50 Years Ago: March 1974 in Bicycling! magazine
03-03-24, 09:46 AM
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50 Years Ago: March 1974 in Bicycling! magazine
Articles/columns included are:
"Solo Journey" - Oberlin, OH to Boston, MA
QUESTION MAN
The following articles from this issue were posted previously:
ROAD TEST - TELEDYNE Titan Titanium Frame (https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...tan-frame.html)
ROAD TEST - COPPI Giro d'Italia (https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...-d-italia.html)
PART REPORT - SHIMANO Cable Type Disc Brake (https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...isc-brake.html)
Let me know if you'd like to see something else listed in the ToC and I'll add it in a reply to this post or provide a link to a pdf.
"Solo Journey" - Oberlin, OH to Boston, MA
QUESTION MAN
The following articles from this issue were posted previously:
ROAD TEST - TELEDYNE Titan Titanium Frame (https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...tan-frame.html)
ROAD TEST - COPPI Giro d'Italia (https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...-d-italia.html)
PART REPORT - SHIMANO Cable Type Disc Brake (https://www.bikeforums.net/classic-v...isc-brake.html)
Let me know if you'd like to see something else listed in the ToC and I'll add it in a reply to this post or provide a link to a pdf.
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WTB: Bike World issue Jun 1974.
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.
03-03-24, 02:35 PM
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Interesting how some topics continue over the decades! Dick Arnold's question about shimmy should sound familiar to many of us. Fred DeLong's reply hits on things like frame and wheel flex, geometry, and load placement, which are still considered to be contributors.
Steve in Peoria (have dealt with shimmy a few times over the years)
Steve in Peoria (have dealt with shimmy a few times over the years)
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03-03-24, 02:42 PM
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Looks like there is a wiki entry on Su Friedrich who wrote the piece on the bike trip from Oberlin to Boston. I'm guessing it's the same person as she was at Oberlin '72-'75:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Su_Friedrich
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Su_Friedrich
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03-03-24, 07:48 PM
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Thanks for posting this.
Although I fully respect Stronglight's fine cranksets, I think Mr. DeLong was a bit too harsh in dismissing the 3-arm Sugino Maxy as "not of particularly good design". Seems reminiscent of 1955 Doc Brown's reaction to the Japanese microcircuits in the 1985 flux capacitor. But then there's that half-page Suntour ad, featuring the derailleur I used in USCF competition in the early 80s, outshifting my Campy-equipped co-competitors even if it didn't out-spiff them.
Although I fully respect Stronglight's fine cranksets, I think Mr. DeLong was a bit too harsh in dismissing the 3-arm Sugino Maxy as "not of particularly good design". Seems reminiscent of 1955 Doc Brown's reaction to the Japanese microcircuits in the 1985 flux capacitor. But then there's that half-page Suntour ad, featuring the derailleur I used in USCF competition in the early 80s, outshifting my Campy-equipped co-competitors even if it didn't out-spiff them.
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https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
Richard C. Moeur, PE - Phoenix AZ, USA
https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
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03-03-24, 07:58 PM
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If someone was conversant in British slang and wasn't familiar with the Cannondale trailer of that name, the article title "Buggering Across Canada" might raise an eyebrow or two. 
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https://www.richardcmoeur.com/bikestuf.html
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03-03-24, 07:58 PM
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Frightening how time has passed on. I remember reading that magazine and ordering a Teledyne Titan, paid for it with a summer job spent doing weld prep in a metal fabrication shop.
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03-04-24, 07:31 AM
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During a cross-country ride in 2014, the three Brits in our group exchanged glances, smirks and wisecracks with each other each time we passed a SOD FARM in the midwestern states. I knew what "sod" referred to in the UK and laughed along with them, but I also just had to ask (while trying to keep a straight face) if they loved Spotted Dick. Two snickered and then the another said with feigned indignation "Typical Americans, sullying the proper name of a respected British dessert". Just traveling with those guys was nearly as much fun as the 46 days of riding itself.
