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Jobst Brandt, who posted most of these articles, was the author of the book The Bicycle Wheel. Another selection of his articles can be found at the Frequently Asked Questions section of Sheldon Brown's website. The selection here differs in character in that it has infrequently as well as frequently addressed topics. It also goes more deeply into arguments; there is no shying away here from technical detail, nor from controversy. The FAQ is thus probably a better read for those new to the workings of bicycles; the articles here are more of an advanced course in the subject (although none of this stuff is horribly esoteric).

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Wheels, Tires


Aluminum nipples (Jobst Brandt) [8414 bytes]
Drag of aero wheels (Mark Drela) [6217 bytes]
Avocet dirt tires (Jobst Brandt) [10891 bytes]
Bias ply (Jobst Brandt) [3869 bytes]
Blowouts (Jobst Brandt) [43446 bytes]
Flat tires (Jobst Brandt) [7672 bytes]
Glass punctures (Jobst Brandt) [8685 bytes]
Inflation constriction force (Jobst Brandt) [8179 bytes]
Inner tube evacuation (Jobst Brandt) [2489 bytes]
Inner tube patching (Jobst Brandt) [33959 bytes]
Inner tube ridges (Jobst Brandt) [2481 bytes]
Inner tube stem fail (Jobst Brandt) [7625 bytes]
Inner tubes (Jobst Brandt) [7761 bytes]
Kevlar (Jobst Brandt) [5833 bytes]
Machine-built wheels (Jobst Brandt) [12139 bytes]
Nipple failure (Jobst Brandt) [920 bytes]
Overly swaged spokes (Jobst Brandt; Rafael Raban) [10066 bytes]
Paired spokes (Jobst Brandt) [2282 bytes]
Presta valves (Jobst Brandt) [30706 bytes]
Pretzeled rims (Jobst Brandt) [1517 bytes]
Rim compatibility (Jobst Brandt) [1020 bytes]
Rim bending (Jobst Brandt) [2366 bytes]
Rim cracking (Jobst Brandt) [4272 bytes]
Rim heat (Jobst Brandt) [31638 bytes]
Rim noise (Jobst Brandt) [4606 bytes]
Rim tape / rim strips (Jobst Brandt) [7089 bytes]
Rim wear (Jobst Brandt) [5223 bytes]
Rims (Jobst Brandt; Hans-Joachim Zierke) [120212 bytes]
Rolling resistance (Jobst Brandt, Luns Tee) [31378 bytes] (Graphed at Terry Morse's website)
Rotating mass (Jobst Brandt) [3493 bytes]
Slicks (Jobst Brandt) [58418 bytes]
Spinergy (Jobst Brandt) [7725 bytes]
Spoke count (Jobst Brandt) [11218 bytes]
Spoke lube (Jobst Brandt) [15824 bytes]
Spoke measurement (Jobst Brandt) [385 bytes]
Spoke reuse (Jobst Brandt) [1847 bytes]
Spoke tightening (Jobst Brandt) [20292 bytes]
Spoke tone when plucked (Jobst Brandt) [7286 bytes]
Spoke twist (Jobst Brandt) [2294 bytes]
Spokes (Jobst Brandt) [31535 bytes]
Stress relieving wheels (Jobst Brandt; Mike Prime) [44376 bytes]
Tensiometers (Jobst Brandt) [28458 bytes]
Tire aging (Jobst Brandt) [5767 bytes]
Tire boots (Jobst Brandt) [2776 bytes]
Tire braid angle (Jobst Brandt) [2990 bytes]
Tire color (Jobst Brandt) [21877 bytes]
Tire cords (Jobst Brandt) [7986 bytes]
Tire directional tread (Jobst Brandt) [3244 bytes]
Tire sealants (Jobst Brandt) [6727 bytes]
Tire makers (Jobst Brandt) [1523 bytes]
Tire pressure (Jobst Brandt) [7718 bytes]
Tire recommendation (Jobst Brandt) [14299 bytes]
Tire roll-off (Jobst Brandt) [7432 bytes]
Tire talc (Jobst Brandt) [7818 bytes]
Tire wear (Jobst Brandt) [24027 bytes]
Track glue (Jobst Brandt) [1677 bytes]
Truing (Jobst Brandt) [3074 bytes]
Truing stands (Jobst Brandt) [2411 bytes]
Tubular making (Jobst Brandt) [7518 bytes]
Tubulars (Jobst Brandt) [35064 bytes]
Tying-and-soldering (Jobst Brandt) [3835 bytes]
Wet brakes (Jobst Brandt) [7245 bytes]
Wheel balancing (Jobst Brandt) [17490 bytes]
Wheel building (Jobst Brandt; Norman Yarvin) [2472 bytes]
Wheel drag (Jobst Brandt) [1593 bytes]
Wheel longevity (Jobst Brandt) [5550 bytes]
Wheel side force (Jobst Brandt) [1861 bytes]
Wheel size (Jobst Brandt) [1465 bytes]
Wheel stresses (Jobst Brandt) [2900 bytes]

