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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS);faqs.167 R.B.C.A./The Recumbent Cyclist 17650-B6-140th Ave. SE, Suite 341 Renton, WA 98058 USA The Recumbent Bicycle Club of America 427 Amherst St Suite 305 Nashua NH 03063 USA Tandem Club of America Malcolm Boyd & Judy Allison 19 Lakeside Drive NW Medford Lakes, NJ 08550 Dues are currently $10/year Dirt Rag 5742 Third St. Verona, PA (412) 795 - 7495 FAX (412) 795 - 7439 Books ----- Bicycling Magazine's Complete Guide to Bicycle Maintenance and Repair Rodale Press ISBN 0-87857-895-1 Effective Cycling by John Forester MIT Press ISBN 0-262-56026-7 The Bicycle Wheel by Jobst Brandt Avocet ISBN 0-9607236-2-5 Bicycle Maintenance Manual by Eugene A. Sloan (a Fireside book, pub. Simon & Schuster, Inc.) ISBN 0-671-42806-3 Anybody's Bike Book by Tom Cuthbertson Bicycles and Tricycles - A Treatise on their Design. By Archibald Sharp MIT Press (reportedly written around 1899 or so, with lots of interesting information) Bicycle Road Racing by Edward Borysewicz The Woman Cycist by Elaine Mariolle Contemporary Books Touring on Two Wheels by Dennis Coello Lyons and Berrfard, New York The Bicyclist's Sourcebook by Michael Leccese and Arlene Plevin Subtitled: "The Ultimate Directory of Cycling Information" Woodbine House, Inc. $16.95 ISBN 0-933149-41-7 Colorado Cycling Guide by Jean and Hartley Alley Pruett Publishing Company Boulder, Colorado The Canadian Rockies Bicycling Guide by Gail Helgason and John Dodd Lone Pine Publishing,Edmonton, Alberta A Women's Guide to Cycling by Susan Weaver Favorite Pedal Tours of Northern California by Naomi Bloom Fine Edge Productions, Route 2, Box 303, Bishop, CA 93514 Mountain Biking Near Boston: A Guide to the Best 25 Places to Ride by Stuart A. Johnstone, Active Publications (1991), ISBN 0-9627990-4-1 Mountain Bike: a manual of beginning to advanced technique by William Nealy, Menasha Ridge Press, 1992, ISBN 0-89732-114-6 =========================================================================== Electronic Mailing lists bicycles@bbn.com A mailing list for bicycle enthusiasts. Usually low traffic. Send requests to bicycles-request@bbn.com to be added to the list. tandem@hobbes.ucsd.edu A mailing list for tandem bicycle enthusiasts. Suitable topics include questions and answers related to tandem componentry, riding technique, brands and equipment selection, prices, clubs, rides and other activities, cooperating on a section on tandems for the rec.bicycles.* FAQ, etc. =========================================================================== Mail Order Addresses Here's the addresses/phone numbers of some popular cycling mail order outfits (you can get directory assistance for 800 numbers at 1-800-555-1212 if you don't see the mail order outfit you're looking for here): Branford Bike orders: 1-800-272-6367 info: 203-488-0482 fax: 203-483-0703 Colorado Cyclist orders: 1-800-688-8600 info: 719-576-3474 fax: 719-576-3598 2455 Executive Circle Colorado Springs, CO 80906 Cyclo-Pedia (800) 678-1021 P.O. Box 884 Adrian MI 49221 Catalog $1 as of 4/91. Excel Sports International orders: 1-800-627-6664 info: 303-444-6737 fax: 303-444-7043 3275 Prairie Ave. #1 Boulder, CO 80301 Loose Screws (503) 488-4800 (503) 488-0080 FAX 12225 HWY 66 Ashland OR 97520 Nashbar orders: 1-800-627-4227 (1-800-NASHBAR) 216-782-2244 Local and APO/FPO orders info: 216-788-6464 Tech. Support fax: 800-456-1223 4111 Simon Road Youngstown, OH 44512-1343 Performance Bike Shop orders: 1-800-727-2453 (1-800-PBS-BIKE) 919-933-9113 Foreign orders info: 800-727-2433 Customer Support fax: One Performance Way P.O. Box 2741 Chapel Hill, NC 27514 Schwab Cycles orders: 1-800-343-5347 info: 303-238-0243 fax: 303-233-5273 1565 Pierce St. Lakewood, CO 80214 The Womyn's Wheel, Inc. (Specializes in clothing and equipment for women) 603-926-4939 540 Lafayette Rd. Suite 7 Hampton NH 03842 =========================================================================== Posting Guidelines The rec.bicycles subgroups are described below - please try to post your article to the appropriate group. The newsgroups were designed to minimize cross posting, so please take the time to think about the most appropriate newsgroup and post your article there. rec.bicycles.marketplace: Bicycles, components, ancillary equipment and services wanted or for sale, reviews of such things, places to buy them, and evaluations of these sources. Not for discussion of general engineering, maintenance, or repair -- see rec.bicycles.tech. rec.bicycles.tech: