Re: Suspension losses

On 1/13/2025 9:57 AM, Wolfgang Strobl wrote:

Am Sun, 12 Jan 2025 21:05:47 -0500 schrieb Frank Krygowski
<frkrygow@sbcglobal.net>:
 

On 1/12/2025 3:33 PM, Wolfgang Strobl wrote:

Am Sat, 11 Jan 2025 19:46:50 -0500 schrieb Frank Krygowski
<frkrygow@sbcglobal.net>:
>

To me, a big advantage is the ability to _look_ at a mechanical device
and _see_ what's wrong....

>

That, and the fact I can often affect a repair.

>
I prefer devices that don't need repair over their lifetime.

>
The weakness I see with that is the assumption that "lifetime" is
defined as "the amount of time it works." if something stops working,
its lifetime is over! Throw it out!

 That's far too simplistic.
 It depends.  For my purposes, I indeed prefer bicycles that may need
repairs and modifications over their lifetime, for various reasons. I
change over my lifetime, so do my bicycles.  But there are limits. Want
it cheap, longlived, lightweight and functional? Choose any two.
 

>
As I said, I hate the Kleenex ethic - "It's no good any more, just throw
it away."

 A strawman isn't getting any more pretty, over time. You won't find many
complex products, machines, vehicles or components with an unlimited
lifetime.  Product lifetime has to be planned. There is innovation,
innovation means change.  There are technical limits. So far, I haven't
heard about bicycle tires that tolerate heavy use over a lifetime of 40
years, as you ask for.  To be precise, I don't know of any that I would
like to use or that I would risk using.

I think my Cannondale touring bike qualifies. Of course I've replaced consumable items like tires, chains, cogs, brake shoes, handlebar tape and occasionally a chainring. I've made some equipment substitutions (saddle, bar-end shifters, "aero" brake levers) but the original equipment is exceptionally durable.
For one example: The square taper cranks that Tom mocks still work perfectly well. I had to replace the original sealed bottom bracket one time, but there was no confusion about compatibility (and my cranks did not fall off!). The Stronglite roller bearing headset has also lasted decades, with one parts replacement. The SunTour rear derailleur is still perfect, although I did cheat a bit. When I powder coated our bikes, I traded my derailleur for my wife's, figuring hers had many fewer miles; but both still work just fine. Wheels are not original because I switched from 27" to 700C, but they're 20 years old.

Anyway, I see no reason why the wireless shifting of our bikes shouldn't
outlive a similar purely mechanical one...

I guess we'll see, eventually.

There was a similar problem with our TV, too many separate components. I
solved that by using a power strip combined with a separate central
switch at an easy to reach location.  Powering on/off needs two actions:
central switch plus a button on the PC, powering off is done via
keyboard and central switch.  That way, all that stuff doesn't consume
standby power, when not in use.
 

I pump the TV sound through our stereo amplifier, which
has its own remote (whose volume control seems to have stopped working),
the CD/DVD player has a separate remote, etc. etc. If we had a friend
house sit for us, I'd have to write a manual on how to run the system.

 This can actually be automated quite easily for devices with IR remote
controls. However, it does require a little programming and soldering
work.

About that: A few years ago I got annoyed at the number of remotes. I'd read a good review about a programmable universal remote, and bought it. I followed the tedious instructions to program it so I could hit one button for "Watch TV", another button for "Play CD", another button for "Listen to radio" etc.
It's less than ideal. Part of the problem, I think, is that some of the devices use the same signal code as a toggle for "power-on" & "power-off", as opposed to a separate code for "On" and "Off." If a device is left in the wrong state, things don't work. There was also some dimly remembered problem where commands from the remote had to arrive at the TV at the proper instant - not too soon, not too late - and the program couldn't manage that, despite the nice lady at the 800 help number trying over and over to cure. (I suppose I could dig back into the programming, but I'm not motivated.)

I've seen many such fans, radiant heaters and the like, where the pull
chain or drawstring had been lost or damaged. But I have rarely
misplacted an IR remote, simply because there is no point in moving it
out of the room where the controlled device is located.

Your rooms must be much less messy than mine!

...when we
did our first tours with Peugeot bicycles bought in 1978, we were young
and we mostly rode on the flat. A piece of cake, even with only 2 x 5
and without indexing.

As I get older and older, I'm trying to get more comfortable with being an old guy who avoids mountains. Maybe some guy in a Frank Patterson drawing:
https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/frank-patterson-cycling-artist-500010568
--
- Frank Krygowski