Cranks, Gears, Chains, Bearings, Axles


Aluminum sprockets (Jobst Brandt) [1804 bytes]
Aluminum ratchets (Jobst Brandt) [5763 bytes]
Axle breakage (Jobst Brandt) [12901 bytes]
Bent axles (Jobst Brandt) [3247 bytes]
Ball bearings (Jobst Brandt) [22993 bytes]
Bearing seals (Jobst Brandt) [2048 bytes]
Biopace (Jobst Brandt) [985 bytes]
Bottom bracket (Jobst Brandt) [7011 bytes]
Bottom bracket threads (Jobst Brandt) [2544 bytes]
Cassette freewheel unscrewing (Jobst Brandt) [3288 bytes]
Chain brands (Hans-Joachim Zierke) [2726 bytes]
Chain cleaning (Jobst Brandt) [14966 bytes]
Chain drive (Jobst Brandt) [1462 bytes]
Chain lubricants (Jobst Brandt) [6933 bytes]
Chains and shifting ease (Jobst Brandt) [7357 bytes]
Chain skip (Jobst Brandt) [1216 bytes]
Chain suck (Jobst Brandt) [915 bytes]
Chain tools (Mark Drela; Jobst Brandt) [6822 bytes]
Chain wear (Jobst Brandt) [14293 bytes]
Chains (Tho X. Bui; Jobst Brandt) [14589 bytes]
Cotter pins (Jobst Brandt) [2494 bytes]
Crank breakage (Jobst Brandt) [14117 bytes]
Crank length (Jobst Brandt) [1713 bytes]
Cranks (Jobst Brandt) [193350 bytes]
Derailleurs (Jobst Brandt) [7808 bytes]
Freewheel lubrication (Hans-Joachim Zierke) [2090 bytes]
Freewheel pawls (Jobst Brandt) [2995 bytes]
Freewheel wobble (Jobst Brandt) [1098 bytes]
Freewheel removal (Jobst Brandt) [5494 bytes]
Freewheel removal without a rim (Paul Southworth; Jobst Brandt) [8626 bytes]
Freewheels (Jobst Brandt) [7169 bytes]
Gear hubs (Jobst Brandt) [1034 bytes]
Gearing choices (Jobst Brandt) [1826 bytes]
Grease (Jobst Brandt) [9693 bytes]
Grease stains (Jobst Brandt) [597 bytes]
Head bearings (Jobst Brandt) [20221 bytes]
Head bearing insertion (Jobst Brandt) [2290 bytes]
Head bearing adjustment (Jobst Brandt) [3413 bytes]
The Hugi hub (Jobst Brandt) [1651 bytes]
Hollow cranks (Jobst Brandt) [3340 bytes]
Hyperglide (Jobst Brandt) [1893 bytes]
Hypoid oil (Jobst Brandt) [1137 bytes]
Indexed steering (Jobst Brandt) [29911 bytes]
ISIS drive (Jobst Brandt) [2272 bytes]
Labyrinth seals (Jobst Brandt) [9723 bytes]
The Mavic Zap derailleur (Jobst Brandt) [11898 bytes]
Narrow chain (Jobst Brandt) [1008 bytes]
Nickel plating (Jobst Brandt) [3723 bytes]
Pedal removal (Jobst Brandt) [2729 bytes]
The Sachs Power Link (Jobst Brandt) [19012 bytes]
Shaft drive (Jobst Brandt; Mark Drela) [6826 bytes]
The Shimano splined bottom bracket (Jobst Brandt) [19198 bytes]
Sprocket washer (Jobst Brandt) [1755 bytes]
Sprocket wear (Jobst Brandt) [4719 bytes]
Sturmey Archer 3-speed hubs (Jobst Brandt) [53097 bytes]
Torpedo hubs (Hans-Joachim Zierke) [10311 bytes]
Worn chains and sprockets (Jobst Brandt) [13103 bytes]

