was a much better magazine back in the day. A lot of things about cycling have gotten better since BITD but not that magazine.
Last edited by bikemig; 04-01-24 at 12:05 PM.
Likes For bikemig:
#9
Retro on steroids
Thread Starter
First Repack race was October 21, 1976. It was supposed to settle all the arguments.
#10
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Middle Earth (aka IA)
Posts: 20,949
Bikes: A bunch of old bikes and a few new ones
Liked 4,321 Times
in
2,381 Posts
#11
Senior Member
#12
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2020
Location: Wake Forest, NC
Posts: 6,357
Bikes: 1989 Cinelli Supercorsa
Liked 3,313 Times
in
1,992 Posts
Absolutely! Today, its written to appeal to younger folks with smart phones and the attention spans of houseflies.