Sheldon Brown R.I.P.

Sheldon Brown, the internet's single most vital source of bicycle knowledge, died on Feb. 3.

Since 1997, Brown maintained a massive and famously accessible website which was a virtual compendium of bicycle knowledge and opinion. The hundreds of explanations and articles on the site ranged from the basic (how do brake cables work?) to the arcane (what is the ideal Pivot-Cable distance for cantilever brakes?), and covered such matters of opinion as the joy of fixed gear bikes and the utility of biopace chainrings. The articles were always written with a sense of humor and appreciation for the D.I.Y. bike mechanic. With very few exceptions, Brown encouraged the use of vintage and second-hand bike parts over newly bought pieces, and advocated for all bike riders to learn the rudiments of their machines and how to maintain them.

In addition to maintaining the website, Brown was the Parts Manager, Webmaster and general Tech Guru of Harris Cyclery, in West Newton, Massachusetts.

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

Much more complete remembrances of Brown here and here.