Frames, Seats, Handlebars, Brakes


Reynolds 853 steel (Mark Bulgier) [2438 bytes]
Brake bolts (Jobst Brandt) [3690 bytes]
Brake cable wear (Jobst Brandt) [2026 bytes]
Brake centering (Jobst Brandt) [15355 bytes]
Brake chatter (Jobst Brandt) [997 bytes]
Brake leverage (Jobst Brandt) [13285 bytes]
Brake pads (Jobst Brandt) [18880 bytes]
Brake rigidity (Chalo Colina; Jobst Brandt) [33028 bytes]
Brake rotors (Bob Flumere; Jobst Brandt) [4535 bytes]
Brake squeal (Jobst Brandt) [6690 bytes]
Brake toe in (Jobst Brandt) [3760 bytes]
Brake types (Jobst Brandt) [2683 bytes]
Cable ends (Jobst Brandt) [2148 bytes]
Cutting cable housing (Jobst Brandt) [1175 bytes]
Carbon forks (Jobst Brandt) [2963 bytes]
Chainstay bridges (Jobst Brandt) [1306 bytes]
Composite frames (Jobst Brandt) [2769 bytes]
The Campagnolo Delta brake (Jobst Brandt) [1094 bytes]
Disk brakes and quick-release unscrewing (James Annan; Jobst Brandt) [72480 bytes]
Disk brakes (Jobst Brandt) [23908 bytes]
Dropout breakage (Jobst Brandt) [2744 bytes]
Drop bars (Jobst Brandt) [1027 bytes]
Epoxy (Mark Drela) [5211 bytes]
Fenders (Jobst Brandt) [1162 bytes]
Filigree lugs (Jobst Brandt) [7955 bytes]
Fork failures (Jobst Brandt) [12198 bytes]
Frame bending (Jobst Brandt) [12924 bytes]
Frame breakage (Jobst Brandt) [8865 bytes]
Frame dimensions (Jobst Brandt) [9797 bytes]
Frame flex (Charles Bruce Musgrave) [6460 bytes]
Frame joints (Jobst Brandt) [1766 bytes]
Frame rust (Jobst Brandt; Joshua_Putnam) [7886 bytes]
Frames (Jobst Brandt) [2228 bytes]
Frozen stem removal (Jobst Brandt) [19494 bytes]
Handlebar breakage (Jobst Brandt) [744 bytes]
Handlebar tape (Jobst Brandt) [1402 bytes]
Head angle (Jobst Brandt) [13273 bytes]
Leather saddles (Jobst Brandt) [5250 bytes]
Rake (Jobst Brandt) [9989 bytes]
Ride quality (Jobst Brandt) [5155 bytes]
Rivnuts (Mark McMaster; Jobst Brandt) [17630 bytes]
Rust (Jobst Brandt) [6699 bytes]
Seats (Jobst Brandt) [16022 bytes]
Seat stay strength (Mark Bulgier; Jobst Brandt) [4574 bytes]
Unsticking a seatpost (Jon Isaacs; Jobst Brandt) [9820 bytes]
Short chainstays (Jobst Brandt) [8168 bytes]
SIS cable housing (Jobst Brandt) [3211 bytes]
SPD pedals (Jobst Brandt) [15261 bytes]
Stress formula book (Jobst Brandt) [1148 bytes]
Suspension fork stiffness (Dave Blake; Jobst Brandt; Mark Hickey; Mark McMaster) [7534 bytes]
Threadless headsets (Jobst Brandt) [12418 bytes]
Track dropouts (Jobst Brandt) [1751 bytes]

