Carol and John:
You will be glad to know that your Miyata and Peugeot are very cool in today's biking world. They use very functional, simple, and sturdy components which is why one can still be riding a bike that was made 40 years ago. For example, modern Shimano shifters are $350-$500 (discounted)and are unrepairable, literally. When they break, they are gone. Carbon frames are strong in certain directions but are easily crushed by clamping forces. Now you need to use a torque wrench if you are tightening stems or seat bolts. So, Carol, feel sympathy for that young wrench who is trapped in the present where everything is carbon and fragile.
I had written a long reply on the meaning of nostalgia last night but had sent it to the trash because I was unhappy with it. But the basic message was the following. Why would one ride a bike that was made 40 years ago? Typical answers include "return to one's youth" and "inability to appreciate new ways." But I think there is an alternative explanation. Sometimes one can see that newer is not better. Newer may have unanticipated consequences which will be perceptible to those with experience with other technologies. Carbon parts are lighter than steel or aluminum but are more fragile.
I was having conversations with colleagues about paying bills. I still write checks and keep a written tally. I do this to slow myself down and think about where my money has gone. Some of my colleagues use automatic drafts. This is very fast and easy but they don't need to look where the money has gone. They can't explain the current state of their bank account. I can explain and anticipate what will be the state of my account at the end of the month.
In a retro mood, Ken --------------------------------------------------------------- Kenneth M. Steele, Ph.D. steel...@appstate.edu Professor and Assistant Chairperson Department of Psychology http://www.psych.appstate.edu Appalachian State University Boone, NC 28608 USA --------------------------------------------------------------- On 3/16/2011 10:32 PM, Carol DeVolder wrote:
I have a 1980 Miyata (bike, not car) and when I wanted to get it tuned up, I asked about it at a local bike shop. The kid had no idea what I meant by a "touring bike" until a somewhat older employee told him. I felt really, really old. I still have clips on it rather than those fancy things you snap onto the bottom of your shoes. Comparably, it weighs a ton, but it carried me across Iowa many times. Carol On Wed, Mar 16, 2011 at 7:22 PM, John Kulig <ku...@mail.plymouth.edu <mailto:ku...@mail.plymouth.edu>> wrote: Ken et al Oh man! I love those old bikes. Mine may be a 75 or 76, but I have a 'bike license' sticker on it from 1977, so its at least that old. I am considering getting it out of storage and re-building it. Question (off list if this gets annoying to others): Did you find original parts for it? I still have the analog shift levers and brakes, and my local bike shop said they MIGHT be able to find original parts; I want to keep it as close to original as possible. ========================== John W. Kulig, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology Director, Psychology Honors Plymouth State University Plymouth NH 03264 ========================== ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ken Steele" <steel...@appstate.edu <mailto:steel...@appstate.edu>> To: "Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS)" <tips@fsulist.frostburg.edu <mailto:tips@fsulist.frostburg.edu>> Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 7:36:06 PM Subject: Re: [tips] Metric system as pet peeve There is a sign post on I-40 heading west from NC towards Knoxville, TN, that announces that Knoxville is 19 KM into the distance. It was put up prior to the 1982 Knoxville Worlds Fair to "internationalize" the event. It was still there as of last year; one of my favorite road signs. Ken PS - John, I have an upgraded '73 Peugeot "in my stable" which I rebuilt a couple of years ago. On 3/16/2011 5:57 PM, John Kulig wrote: > > Wasn't that attempted during the Carter administration in the > US? Didn't work too well if I remember. Oh, the other way > people in the US become familiar with metric is as a 'do it > your-selfer' with separate sets of wrenches in the garage. And > in the 1970s when many of us went on biking crazes (I STILL > have my 1977 10 speed Peugeot) - everyone did their our own > maintenance and got familiar with metric very quickly. > > ========================== John W. Kulig, Ph.D. Professor of > Psychology Director, Psychology Honors Plymouth State > University Plymouth NH 03264 ========================== > --------------------------------------------------------------- Kenneth M. Steele, Ph.D. steel...@appstate.edu <mailto:steel...@appstate.edu> Professor Department of Psychology http://www.psych.appstate.edu Appalachian State University Boone, NC 28608 USA --------------------------------------------------------------- -- Carol DeVolder, Ph.D. Professor and Chair, Department of Psychology St. Ambrose University 518 West Locust Street Davenport, Iowa 52803 563-333-6482 This e-mail might be confidential, so please don't share it.
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