Sheldon Brown (bicycle mechanic)
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| Sheldon Brown | |
 Sheldon Brown and "Igor" while icebiking
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| Born | July 14, 1944 Boston, Massachusetts |
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| Died | February 3, 2008 (aged 63) Boston, Massachusetts |
| Cause of death | Heart attack |
| Residence | Newtonville, Massachusetts |
| Nationality | American |
| Other names | Christopher Joyce (nom de plume); Carapace Completed Umber (alter ego) |
| Occupation | Bicycle mechanic, Webmaster, Writer, Photographer |
| Employer | Harris Cyclery |
| Home town | Marblehead, Massachusetts |
| Spouse(s) | Harriet Fell |
| Children | Tova and George |
| Parents | George Matson Brown and Madalyn Joyce Brown |
| Website http://sheldonbrown.com |
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Notes
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Sheldon Brown (July 14, 1944 – February 3, 2008) was an American bicycle mechanic and technical authority.[2] He maintained a website containing articles relating to bicycle mechanics and maintenance, as well as a glossary of bicycling terminology. His trademark beard and plastic helmet-mounted eagle,[3] Igor, were matters of frequent comment.
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[edit] Biography
Sheldon Brown was "parts manager, webmaster and general tech guru" of Harris Cyclery, a bike shop in West Newton, Massachusetts. He was an enthusiast for old and unlikely forms of bicycles and cycling including Raleigh and English three-speed bicycles,[4] the Sturmey-Archer hub in general, tandems, and in particular fixed-gear cycles. He repaired cameras, and was an accomplished amateur photographer and his site is illustrated with his work.
[edit] Online
Brown wrote a guide to wheelbuilding, available on his website. He also established the mirror sites of the technical work of Damon Rinard and others.
With Galen Evans and Osman Isvan, Brown developed a method to determine and compare bicycle gear ratios. His method, which for any combination of front chainring, rear cog, wheels size and crank length, results in a pure ratio that Brown terms the "gain ratio." This method purports to be the only formula that takes into account crank length in addition to chainring, cog and wheel size. [5]
Brown was a frequent participant in online cycling forums such as the rec.bicycles.tech Usenet newsgroup and bikeforums.net. His April Fool's Day articles[6] were awaited by the online cycling community. On some groups, links to his site in response to technical questions were flagged with the abbreviation AASHTA (As Always, Sheldon Has The Answer).
[edit] Overseas
In 2004, Brown was recognized for his contribution to cycling by the UK's Cyclists' Touring Club (CTC). Brown wrote the Mechanical Advantage column for Adventure Cyclist. His site is referenced in the technical library of the CTC.[7]
[edit] Illness and death
Brown developed a nerve deterioration over the last years of his life. After losing his ability to balance an upright bicycle, he continued pedaling by using a recumbent tricycle.[8] In August 2007, Brown was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis. Brown died on February 3, 2008 after a heart attack.[9][10] A gracious email was sent by his family on August 31,2008; "Just this past Sunday, we held a family ceremony to scatter Sheldon's ashes at sea. We miss him dearly and cherish all the letters and emails that people have sent. Though it has taken us a long time to reply, we do want to let you know that your memories and condolences are greatly appreciated. He lives on through his writings and all the people who appreciate so fondly.-- Harriet, Tova, and George.".
[edit] References
- ^ Brown, Sheldon. "Sheldon Brown's Home Page". Sheldon Brown. Retrieved on 2008-02-04.
- ^ Kerber, Ross (2008-02-08). "Homespun wisdom". The Boston Globe. NY Times Co.. Retrieved on 2008-02-08.
- ^ Brown, Sheldon, About My Helmet, http://www.sheldonbrown.com/eagle.html, retrieved on 24 May 2007
- ^ Brown, Sheldon. "Servicing English Three Speeds". Sheldon Brown. Retrieved on 2008-02-05.
- ^ Brown, Sheldon. "Gain Ratios". Sheldon Brown. Retrieved on 2008-02-08.
- ^ Brown, Sheldon. "Bicycle Humor". Sheldon Brown. Retrieved on 2008-02-05.
- ^ Juden, Chris, Cranks & Bottom Brackets Q&A, http://www.ctc.org.uk/DesktopDefault.aspx?TabID=3807, retrieved on 24 May 2007
- ^ Brown, Sheldon. "The Bright Side of MS by Sheldon Brown". Sheldon Brown. Retrieved on 2008-02-05.
- ^ "Sheldon Brown: 1944 - 2008". Retrieved on 2008-02-05.
- ^ Boulanger, Gary (2008-02-04). "Sheldon Brown: 1944 - 2008", BikeRadar (Bath, England), Future Publishing Limited. Retrieved on 4 February 2008.
