M
mike anderson
Guest
On 2005-11-14 16:14:30 -0500, [email protected] said:
> Mike Anderson writes:
>
>>>> I am looking for an alternative to DT Proline pre-tinned wire.
>
>>>> I would like to try tying and soldering for practice. I know that
>>>> DT sells wire and solder, but it is pricey. Are there suitable
>>>> items available? I would like to find an alternative that is as
>>>> easy to yank as the DT wire. I will use the knot-free method.
>
>>>> I know the question of tie and solder have been discussed many
>>>> times. I am just looking for a more economical pre-tinned wire
>>>> regardless if the method is useful or not.
>
>>> You didn't say why you want to undertake this tedious chore. I
>>> hope you are aware that measurements were made on hand built wheels
>>> furnished by Wheelsmith before and after tying and soldering to
>>> prove that there was no possible structural effect from this
>>> process.
>
>>> John Starley invented cross laced spoking on high wheelers so that
>>> he could tie spokes at crossing points to prevent them from causing
>>> a header when they broke. That was the initial purpose of cross
>>> lacing spokes, so that they could be tied together. Shortly after
>>> that Renold showed Starley his bicycle chain and the chain driven
>>> bicycle of today was born.
>
>>> Wheel builders were furious that he made tying spokes unnecessary
>>> so they began using wire and soldering them to convince people that
>>> this made their wheels "stronger" without showing the need for that
>>> strength or how it could affect durability. They got so good a
>>> telling these fables that 100 years passed without a real challenge
>>> to the concept. It was pure faith... "why would they lie to me?"
>>> Well, in fact the art was so old that the purveyors believed it
>>> themselves.
>
>>> I assure you that there is nothing to it, except that replacing a
>>> broken spoke becomes more difficult. I've seen it done back when
>>> this was a common practice.
>
>> My reason is pure vanity - I think it looks cool. I ride vintage
>> racing bikes and it adds yet a little aesthetics to the bike.
>
> Well that's a valid cause. I believe old track bicycles look best
> with high flange (Racelite/Airlite) hubs, 28 or 32 thin spokes tied
> and soldered, looking as though the really lived in those days.
The British FB Airlite hubs, classic.
> Of
> course, inch pitch block chain is also an important piece of
> nostalgia.
>
> http://derbyking.com/Detail/?n=131
>
> I recall how Jack Disney, our local monster sprinter, insisted that
> track sprinters were too strong for 3/32 road chain and that only a
> 3/16 by inch pitch block chain could reliably transmit the power. All
> his wheels were tied and soldered.
>
> His 15 degree droop nosed steel bar stems with bars that curved down
> from the clamp with no "tops" to them, they being only designed for
> riding on the drops. Ah yes, the old classics.
This must have been something extra for sure! I will search the web for
a picture of a handle bar like this.
Thanks for the info about the Wippermann chain. It is the first time I
hear about it.
mike
> Mike Anderson writes:
>
>>>> I am looking for an alternative to DT Proline pre-tinned wire.
>
>>>> I would like to try tying and soldering for practice. I know that
>>>> DT sells wire and solder, but it is pricey. Are there suitable
>>>> items available? I would like to find an alternative that is as
>>>> easy to yank as the DT wire. I will use the knot-free method.
>
>>>> I know the question of tie and solder have been discussed many
>>>> times. I am just looking for a more economical pre-tinned wire
>>>> regardless if the method is useful or not.
>
>>> You didn't say why you want to undertake this tedious chore. I
>>> hope you are aware that measurements were made on hand built wheels
>>> furnished by Wheelsmith before and after tying and soldering to
>>> prove that there was no possible structural effect from this
>>> process.
>
>>> John Starley invented cross laced spoking on high wheelers so that
>>> he could tie spokes at crossing points to prevent them from causing
>>> a header when they broke. That was the initial purpose of cross
>>> lacing spokes, so that they could be tied together. Shortly after
>>> that Renold showed Starley his bicycle chain and the chain driven
>>> bicycle of today was born.
>
>>> Wheel builders were furious that he made tying spokes unnecessary
>>> so they began using wire and soldering them to convince people that
>>> this made their wheels "stronger" without showing the need for that
>>> strength or how it could affect durability. They got so good a
>>> telling these fables that 100 years passed without a real challenge
>>> to the concept. It was pure faith... "why would they lie to me?"
>>> Well, in fact the art was so old that the purveyors believed it
>>> themselves.
>
>>> I assure you that there is nothing to it, except that replacing a
>>> broken spoke becomes more difficult. I've seen it done back when
>>> this was a common practice.
>
>> My reason is pure vanity - I think it looks cool. I ride vintage
>> racing bikes and it adds yet a little aesthetics to the bike.
>
> Well that's a valid cause. I believe old track bicycles look best
> with high flange (Racelite/Airlite) hubs, 28 or 32 thin spokes tied
> and soldered, looking as though the really lived in those days.
The British FB Airlite hubs, classic.
> Of
> course, inch pitch block chain is also an important piece of
> nostalgia.
>
> http://derbyking.com/Detail/?n=131
>
> I recall how Jack Disney, our local monster sprinter, insisted that
> track sprinters were too strong for 3/32 road chain and that only a
> 3/16 by inch pitch block chain could reliably transmit the power. All
> his wheels were tied and soldered.
>
> His 15 degree droop nosed steel bar stems with bars that curved down
> from the clamp with no "tops" to them, they being only designed for
> riding on the drops. Ah yes, the old classics.
This must have been something extra for sure! I will search the web for
a picture of a handle bar like this.
Thanks for the info about the Wippermann chain. It is the first time I
hear about it.
mike
