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From: jon@sdcrdcf.UUCP (Jonathan Gingerich)
Newsgroups: net.bicycle
Subject: Components
Message-ID: <2674@sdcrdcf.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 11-Mar-86 02:30:16 EST
Article-I.D.: sdcrdcf.2674
Posted: Tue Mar 11 02:30:16 1986
Date-Received: Wed, 12-Mar-86 22:47:10 EST
Reply-To: jon@sdcrdcf.UUCP (Jonathan Gingerich)
Distribution: na
Organization: System Development Corporation R&D, Santa Monica
Lines: 50

Re: Aerolites versus Look step-in pedals

I saw Aerolites in Bike Tech in Garden Grove, CA a while back.  I have some
major reservations about them.  They rely on the cleat to do the gripping,
unlike the Look system, which has the pedal do the gripping.  I fear the 
nylon cleat will be quickly worn by foot down stops, or subject to cracking
or just general stretching.  Also, I'm dubious of the ease of mounting them
to the sole of a shoe.  By putting the mechanics into the pedal, Look is a
lot less susceptable to these problems.  Also, you can adjust the tension
on some models.  I also have my doubts about buying anything from a small
company (or a lot of the larger ones too).  Anyone remember Weyless?
I think Look should be applauded for bringing a major and useful inovation
to the market.

Along that line, I was thinking about the list of useful innovations in 
bicycle components.  Here's my list and comments;  Anyone care to give it a
shot?

(useless ideas are in parentheses)

step-in pedals - these appear to be really useful and neat.
shortened crank spindles  -  claimed to both stiffen and lighten the crankset
				maybe?
aero rims  -  maybe not great aerodynamically, but very strong
(hard anodizing  -  makes braking harder and doesn't help rims that much)
SIS system  -  will Shimano keep this one?  I haven't used it.  Any comments?
built in crank extractors  -  even Campy went for this ... just when the
				Japanese decided it didn't have racing cachet
electronic cyclometers  -   esp. cadence
(one bolt seat posts  -  I can't keep my Campy tight enough, new designs are
				using two.)
(cam actuated brakes  -  more complex, not much more function)
"aero" levers  -  nice to get the cables out of the way, now if only someone
				would offer predrilled reinforced bars.
roller bearing headsets with nylon cups  -  well thats what I have now,  I don't
	know if they will last longer than conventional kind, but that isn't too
	long anyway.
(ultra spaced freewheels  -  not my favorite, they are noisy and fussy and the
		tolerences are too tight to fit most 5 speed hubs unspaced.)
"slow" foam seats  -  haven't tried these yet
split roller chains (Sedisport)  -  quieter, but less drag?  worse shifting?
foldable tires  -  especially the heavier ones, for tours.
double pivot derailleurs (Duo-par et al)  -  great stuff
slant panagraph  -  quite venerable now, I never could understand why Suntour
	didn't come out with a premium, robust, Campy quality version of the
	Cyclone GT.  It was quite adequate as a touring derailleur and would
	have preempted the Duo-par with its sturdiness.

Have fun!
Jon. Gingerich