Repack Rider

Actually, just one article. Frank Berto came out to the Repack downhill race, and gave it a shot.

Lamont Cobb

I had to google this Frank Berto guy -- apparently he was famous for signing off with "gears to you." Cute.

RCMoeur 

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?

RCMoeur 

I like how he can casually name-drop "oh, I borrowed one of Gary's bikes...", but then again I think he earned that privilege. And as I look at the 14-38 custom 6-speed Suntour freewheel on my desk at the moment (only a Perfect, not a Winner, alas), it's good that folks like Frank were out there arguing for sane gearing when too many companies were assuming everyone was racing Sunday crits. I think I remember him remarking with approval at the huge 1x cassettes that hit the market prior to his passing, and how the Suntour 38 that was for so long the "big one" has been eclipsed by 10-50 12-cog beasts.

SpeedofLite 

Sure. Here you go. Good for 6 days. Bicycling Mar 1981 Drivetrain Gearing Design (Berto).pdf

rccardr 

Berto is still very mich worth reading.

Repack Rider

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.

bikemig 

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.

Repack Rider

First Repack race was October 21, 1976. It was supposed to settle all the arguments.

bikemig 

No doubt it did . . .

And thanks for the info.

madpogue 

Just like "The World War" (before they had to say "First")......

smd4

Absolutely! Today, its written to appeal to younger folks with smart phones and the attention spans of houseflies.