BQ 10 (Winter 2004)
$9.75
Vol. 3, No. 2
Gravel Riding
Long before it became popular, we explored gravel roads in the Cascades on a 1952 Jo Routens. As a counterpoint, we examine Eddy Merckx’ hour record bike, and portray José Meiffret, the “human cannonball” who set many records paced by cars.
Mark Vande Kamp muses about frame stiffness and the hunting tools of Native Americans, and concludes that stiffer may not always be better. A reprint of the very first René Herse catalogue makes you dream about the bikes you could have ordered in 1947, while a Dujardin from 1948 shows what was possible on a more restricted budget. Even the Dujardin is equipped with a hand-made front derailleur, Nivex rear and innovative Frexel cantilever brakes that push the pads straight toward the rim.
In one of our first technical articles, we look at wheel sizes and explain why wider tires don’t slow you down. We also examine the gearing of your bike, and help you select the perfect gear ratios for your riding.
- Table of Contents
- 1 Riding the Mountains on a 1952 Jo Routens
- 5 Eddy Merckx' Hour Record Bicycle (Daniel Rebour 1973)
- 7 How the Hour Record Bike Came to Seattle
- 8 José Meiffret: The "Human Cannonball"
- 10 Atlatls, Baidarkas, and Bicycle Frame Stiffness
- 12 Update on the Technical Trials 2005
- 12 Opportunities for Framebuilders
- 13 The First René HERSE Catalogue ? (Daniel Rebour 1946)
- 18 The Magazine Le Cycliste and the Cyclotouring Movement
- 20 Book Reviews and Equipment Tests
- 22 Advanced Technology: Raymond Henry's ca. 1948 Dujardin
- 25 Choosing Your Wheels: History, Comfort and Rolling Resistance
- 26 Choosing the Gear Ratios for Your Bike