Techniques of engineering, construction, maintenance and repair of bicycles and ancillary equipment. Not for products or services offered or wanted -- see rec.bicycles.marketplace. rec.bicycles.rides: Discussions of tours and training or commuting routes. Not for disussion of general riding techniques -- see rec.bicycles.misc. rec.bicycles.soc: Social issues, cycling transportation advocacy, laws, conduct of riders and drivers; road hazards such as potholes, dogs, and sociopaths. rec.bicycles.racing: Race results, racing techniques, rules, and organizations. Not racing equipment -- see rec.bicycles.marketplace or rec.bicycles.tech. rec.bicycles.misc: General riding techniques, rider physiology, injuries and treatment, diets, and other cycling topics. =========================================================================== Technical Support Numbers (Joshua Putnam Joshua_Putnam@happy-man.com) [This list is now in the ftp archives as it is too long to put here] =========================================================================== General Information Road Gradient Units (Jeff Berton jeff344@voodoo.lerc.nasa.gov) The grade of an incline is its vertical rise, in feet, per every 100 horizontal feet traversed. (I say "feet" for clarity; one could use any consistent length measure.) Or, if you will accept my picture below, * d | a | o | y R Theta | *___)______________| x then Grade = y/x (Multiply by 100 to express as a percentage.) and Theta = arctan(y/x) So a grade of 100% is a 45 degree angle. A cliff has an infinite grade. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ball Bearing Grades (Bill Codding peda@simplicity.Stanford.EDU) (Harry Phinney harry@hpcvlx.cv.hp.com) Following is a description of the different grades of ball bearings. The grade specifies the sphericity of the balls in millionths of an inch. Thus, grade 25 are round to 25/10^6, while grade 1000 are good to 1/1000 (i.e. not all that round, but probably good enough for our uses). Grade 25: the highest quality normally available, aka "Campagnolo quality": hardened all the way through, best alloys, coatings, roundness, and durability. Evidently, a recent bottom-bracket overhaul article in "Bicycling Plus Mountain Bike" magazine recommended these. Campy's tech reps claim that the bearings in a set (usually in a little paper bag) are matched. One should not mix bearings from different sets. Grade 200: mid-range Grade 1000: seems to be the lowest, may only be surface hardened. Good sources for ball bearings: Your local bike shop (make sure you're getting the grade you want) Bike Parts Pacific Bike Nashbar 1-800-NASHBAR ($1-$3 per 100 Grade 25) The Third Hand 1-916-926-2600 ($4-$7 per 100 Grade 25) --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Tour de France Jerseys (Chris Murphy murphyc@bionette.CGRB.ORST.EDU) Chauner and Halstead (1990) in "The Tour de France Complete Book of Cycling" explain: YELLOW Jersey -- Overall leader, first awarded during the 1919 race (TdF started in 1903); yellow to match the paper used to print L'Auto (Automobile Cyclisme), a French newspaper about bike racing. POLKADOT Jersey (White w/red dots) -- Best climber, determined by points scored by the first 3 to 15 riders finishing selected mountain stages (number of riders awarded points varies with the difficulty of the stage). First awarded 1933. GREEN Jersey -- Points jersey, usually won by sprinter-types, with points given to the first 25 riders to finish each stage. First awarded 1953. YELLOW Hats -- First place team, determined by combined elapsed times of the the team's top 3 riders. In the event of a rider leading the race and also deserving one of the other jerseys, the race leader wears yellow, and the 2nd place in the category wears the category jersey. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Major Tour Winners 1947-1990 (Tim Smith tsmith@gryphon.CTS.COM) [Ed note: I'm hoping Tim won't be too upset if I add to the list he posted. I need some help filling in the last few years.] Winners of the Big Three National Tours -- Since 1947: Tour de France Giro d'Italia Vuelta d'Espana ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 1947 Jean Robic (F) Fausto Coppi (I) E. van Dyck (B) 1948 Gino Bartali (I) F. Magni (I) B. Ruiz (E) 1949 Fausto Coppi (I) F. Coppi (not held) 1950 Ferdi Kubler (CH) Hugo Koblet (CH) E. Rodriguez (E) 1951 Hugo Koblet (CH) F. Magni (nh) 1952 Fausto Coppi F. Coppi (nh) 1953 Louison Bobet (F) F. Coppi (nh) 1954 Louison Bobet C. Clerici (CH) (nh) 1955 Louison Bobet F. Magni J. Dotto (F) 1956 