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WTB: Bicycle Guide issues 1984 (any); Jun 1987; Jul, Nov/Dec 1992; Apr 1994; 1996 -1998 (any)
WTB: Bike World issue Jun 1974.
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03-04-24, 07:37 AM
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Amazing, but true!! I was reading through the letters to the editors and spotted a familiar name. We tried starting a college cycling club back in college. Looked him up. Same guy! Amazing!
A really, really big "thanks" for sharing!!!
A really, really big "thanks" for sharing!!!
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03-04-24, 01:20 PM
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Any of them offer to "knock you up by 7"?
03-04-24, 02:39 PM
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Ha! No. But I suppose it's a wake-up call or a phone call, something like that.
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WTB: Bicycle Guide issues 1984 (any); Jun 1987; Jul, Nov/Dec 1992; Apr 1994; 1996 -1998 (any)
WTB: Bike World issue Jun 1974.
03-04-24, 03:04 PM
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I love these "50 years ago..." little bits of history.
I'm not as enthusiastic about the notion that 50 years ago will soon pass the year I was born. It's coming quick!
Phil
I'm not as enthusiastic about the notion that 50 years ago will soon pass the year I was born. It's coming quick!
Phil
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03-04-24, 03:11 PM
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Back in 1998, on my first deployment aboard a ship in the US Navy, we stopped in Hobart, Tasmania. A barista said, "knock me up about 8" and I was very taken aback for a bit. Had to run and go learn some colloquialisms really quickly.
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03-04-24, 04:09 PM
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The author of Oberlin, Ohio to Boston, Massachusetts was one school year behind me. A year before, I rode Boston to Detroit to return to school at end of summer. (My apartment mate lived in Detroit.) 8 days. ~800 miles. Northern Massachusetts past Williamstown and past Albany. 2nd night with a friend at Union College in Schenectady. West past Rochester to Niagra Falls for a motel, bed and clean clothes. Then Windsor, Ontario in two hot, upwind days; stopping at a diner in London, then camping in a farm field.
Fun. A lot more solo than this woman's ride but in line with who I am. Many fewer interactions and no stays in people's houses but, like her, I got a real sense of the different world in rural america. (Lower case as it was not all United States.) I still remember with fondness that young waitress in London saying in a very English accent "I don't envy you your ride" then thinking later as I laid in my sleeping bag on that farm field listening to the bugs "she really wouldn't envy this!"
Fun. A lot more solo than this woman's ride but in line with who I am. Many fewer interactions and no stays in people's houses but, like her, I got a real sense of the different world in rural america. (Lower case as it was not all United States.) I still remember with fondness that young waitress in London saying in a very English accent "I don't envy you your ride" then thinking later as I laid in my sleeping bag on that farm field listening to the bugs "she really wouldn't envy this!"
Last edited by 79pmooney; 03-04-24 at 04:11 PM. Reason: typos
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03-04-24, 04:15 PM
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03-05-24, 08:12 AM
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During a cross-country ride in 2014, the three Brits in our group exchanged glances, smirks and wisecracks with each other each time we passed a SOD FARM in the midwestern states. I knew what "sod" referred to in the UK and laughed along with them, but I also just had to ask (while trying to keep a straight face) if they loved Spotted Dick. Two snickered and then the another said with feigned indignation "Typical Americans, sullying the proper name of a respected British dessert". Just traveling with those guys was nearly as much fun as the 46 days of riding itself.
It did give me an appreciation for the license plate I saw at the bakery last year. I had to forward it to my British buddies/mates, since I figured they'd appreciate it.
On a more somber note, I also found this in a nearby cemetery. I'll just assume they weren't familiar with the second meaning.
Steve in Peoria
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03-08-24, 12:34 PM
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03-08-24, 03:51 PM
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I loved the letter about a three speed hub on a light sports touring frame. I could have written it!
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03-08-24, 06:07 PM
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Oh how I love reading these classic magazines, thanks for posting this SpeedofLite !
