Conference noted::bicycle

Ritchey's 9 speed set up was just something that Tom Ritchey was fooling around
with.  He offset the dish of the rear wheel and used a modified Grip Shift ESP
deraileur with Sach twist shifters.  His set up doesn't use a granny gear, but
still has a middle and big chain ring.  Right now this isn't available for
production, it was just a pet project.

					Shawn

    What the @%$^#$&#%,
    Does that now mean that my 8 speed wheel sets are now going to be
    useless in a year.Please,I just sold my 7 speed bike and wheel sets
    to a buddy because they were not interchangable with my chorus/record
    8 speed wheel sets.Will that mean that the spacing is going to change
     again too.I think when the block gets as wide as my ass I'll quit.
    I'll be dambed that I will now go and spend another F'n grand to up
    date shifters,wheels and changers.Come on now though,realy!
    Just a rant and rave or two.
    
                                   Later
    
                                     Jack
    

I don't think the spacing will change, Jack. Different
dishing is definitely in order, however.

I really don't think the 9spd set-up is going to catch on
for road bikes. Tandems and tourers, maybe. I personally
don't believe another gear or two is necessary for the
road.

Shawn, I'll read the article again, but I'm pretty sure
the Logic stuff is not a pet project and will be offered
sometime soon.

Chip

The system he set up uses a Grip Shift ESP with a Sach shifter.  Definately not
an authorized set up.  I'm sur SRAM doesn't want their deraileur used with their
competitors twister.  In order for it to be produced Ritchey would have to come
up with it's own deraileur and shifter.  Is the amount of R&D worth it for an 18
speed set-up.  With the offset rim you would have to totally reconfigure the
set-up of cantelevers.  Ritchey would have to include them in the package.  I
don'[t know about anyone else but I'm not ready to give up my 24 speed triple
chainring bike for a (more than likely super expensive) 18 speed set-up.

Hey, I'll just keep pedalling along on my 6-speed freewheel, thank you very
much.
						-- Tom

I don't think spacing is that much of a problem any more.  We have guys in 
the club using Campag Ergo levers with 7 & 8 speed Shimano mechs and 
freewheels as well as those who prefer it all the same.  I have used Shimano 
frame levers succesfully with Campag Record and Sachs blocks, certainly the 
Sachs blocks also have the same spacings.

The question is more to do with chainline and hence efficiency and wear - I 
cannot think that anyone will believe that there are only 2 unuseable 
combinations in a 2 x 9 set up.

Shawn, I believe the article did say that Logic would 
have its own drivetrain. 

Hey, I'm jsut sharing here, not judging.

Chip

    On spacing,
    What I should of said was that the lock nut to lock nut demention will
    probly change with 9 speeds. As in 125 for 5 and 6,128 for 7 and now
    130 mm for 8 speeds.Not the spacing of the cogs.But there is some
    difference in the cog spacing from Campy and Shimano.I hear that the
    Campy ERGO leavers will shift any thing including Shimano and triples.
    Were as Shimano will only shift Shimano and only racing doubles.
    By the way if any one is interested I have a set of the first
    generation Record ERGO leavers,with the cast Al bodies,in great shape
    for sale or trade.I just picked up a set of the 96 Chorus leavers,same
    as the Records with out the Ti bits,and they are sweat as sh*t.What
    I'm looking to trade is getting a couple of GL330s laced to my Record
    hubs or abought $150. Last year I tried to ride my tubulars as regular
     wheels and beat them to death.
    I can be reached at this E-mail address or at508-234-8799.Be cool though I
     work 2100 to 0800 Sat,Sun,Mon,and everyother Tues.Any time in the
    afternoon would be fine either for the leavers or good after noon spin
    in the woods or the the road any where around Woochester or central
    Mass.
    
                                   Later 
     
                                   Jack Barter
    
    
                                    

	Perhaps my father's old Raleigh had it right.
	3 gears - 1 for uphill, 1 for downhill, and the 3rd for the flats.

	When I'm feeling tired and overworked on my bike rides
	I think of the the bicycle-rickshaw riders in India.
	They haul 2 or 3 passengers, plus at least 50lbs of
	bike all with one little gear.

				John

    ... Or think of children on their 1 speed, coaster brake bicycles.  
    My 5 year old son bikes up some really steep & long hills.  If you 
    bicycle mainly for exercise, then 1 speed is all you need. ;)

Doug Allen was one of my early heroes when I started cycling, he was a 
labourer and built like the proverbal you-know-what.  In those days, racing 
bikes had 3 gears so Doug had "1 big one, 1 little one and 1 middle one".  
When he progressed to 2 chainrings, it didn't make much difference, he just 
had "2 big ones, 2 little ones and 2 middle ones".

This is the man who rode up the infamous Maldon hill in Essex on his trike 
with a railway sleeper on the back being taken home for firewood, but of 
course that is entirely another story ...

I've just been invited to the 50th anniversary of my first club so forgive me 
if I am overtaken by neuralgia.

I've recently taken to riding only one gear, a 42x17  and a fixed one at that!
It's a blast and it's great for the spin.  A little tough to unlearn the urge to
coast, but it's pretty well licked after ~200 miles.

Any other fixed-gear riders out there?  Do you only ride them in the off-season
(racers) or year round?

Tim

    Robin, where are you ?
    
    I'be not had  afixed since I raced - 7 years ago.  but we used it for
    early season training (Sep through Jan) 42x18 or 42x17.  Great fun on
    the flat.  Exciting down hills...
    	/rod