By now, if you’re plugged in to the online cycling community, you know that Sheldon Brown, one of the best-read and most-respected voices of cycling online, died Sunday.

“I have always loved riding bicycles, especially for the feeling of freedom and self-sufficiency that they give.”
– Sheldon Brown, 1944-2008

Like many avid cyclists who like to (1) tinker with their bikes and (2) surf the Web, I e-mailed Sheldon about several projects over the years, and got prompt, gracious responses each time.

I will fondly remember him for letting me know the historic significance of the Fuji S-10-S, which I was debating about fixing up. I often refer to his Web site, a virtual bicycling encyclopedia, and I have referenced it many times on this site. The page he wrote about his bikes says a lot about his personality and expertise.

As I thought about Sheldon and his influence, I recalled two projects that a non-bike-person would probably find bizarre, or perhaps a little alarming. I am no great wrench, but his clear writing and obvious trustworthiness persuaded me to try these medieval-sounding procedures:

• I removed a cottered crank from a Peugot under the following advice from Sheldon (some of my favorite lines from his writing): “You need a short length of pipe, long enough to go from the underside of the crank to the floor. Wedge it in position so that the non-threaded end of the cotter can fit inside of it. The pipe will transmit the impact of the hammer to the floor, so as not to damage the bearing cups or axle cones. I prefer a claw hammer to a ball peen. Claw hammers are designed to drive nails without bending them, and that is very similar to what you want to do to a cotter. Most people are scared to hit a bicycle with a hammer, and are afraid they will miss if they swing too hard. They go “tappy-tappy-tap”, nothing happens, then they try hitting a bit harder, then harder still, until the end of the cotter is mushroomed over or bends. If you are going to hammer a cotter, pretend that you are going to try to smash the crank right off the axle. Hold the hammer by the end of the handle, and give it everything you’ve got! …” Well, Sheldon, I whaled away, and it worked! Thanks!
•  I bent the frame of an ancient Nishiki in order to make a wider-axled wheel fit on it. Sheldon again: “Although it seems fairly alarming to deliberately bend your frame, it is really not that cataclismic an operation …” and: “There are a number of ways to do spread a frame. Probably the easiest way is to use a lever. A piece of 2 x 3 or 2 x 4 lumber, roughly 5-6 feet long works well for this …” Suffice it to say that my operation involved a chair, a piece of lumber as he described, a ruler, and a good deal of trepidation. And you know what, Sheldon? This worked as well!

Many great RIPs to Sheldon have popped up online. Here are a few links:

• Grant Peterson at Rivendell Bicycle works: “Thousands of words have been written about it by now. It should be hundreds of thousands …”
• Nice overview of his career from Wired Blog Network.
• The Internet Bobs come through as usual with articulate and thoughtful comments and tributes: 1, 2.
• Best wishes from the commuters at Bike Forums.
• Dave Moulton’s tribute: “You can measure a person’s greatness by the number of lives they touch; Sheldon Brown surely touched many lives.”
• Who knows how many how many guys across the country can identify with this statement: “From across the country, Sheldon helped me acquire parts for my first serious bicycle project …”
• More from guys I like to read: Jason Nunemaker | Kent Peterson
• Here’s another roundup.

“Canadian consumer products company Dorel Industries Ltd. said it agreed to acquire Cannondale Bicycle Corp., a maker of high-end bicycles, for $190 million to $200 million, subject to Cannondale’s earnings for the year ending June 30. The purchase also includes Sugoi Performance Apparel. Dorel said the acquisition, which is being financed through debt, will immediately boost its earnings. Dorel already makes bicycles through its Pacific Cycle division, whose brands include Schwinn and GT. Dorel said that after the acquisition, its recreational/leisure segment will be split into two operating divisions. The new Cannondale Sports Group will focus on brands sold through independent dealers. Pacific Cycle will become a stand-alone division focused on the mass-merchant channel.”