Roger Walkowiak (F) Charly Gaul (L) A. Conterno (I) 1957 Jacques Anquetil (F) Gastone Nencini (I) J. Lorono (E) 1958 Charly Gaul (L) E. Baldini (I) Jean Stablinski (F) 1959 Federico Bahamontes (E) Charly Gaul A. Suarez (E) 1960 Gastone Nencini (I) Jacques Anquetil (F) F. de Mulder (B) 1961 Jacques Anquetil A. Pambianco (I) A. Soler (E) 1962 Jacques Anquetil F. Balmamion (I) Rudy Altig (D) 1963 Jacques Anquetil F. Balmamion J. Anquetil (F) 1964 Jacques Anquetil Jacques Anquetil Raymond Poulidor (F) 1965 Felice Gimondi (I) V. Adorni (I) R. Wolfshohl (D) 1966 Lucien Aimar (F) Gianni Motta (I) F. Gabica (E) 1967 Roger Pingeon (F) Felice Gimondi (I) J. Janssen (NDL) 1968 Jan Janssen (NDL) Eddy Merckx (B) Felice Gimondi (I) 1969 Eddy Merckx (B) Felice Gimondi Roger Pingeon (F) 1970 Eddy Merckx Eddy Merckx Luis Ocana (E) 1971 Eddy Merckx Gosta Petersson (S) F. Bracke (B) 1972 Eddy Merckx Eddy Merckx J-M Fuente (E) 1973 Luis Ocana (E) Eddy Merckx Eddy Merckx (B) 1974 Eddy Merckx Eddy Merckx J-M Fuente 1975 Bernard Thevenet (F) F. Bertoglio (I) Tamames (E) 1976 Lucien van Impe (B) Felice Gimondi J. Pesarrodona (E) 1977 Bernard Thevenet Michel Pollentier (B) Freddy Maertens (B) 1978 Bernard Hinault (F) J. de Muynck (B) Bernard Hinault (F) 1979 Bernard Hinault Giuseppe Saronni (I) Joop Zoetemelk (NDL) 1980 Joop Zoetemelk (NDL) Bernard Hinault (F) F. Ruperez (E) 1981 Bernard Hinault Giovanni Battaglin (I) Giovanni Battaglin (I) 1982 Bernard Hinault Bernard Hinault Marino Lejarreta (E) 1983 Laurent Fignon (F) Giuseppe Saronni (I) Bernard Hinault (F) 1984 Laurent Fignon Francesco Moser (I) Eric Caritoux (F) 1985 Bernard Hinault Bernard Hinault Pedro Delgado (E) 1986 Greg Lemond (USA) Roberto Visentini (I) Alvaro Pino (E) 1987 Stephen Roche (EIR) Stephen Roche (EIR) Luis Herrera (Col.) 1988 Pedro Delgado (E) Andy Hampsten (USA) Sean Kelly (EIR) 1989 Greg Lemond (USA) Laurent Fignon (F) Pedro Delgado (E) 1990 Greg Lemond (USA) Guanni Bugno (I) Marco Giovanetti (I) 1991 Miguel Indurain (E) Franco Chioccioli (I) Melchior Mauri (E) The Tour started in 1903, and was not held 1915-1918 and 1940-1946. The Giro started in 1909, and was not held 1915-1918 and 1941-1945. Source: 1947-1982: "La Fabuleuse Histoire du Cyclisme" by Pierre Chany. 1982-1988: my fallible memory. Would someone complete 1983 and 1984, and correct any mistakes? Thanks. One interesting observation: almost all the winners of the Tour were big names in their time (yes, even Charly Gaul and Jean Robic.) There were no same-year winners of the Tour and the Giro before 1949. In fact, the first year a non-Italian won the Giro was 1950. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rating the Tour de France Climbs (Bruce Hildenbrand bhilden@bigriver.Eng.Sun.COM) One of the most frequently asked questions is how do the organizers determine the ratings for the climbs in the Tour de France(TIOOYK). The Tour organizers use two criteria 1) the length and steepness of the climb and 2) the position of the climb in the stage. It is important to note several things before this discussion begins. First, the organizers of the Tour have been very erratic in their classifications of climbs. The north side of the Col de la Madeleine has flip-flopped between a Category 1 to an Hors Category climb, even though it seems to be in the same position of a stage every year. Secondly, rating inflation, so rampant in other sports has raised its ugly head here. Climbs that used to be Category 2 are now Category 1, even though, like the Madeleine, they occupy the same position in a stage year after year. Let's talk about the ratings. I will give you my impressions on what I think the criteria are for rating the climbs based on having ridden over 75 of the rated climbs in the major European tours. Note that gradual climbs do not receive grades. It has been my observation that about a 4% grade is necessary for a climb to get rated. Also, a climb must gain at least 100m for it to be rated. Category 4 - the lowest category, climbs of 300-1000 feet(100-300m). Category 3 - climbs of 1000-2000 feet(300-600m). Category 2 - climbs of 2000-3500 ft.