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Post by janice on Jan 6, 2008 21:03:43 GMT -5
OK, this may be a strange request. but i am looking for an old mtn bike that has a good front wheel/forks, but I don't care about the rest of the bike!!
I mean, have y'all ever tried to "wheel" a trail course? It does not work well and it takes forever. Way too bumpy. And you can't ride it on a road bike. And i think that GPS units miss mileage on avg 10+% (just look up close to the course charted by GPS when it has lots of turns/switchbacks)
So what is a trail course measurer to do?!?!
my plan is to take just the front wheel/fork of a mtn bike and mount a "Jones Counter" to it. This is a device used in making accurate course measurements. I would somehow need to saw off and get rid of the rest of the bike. then i could push the mtn bike wheel and counter on whatever trail (or trailish) course i wanted to measure
sooooo, if anyone knows someone with a "dead" mtn bike or even sees one on the side of the road - LET ME KNOW! thx
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Post by colonel on Jan 6, 2008 21:13:10 GMT -5
I'm not sure what I have. I don't think they are technically "mountain bikes" but I have two or three kids bikes that have been outgrown. One of them says "mountain trek" on the side of it. The tires are kinda fat. I think they are 24 inch tires.
I can bring it up one Tuesday and let you look at it.
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Post by atlantatrailsdave on Jan 6, 2008 22:39:06 GMT -5
I've got one if you're still looking.
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timh
Newbie
Posts: 20
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Post by timh on Jan 7, 2008 10:18:13 GMT -5
You don't need to cut off the fork. just unscrew it. Any fork will do, mountain bike or road bike as long as it has a wheel that spins. Check craigslist.com for parts or an old bike.
I have a cheap cycle computer that you can borrow/use for the wheel. You will be able to input the circumference of the wheel into the computer and it will determine the distance traveled based on the number of wheel revolutions.
I'm in Acworth.
678.462.6698 hollingworthtim@yahoo.com
-Tim-
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Post by janice on Jan 7, 2008 10:45:49 GMT -5
but i need the handle bars too. i kind of envision just removing the back end of the bike. BUT, if i removed the fork as you describe then maybe i could create a contraption of some sort in order to "steer" it down the trail
Bag-O-Sand - maybe we could try it out on one of those bikes tomorrow ;D
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timh
Newbie
Posts: 20
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Post by timh on Jan 7, 2008 13:05:38 GMT -5
Just unscrew the fork, pull it apart from the frame and reassemble it all. Should work fine. The computer has a magnetic sensor that attaches to the fork and a magnet that goes on the spoke. The display clamps to the handle bar. You are welcome to it. Myron Avery measured the entire AT end to end with a wheel and fork, no handlebar, similar to what you propose. -Tim-
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Post by janice on Jan 7, 2008 14:34:58 GMT -5
Got it, thanks. That is so cool that Myron Avery used a similar wheel for the AT.
thanks for the computer offer, but i have a few bike computers myself. i may mount one for comparison purposes, but for measuring i will use the "Jones Counter".
if you are interested in measuring read on....otherwise beware of geekiness
a jones counter is really a pretty simple gadget. it has a counter that clicks off for every revolution of the wheel. you use it in combination with a calibration course. the minimum cal course is 300 meters long. the cal course must be completely straight and measured with a steel tape(and a bunch of other requirements but i won't get into all that). you then "wheel" the cal course and determine the number of counts for the given meters or feet. i have a certified 1000 foot calibration course in Kennesaw.
to measure a course, you first calibrate your wheel on the cal course to determine how many counts per mile (or km). if you want to mark the miles then you stop just before hitting that number of counts and then mark that spot. for ultra purposes you might just measure the whole thing from start to finish with no interim measurements
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Post by wesbreeding on Jan 7, 2008 19:25:27 GMT -5
I have taken a course at an RRCA meeting in the past. What are you wanting to wheel? If you need any help let me know.
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Post by janice on Jan 7, 2008 20:08:21 GMT -5
i want to wheel the FA and our future trail courses.
i have certified courses with my Dad, but i would definitely need some help to measure again
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Post by colonel on Jan 7, 2008 20:11:23 GMT -5
I have taken a course at an RRCA meeting in the past. You had to take a course to learn how to roll a wheel?! Weren't you there when the wheel was invented?
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jdog
Stunned Runner
Posts: 72
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Post by jdog on Jan 7, 2008 21:12:41 GMT -5
OH Snap.
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Post by janice on Jan 7, 2008 21:18:38 GMT -5
wes is old, but dude......not as old as the wheel you'd be super-rised at all the rules for rolling a wheel. it takes a monkey to push the wheel but it takes a rocket scientist to follow all the rules and complete the calculations and maps
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Post by Sally on Jan 8, 2008 7:41:49 GMT -5
I think Wes was willing to roll the wheel!
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Post by crimski on Jan 8, 2008 9:15:04 GMT -5
OOOH. That one was good! Yes, I would have to admit...he IS qualified.
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Post by colonel on Jan 8, 2008 11:43:44 GMT -5
Janice, I put the bike in my trunk this morning so that I wouldn't forget it. I also took the front wheel off, but the dang brake cords etc were giving me a hard time. So, the wheel is off, but the handle bars are not attached back to it. I ran out of time. I guess we could just cut the wires, but I didn't want to do that until I was sure this wheel will work for you.
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