WTHarper

2,320 reputation

1515

bio	website	velostrigiformes.tumblr.com
	location	Portland, ME
	age	26
visits	member for	1 year, 1 month
	seen	45 mins ago
stats	profile views	37

I'm fascinated with bicycles...with how they work, how they're built, how they're used, and what they have to offer. I'm pursuing an MS in Civil Engineering specifically to design and construct cycling infrastructure for transportation planning.

I have worked with several bike-share programs providing free access to bicycles for students, workers, and retirees. In addition, I volunteer as a bicycling safety advocate with local schools.

I appreciate lugged steel, leather saddles, Bridgestones, and pink bar tape.

My next big goal is a cross-country ride from Maine to California.

	2,320 reputation	bio	website	velostrigiformes.tumblr.com	visits	member for	1 year, 1 month
1515 badges		location	Portland, ME		seen	45 mins ago

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Jan 19	comment	Difference between 650c and 700c wheels? Except the question specifically asked about 650c on Tri bikes.
Jan 16	comment	Do shops that sell used bikes normally also sell used parts? It will depend on the shop. My local go-to for used parts will only resell a used part if it looks generally unused and didn't come off of a bike that had been wrecked (to prevent faulty parts from causing another wreck.) The risk of buying used parts online is that there is no real quality control.
Jan 16	comment	FSA Gossamer Crank Spider cracked @artistoex FYI it's generally bad form to call out people for down-voting a question. See: (meta.bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/748/…) It is better to ask for constructive criticism or input on how to improve a question.
Jan 15	comment	Can you put a kickstand on the righthand side? Pletscher, Greenfield, Velo Orange...all make very nice models. They're great!
Jan 13	answered	Replacing rear coaster brake wheel on 1959 Roadmaster
Jan 11	comment	Clicking handlebar Brilliant! That is one thing I forgot to recommend!
Jan 3	comment	Extend clearance for a 28mm tire How dedicated are you to 700c sized wheels? Do you and your bike have a committed long-term relationship? What sort of budget is involved?
Jan 2	comment	What are the differences between a mens and womens bike frame? I always compare it to the difference between fiddles and violins.
Dec 30	comment	What sort of bottom bracket does a Trek 1.5 2011 take? Also, it will need to be a 110 mm long spindle.
Dec 30	comment	What sort of bottom bracket does a Trek 1.5 2011 take? More importantly, what is the make and model of your crankset? That will determine both spindle type and length. Most bikes accept bottom brackets with a 68 mm shell and 1.37" x 24 tpi threading (with left-hand threads on the drive side.)
Dec 29	comment	What is it called when you ride a bmx like a unicycle? This is what I'm referencing: meta.bicycles.stackexchange.com/questions/91/bmx-on-bicycles
Dec 29	comment	What is it called when you ride a bmx like a unicycle? The FAQ seems pretty specific - "for people who build and repair bicycles, people who train cycling, or commute on bicycles" ... though Meta doesn't specifically say "no trick questions," only to avoid chit chat. Meta also suggests that BMX is welcome and, as it is primarily racing and tricks, there should be some provision for these types of questions (i.e. how to ask questions about tricks.)
Dec 28	comment	What is the proper way to paint a bicycle? In powder-coating lugged frames, I've found that dark colors go on heavier in general - however, a powder-coating outfit that knows how to prep/coat bicycle frames can usually do a pretty good job. The better paint jobs I've seen involve a very thin primer coat application before the main color, but they cost more. It is a good example of "you get what you pay for."
Dec 28	comment	Advantages / disadvantages of freecoaster and cassette hubs I guess the difference would be that a freewheel/cassette don't allow you to coast backwards, while a free-coaster does. Though to be completely honest, I don't know anything about free-coasters.
Dec 28	comment	Advantages / disadvantages of freecoaster and cassette hubs Ratchet and pawls are what drive both units, so speed is irrelevant in both cases (the only difference is where the ratchet and pawls are located.) They both make a pleasant click-click-click in one direction and bear against the chain in the other.
Dec 27	comment	Is there much of a difference between flatland and park/street frames? Kudos for asking BMX questions on here, though. There aren't many.
Dec 27	comment	Advantages / disadvantages of freecoaster and cassette hubs fyi a cassette and a freewheel are functionally identical insofar as they allow freewheeling (i.e. you can coast, but not backwards). The difference is that a cassette is splined and fits onto the freehub assembly part of a hub, while a freewheel threads onto the hub body itself. Generally, cassettes are multi-speed and freewheels can either be single or multi-speed.
Dec 25	comment	How can I tell if a rim is bent or if the wheel is just out of true? This is an interesting question (one I'd like to know the answer to), but it sounds like everyone's answer is that a wheel builder would know. Maybe add a bit more to flesh out what you're looking for?
Dec 24	comment	Why are steel bikes more expensive than aluminum? Excellent point that used steel bikes are great! There are lots of bikes that were at one point the top of the line. Many have languished in people's basements for decades unnoticed.
Dec 24	comment	Why are steel bikes more expensive than aluminum? That sounds about right. Another big factor is that many steel frame manufacturers are smaller companies. You get a few sizes and maybe one or two colors. Additionally, lugged steel is pricier than TIG-welded because you need pre-cast/cut lugs for different models.