(600-1100m) Category 1 - climbs of 3500-5000ft(1100-1500m) Hors Category - the hardest, climbs of 5000ft+(1500m+) Steepness also plays a factor in the rating. Most of the big climbs in the Alps average 7-8% where the big climbs in the Pyrenees average 8-9%. Please remember that I am giving very, very rough guidelines and that there are exceptions to every rule. For example, L'Alpe D'Huez climbs 3700ft(1200m), but is an Hors Category climb. This is because it usually comes at the end of a very tough stage and the climb itself is unusually steep(~9%) by Alpine standards. More confusing is the Col de Borderes, a mere 1000ft(300m) climb outside of Arrens in the Pyrenees mountains. I have seen it rated anywhere from a Category 3 to a Category 1!!! This is most likely due again, to its placement on the stage. The Category 3 rating came when it was near the beginning of a stage where its Category 1 rating came when it was near the end. Flat or downhill sections can also affect a climb's rating. Such sections offer a rest to the weary and can reduce the difficulty of the climb considerably. This may be one of the reasons that the aforementioned Col de la Madeleine, which has a 1 mile downhill/ flat section at mid-height, flip-flops in its rating. I am often asked how climbs in the United States compare to those in Europe. Most of the US climbs are either short, but steep enough by European standards(6-8% grade) to fall into the Category 3 or possibly 2, or the climbs gain enough altitude, but are too long(they average <5%) so again they would fail to break the Category 1 barrier and end up most likely a Category 2 or 3. Fear not, there are exceptions. Most notable to Californains is the south side of Palomar Mountain which from Poma Valley climbs 4200' in 11 miles, a true category 1 ascent. A popular Northern California climb, Mount Hamilton, is similar to Palomar Mountain but, fails to be a Category 1 climb because of two offending downhill section on the ascent. For Coloradoans, you can thank the ski industry for creating long, but relatively gradual climbs that rarely exceed 5% for any substantial length(5+ miles). I never had to use anything bigger than a 42x23 on any climb in Colorado, regardless of altitude. Gear ratios of 39x24 or 26 are commonplace in the Alps and Pyrenees and give a very telling indication as to the difficulty of European climbs. One potential category 1 climb for Coloradoans may be the 4000 ft. climb in about 15 miles from Ouray to the top of Red Mountain Pass. Also, remember we are rating only paved(i.e. asphalt) roads. Dirt roads vary considerably in their layout, condition and maintenance because there really are no guidelines for their construction. This makes it difficult to compare these climbs and inappropriate to lump them with paved roads. One last note. I think it is inappropriate to compare the ascents of climbs by the European pros with the efforts of us mere mortals. I have said this time and time again and I will repeat it now. It is very, very hard for the average person to comprehend just how fast the pros climb the big passes. Pace makes all the difference. Riding a climb is very different than racing it. Bruce --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bike Trailers [Ed note: The posting I saved on bike trailers is over 145k bytes, so if you want a copy see the section on "Archives".] --------------------------------------------------------------------------- One Less Car T-Shirts (Alayne McGregor alayne@gandalf.UUCP) (Ed Ravin panix!eravin@cmcl2.nyu.edu) The T-shirts are produced by Transportation Alternatives, a New York City bicycle activist group. They're 100% cotton, have the TA logo on the front, and ONE LESS CAR on the back. Call TA for colors and sizes currently in stock. They're US$15 each. No refunds or exchanges. Allow 6 weeks for delivery. For people who have to drive but feel guilty about it, they also have "I'm Polluting the Atmosphere" bumper stickers at 3 for $5. Send orders to: Transportation Alternatives 92 Saint Marks Place New York, NY 10009 USA attn: One Less Car I happen to have one of these shirts in my closet right now. Causes lots of comments when my covivant and I ride our tandem with both us wearing our shirts. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Panniers and Racks (Sharon Pedersen pedersen@cartan.berkeley.edu) This is a condensed version of a longer article on panniers, low-rider racks, loading and generators. --Sharon pedersen@cartan.berkeley.edu --PANNIERS-- Price--cheaper may not be better, if they fall apart. Commuting to school entails stuffing sharp-cornered books into them thus making sturdiness as important here as for touring. Cut--an angled cut may make those books not fit so well. Pockets--convenient for organization, but cuts down on versatile use of space. You can use stuff sacks for organization instead of pockets. One big and one small pocket on each pannier is plenty. Fastening--lots of options: bungees and hooks, or