Politics, Companies, Trends, Riding, Transport


Air transport of bicycles (Jobst Brandt) [940 bytes]
Baggage on the bicycle (Jobst Brandt) [10522 bytes]
The bicycle industry (Jobst Brandt) [38410 bytes]
Learing to bicycle (Jobst Brandt) [1060 bytes]
Bicycling style (Jobst Brandt) [4485 bytes]
Bike helmets (Dave Blake; Lee Green MD MPH) [23083 bytes]
Bike jackets (Jobst Brandt) [15917 bytes]
Bike trails (Jobst Brandt) [4060 bytes]
Botts' Dots (Jobst Brandt) [6226 bytes]
Campagnolo (Jobst Brandt) [2617 bytes]
Camelback (Jobst Brandt) [7976 bytes]
Car vs bike (Jobst Brandt) [8227 bytes]
Cycling caps (Jobst Brandt) [1067 bytes]
Cops (Jobst Brandt) [5620 bytes]
Descending (Jobst Brandt) [29381 bytes]
Dogs (Jobst Brandt) [1009 bytes]
Electrolytes (Jobst Brandt) [5063 bytes]
Elliptical oil rings on the road (Jobst Brandt) [2471 bytes]
Eye protection (Jobst Brandt) [3967 bytes]
Gloves (Jobst Brandt) [1937 bytes]
Gyroscopic effects (Jobst Brandt) [2438 bytes]
Helmets (Charles Bruce Musgrave; Lee Green MD MPH) [25908 bytes]
Headlights (Jobst Brandt) [1023 bytes]
High speed (Jobst Brandt) [15209 bytes]
Hip breakage (Jobst Brandt) [11303 bytes]
Italian pronunciations (Jobst Brandt) [5085 bytes]
Ice riding (Jobst Brandt) [3645 bytes]
Indoor trainers (Jobst Brandt) [1877 bytes]
Jargon (Jobst Brandt) [4144 bytes]
Knee problems (Jobst Brandt) [9030 bytes]
Knit jerseys (Jobst Brandt) [2452 bytes]
Learning to ride a bicycle (Jobst Brandt) [21587 bytes]
Lawsuits (Jobst Brandt) [34095 bytes]
Left turns (Jobst Brandt) [2035 bytes]
Leg shaving (Jobst Brandt) [3363 bytes]
Magazines (Jobst Brandt) [2258 bytes]
Mountain bikes (Jobst Brandt) [19395 bytes]
Mountain bikers (Jobst Brandt) [23915 bytes]
Nerve compression (Dave Blake) [2999 bytes]
Nutrition (Dave Blake) [3020 bytes]
No-hands riding (Jobst Brandt) [4441 bytes]
Ocean beaches (Jobst Brandt) [1347 bytes]
Going over the handlebars (Jobst Brandt) [2192 bytes]
Pack riding (Jobst Brandt) [3387 bytes]
Pedaling (Jobst Brandt) [3744 bytes]
Pepper spray (Lee Albert Green MD MPH) [1180 bytes]
Poison oak (Jobst Brandt) [5146 bytes]
Polarized glasses (Jobst Brandt) [3463 bytes]
Polypropylene clothing (Jobst Brandt) [2282 bytes]
Power bars (Jobst Brandt) [1264 bytes]
Puncture vine (Jobst Brandt) [10441 bytes]
Pumps (Jobst Brandt) [1248 bytes]
QR accidents (Jobst Brandt) [1609 bytes]
Racers' descending abilities (Jobst Brandt) [25615 bytes]
Recumbents (Jobst Brandt) [6471 bytes]
Roof racks (Jobst Brandt) [821 bytes]
San Francisco area bike paths (Jobst Brandt) [3242 bytes]
Shimmy (Jobst Brandt) [29744 bytes]
Spinning (Dave Blake; Jobst Brandt) [18929 bytes]
Steep grades (Jobst Brandt; Mark Bulgier) [2827 bytes]
Storage (Jobst Brandt) [495 bytes]
Stunts (Jobst Brandt) [1580 bytes]
Track riding (Jobst Brandt) [2447 bytes]
Track stands (Jobst Brandt) [3166 bytes]
Triathletes (Jobst Brandt) [4543 bytes]
Water bottle taste (Jobst Brandt) [1655 bytes]
Jamming wheels (Jobst Brandt) [1067 bytes]

Miscellaneous


Altimeters (Jobst Brandt) [7472 bytes]
Aluminum hydrogen embrittlement (Tho X. Bui) [3450 bytes]
Antiseize (Jobst Brandt) [5204 bytes]
Bicycle-mounted generators (Jobst Brandt) [1464 bytes]
BMW opposed-cylinder engine (Jobst Brandt) [2442 bytes]
Cattle guards (Jobst Brandt) [2501 bytes]
Camshaft drive (Jobst Brandt) [3729 bytes]
Cyclometer waterproofness (Jobst Brandt) [1714 bytes]
Cyclometer contact cleaning (Jobst Brandt) [1511 bytes]
Cleaners (Jobst Brandt) [1266 bytes]
Clearcoat (Jobst Brandt) [2913 bytes]
The Corvair (Jobst Brandt) [5325 bytes]
Dessicant (Jobst Brandt) [1475 bytes]
A double-acting pump (Jobst Brandt) [11074 bytes]
The Sturmey-Archer Dyno Hub (Jobst Brandt) [5248 bytes]
Engine balance (Jobst Brandt) [17448 bytes]
The Golden Gate Bridge (Jobst Brandt) [3590 bytes]
Limited-slip differentials (Doug Milliken; Jobst Brandt) [3421 bytes]
Loctite (Jobst Brandt) [3844 bytes]
Mystery squeak (Jobst Brandt) [1626 bytes]
Pump oil (Jobst Brandt) [1508 bytes]
Railroad energy losses (Jobst Brandt) [1522 bytes]
Rear steering (Jobst Brandt) [2031 bytes]
Road cracks (Jobst Brandt) [18807 bytes]
Rotary engines (Jobst Brandt) [12190 bytes]
The Silca Impero pump (Jobst Brandt) [9075 bytes]
San Francisco cable car brakes (Jobst Brandt) [4793 bytes]
The myth of "tired" springs (Jobst Brandt) [2440 bytes]
Top tube wrap (Jobst Brandt) [1289 bytes]
Tribology (Jobst Brandt) [3374 bytes]

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