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CSIT RTW Bulletin #18: Jan 2002

http://cs.anu.edu.au/csitRTW/bulletins/RTW.18.Jan02.html
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Definitely a season where a water bottle + holder is a useful accessory for those longer rides!

Feature: Spokes aint spokes

Apart from flats, spoke breakage is perhaps the next most frequent problem with regular (esp. rough) riding. While spoke breakages rarely stop you, those on the rear wheel can take a bit of trouble to fix (and make riding less enjoyable in the meantime). As with flats, prevention is better than cure...

Last year, I met a visitor from Germany who was also a keen cyclist. I got around to grumbling about a run of spoke breakages (always at the neck of the spoke) at that time. He responded that the very ordinary spokes generally used here aggravated this problem and mentioned a more robust kind of spoke made by DT Swiss. This spoke is thicker at the neck and is flattened along its length - both of these features make the neck effectively stronger.

I've spoken to Bike Shops who said DT Swiss spokes were effective, but also what was important is quality tight-fitting hubs (any movement between the spoke neck and the hub will cause fatigue).

So next time you are thinking of ordering a new bike or wheel, something to think about is reducing the frequency of spoke breakages: maybe the extra cost will be worth the future convenience.

Re: Power assisted bikes

Back some time ago, we had a feature on Power assisted bikes. A report in the Sep 01 PP bulletin gives an interesting exposition on electrically powered bikes, and how they can make cycling more accessible. Perhaps a vision for a green and pervasive mode of personal transport in the future?

Recent Events

  1. CSIT Ride #2: CSIT around the West Basin (Nov 3):
    Thirteen riders met at 9:30 that Saturday to enjoy a relaxed-paced ride out around Scrivener Dam. The group split into two at Yarralumla, with the first group going around the east basin. We all met up again Tosolini's by 11am for a relaxed coffer and chat.
  2. Other Saturday Rides:
    There have been a few others since, ranging from mountain bike rides to a CSIT-Cotter-Uriara-West Belconnen loop. All a lot of fun and a real challenge! Due to their more specialized nature, they may not get widely (or at all) advertised. But if youre interested in these kinds of rides, contact Steven Hanley (DCS), John Zigman (DCS) or myself.

Upcoming Event: CSIT Ride Sat Jan 12

(orig. announcement From John.Zigman@cs Tue Jan 8 12:25:29 2002 to all@cs)

A relaxed ride, this time around the eastern basin, out to the Wetlands amd back along the Molonglo for coffee at Regatta Point. Meet at the front of CSIT Building at 8:20am.
Occasional riders + friends/family welcome! (but should be capable of slightly more than 20km/h average pace).

Well thats it for these 2 months. Happy cycling! -Peter.

***** If you'd like to make a contribution to the next bulletin, *****
***** please email it to me by the end of Feb 2002 *****

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RTW: sponsored by Pedal Power, HealthPact,
ACT Heart Foundation & Mont Adventure Equipment

oooooooo Be Active for Life ! oooooooo
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