fixed placement hooks, or straps with buckles or cams. Bungees and hooks have been just fine in my own road experience, but for off-road riding, you will want more security. However, don't get a system with so many attachments that you can't stand to take the panniers on/off. Brands--the following is a by no means exhaustive list, with telegraphic comments made in 1988. Check local stores since features may have changed since then. Eclipse--(no comment); Kirtland--tourers like them; MPacks--panniers made by an actual bike tourer, Mike Center, in Santa Rosa, CA, (707) 545-4624; Maddens--made in Boulder, "superior construction at better than average cost" yeah! (I love mine, write for more glowing testimonials); Performance--low-cost, non-spring attachment; Rhode Gear--expensive; Tailwind--aerodynamic, rigid attachment. --LOW-RIDER RACKS-- Some manufacturers: Bruce Gordon, Blackburn, Vetta, Voyager. The Bruce Gordons are more expensive (~$70 in 1988) but are designed with clearance for the quick-release skewer so you don't have to pry them apart to take the front wheel off. --REAR RACKS-- (No comment in the original article; Blackburns seem to be the standard and durable enough.) --LOADING-- Balance the load side-to-side and, if possible, fore-and-aft. Keep heavier items low and towards the bottom bracket. Rider, bike and luggage together should have 55-60% of weight on rear wheel; remainder on front. Bike with front low-riders is quite stable. --GENERATORS-- The usual location on the left seat-stay interferes with panniers. Mount the generator on the right seat-stay facing the other way, and it will work fine, despite rotating "backwards." Or go with a generator under the bottom bracket, which will have the advantage of putting the wear on the tread rather than the sidewall of the tire. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Helmets The wearing of helmets is another highly emotional issue that has been debated many times on rec.bicycles. On one side, you have the cyclists who feel that they can do without - the helmet is too hot, uncomfortable, or they feel they just don't need it. On the other side, you have the cyclists who wouldn't be caught riding without a helmet - they like their head (and brains) they way they are. Statistics show that three-fourths of the more than 1000 bicycling deaths each year are caused by head injuries. Of those killed, half are school age children. According to one study, a helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by 85%. Consumer Reports did a review of bicycle helmets in the May 1990 issue. While their report is not what one would see in a cycling magazine, it does contain some useful and valuable information. Their tests showed that no-shell helmets work just as well as hard-shell helmets, and in fact, the top 9 helmets in their ratings are no-shell models. There is some controversy about whether no-shell helmets "grab" the pavement instead of sliding on impact. If the helmet grabbed, it might lead to more serious neck or spinal injury. This topic has been hotly debated in rec.bicycles, and some studies are in progress to see if this is true. There are two standards systems for helmets - ANSI (American National Standards Institute) and Snell (the Snell Memorial Foundation). The Snell tests are more demanding than ANSI, and a Snell-certified helmet will have a green Snell sticker inside. Some helmets claim they pass Snell, but unless there's a sticker in the helmet, you can't be sure. Snell also tests samples of certified helmets to make sure they still meet the standards. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Clothing materials (Jim Carson carson@mu.rice.edu) [Ed note: From a summary Jim posted] Polarlite Fluffy, fleecy stuff also called Polarplus and Synchilla. Comfortable. Incredibly warm, especially under something that breaks the wind. Doesn't wick moisture out very well. Breathes very well. Supplex (nylon) Comfortable. It is breathable and water repellent (but NOT water proof). Seems to absorb a small amount of water if it is really getting drenched Merino (wool) From a "breed of fine-wooled white sheep originating in Spain and producing a heavy fleece of exceptional quality." I guess you could treat this as normal 100% wool. Thermax An improvement on Polypro. The big advantage is heat resistance so you can put it in the dryer. Balance that against the extra cost. CoolMax This stuff seems more like a plastic bag than the revolutionary wicking material it is advertised as. Dacron Trademark name for Dupont polyester. Woven fabric made from dacron is similar to nylon ripstop or taffeta, but not as stretchy. Many of the better clothing insulations are made from dacron. They are usually refered to by more specific trademark names, like quallofil, hollofil, polarguard, and dacron-88. Lycra Used for its stretch, mostly a warm weather (>65 degrees) thing. GoreTex A teflon based membrane with microscopic holes. Gortex's claim to fame is that it will let water vapor (from perspiration) through, but not liquid water (rain). It blocks wind fairly well too. The membrane is delicate, so it always comes laminated between 2 layers of other material. It does not breathe enough. There are less expensive alternatives. Polypropylene Does not wick very well. Can be uncomfortable. Troublesome to care for (e.g. can pill badly) Will keep you fairly warm if soaked. Not very wind resistant. Melts in the dryer. Capilene Wicks moisture away. Very comfortable. Comes in different weights for more/less warmth. [lots of favorable things about it... only really unfavorable thing is the co$t] 60/40 cloth - This is a cloth with nylon threads running one direction, cotton in the other. It was the standard wind parka material before Goretex came along, and is considerably less expensive. Good wind resistance, fairly breathable. Somewhat water resistant, especially if you spray it with Scotchguard, but won't hold up to a heavy rain. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Seats Seats are a very personal thing, for obvious reasons. There are several types of seats: Leather Seats like the Brooks models. Usually used by hard-core riders. Requires breaking in before it's really comfortable. Padded The usual bike seat, sometimes refered to as "anatomic". Has padding where your "sit bones" (bottom of pelvis) supposed to rest. Gel Like the padded seats, except they have a gel (e.g. Spenco Gel) in them for additional padding. Reportedly, the gel can harden and/or shift, making the seat uncomfortable. There are several types of seat pads (gel filled, containing an air bladder, etc) that can be fitted over the seat to make it more comfortable. If you are experiencing pain in delicate areas (especially you women readers) you should make sure your seat is adjusted correctly (see the section on seat adjustment). Women may need a women's type seat, which is wider in the back (women's sit bones are farther apart than men's). Most pain can be eliminated by a correctly adjusted seat, using a women's seat, and riding so your body becomes used to it. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- SIS Cable Info (Jobst Brandt jobst_brandt%40@hp1900.desk.hp.com) After Joe Gorin described the SIS "non-compressive" cable housing to me I got myself a sample to understand what the difference is. I believe "non-compressive" is a misnomer. This cable housing is NOT non-compressive but rather a constant length housing. As far as I can determine, and from reports from bike shops, this housing should not be used for brakes because it is relatively weak in compression, the principal stress for brake housing. SIS housing is made of 18 strands of 0.5mm diameter round spring steel wire wrapped in a 100mm period helix around a 2.5mm plastic tube. The assembly is held together by a 5mm OD plastic housing to make a relatively stiff cable housing. Because the structural wires lie in a helix, the housing length remains constant when bent in a curve. Each strand of the housing lies both on the inside and outside of the curve so on the average the wire path length remains constant, as does the housing centerline where the control cable resides. Hence, no length change. A brake cable housing, in contrast, changes length with curvature because only the inside of the curve remains at constant length while the outside (and centerline) expands. Shimano recommends this cable only for shift control but makes no special effort to warn against the danger of its use for brakes. It should not be used for anything other than shift cables because SIS housing cannot safely withstand compression. Its wires stand on end and have no compressive strength without the stiff plastic housing that holds them together. They aren't even curved wires, so they splay out when the outer shield is removed. Under continuous high load of braking, the plastic outer housing can burst leaving no support. Besides, in its current design it is only half as flexible as brake cable because its outer shell is made of structurally stiff plastic unlike the brake cable housing that uses a soft vinyl coating.