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Sheldon Brown: 1944-2008
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Sheldon Brown: 1944-2008
Cycling's own human encyclopedia passes away aged 63

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Gone a bit too early, IMHO.
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What a great loss to the cycling world. My sympathies to his family.
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I can’t tell you how sad the passing of Sheldon makes me. I have lost an old friend. All of us who knew or relied upon his advice have lost an unparalleled sage, and not just about all-things- bicycles but, more importantly, his mischievous take on life’s little quirks and joys.

I lived a few miles from his West Newton, Massachusetts shop for many years and always stopped in to talk to him about bike stuff, music, cameras, food, movies, books…and the list goes on ad infinitum. To say he was a genius would be an understatement. One look at his writing about bikes (or whatever the subject was) and you’ll see an unsurpassed depth of knowledge that in itself is humbling, but what elevated his stature as a teacher was his ability to distill his Library of Congress-like knowledge of the arcane and serve it up in a form digestible even for limited-capacity guys like me. He was a great educator and a really, really nice guy.

At 2007’s Interbike tradeshow I was blabbing away at the Topeak booth when I heard what sounded like an electric motor stop behind me; I was sure it was some poor wretch on a Segway trying to get a connection for his Magellan to navigate the show floor…but when I turned around expecting to see a “Chariot of My Ire”, I looked down to see the wide grin of Sheldon in his red electric scooter/chair. I exclaimed for everyone in the booth to hear, “My hero!” making him chuckle and smile even more. About thirty people turned around and gave a lovely applause reserved for those who are masters and mentors of their realm.

We talked about what he liked at the show and as usual it was the cool little tools or designs with simple solutions to simple problems. He did say, however, the highlight of the show had been his first time face-to-face meeting of our mutual hero Sky Yaeger. During her tenure at Bianchi, Sky had revived the original simplicity and clean aesthetic of bikes and Sheldon appreciated her torch-carrying for the original form. I was glad to hear they finally met. I wish I had been there. I wish he were still here.

Well my friend, please send us your new URL when you get to the top of your last hill at least to let us know what kind of bike the Big Shop Owner in the Sky rides and if it ever goes out of adjustment. I’ll miss you.

Chris Cameron
Cascade Bicycle Club
Seattle, USA

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Was only on his site the other day trying to find circumferences for various wheels and tyres - a great loss to us all.

This sundays ride is dedicated to Sheldon - RIP

Gaz

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THE guru. A few months back I emailed him with an obscure question about headsets, not really expecting a reply at all. Within 15 minutes (must have been the early hours for him in the States) I had my reply!

RIP Sheldon.

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Funny that Mark, I was about to post something similar about the time I was building my first wheel using the guidelines on his site and got stuck.  I emailed him and got a response in under an hour.  It wasn't until later that I considered the time difference!

Gentleman, genius, character and teacher.  The world just got poorer.  R.I.P.

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It is odd, I never spoke to Sheldon Brown or even emailed him but I read his website several times and have it as a bookmark as I know that I will find it useful at some point in the future but I find the fact that Sheldon isn't there to update it very sad.

All the websites I read to do with cycling use his website as a catchall or resource e.g. 'I think the width is 48mm but check on Sheldon Brown's website' or 'I don't know but I know Sheldon has the details, check his website'. 

So I find that other members here who have emailed/conversed with him, and got the answers they needed, fantastic and know that we have lost a guru.

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I am saddened to hear of the passing of this renaissance man.  Over the years, the information he has posted on the Harris Cyclery site has proved invaluable, thought provoking and amusing. His information helped me be persuaded to go fixed on the road and later offroad. I didn't really expect a reply when I thanked him but, like many others it seems, I sure enough did.

 What a don.

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From across the pond here's an Irishman in England saying goodbye to a true international superstar, without the media - Sheldon's effect on cycling and bicycles went far beyond the US and he will be sorely missed by "the heart" of cycling worldwide. An unsung hero, not on TV like a Tour winner, but affecting more cyclists daily than most.

So valuable his resource has been to us that where one might "google" an everyday question, in the bike workshop, we would "Sheldon" the question.

He led a life worthy of great celebration. 

God bless his family in their time of grief.

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"So valuable his resource has been to us that where one might "google" an everyday question, in the bike workshop, we would "Sheldon" the question."

A wonderful line and fitting eulogy.  I'm sure he would approve and if he is somewhere he can log on and read this I can see him giggling at this.

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I am sorry to hear this. His website was a goldmine for info and he kindly wrote back with an answer for me one time. A good man who made friends and helped people from all over the world.

Condolences to his family. John (London UK)

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Elsewhere I saw the suggestion he's only gone because God needed help fixing his 3-speed Sturmey Archer hub.

 Ride on, Sheldon.

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It's sad, but he's obviously had an awesome life. If I can die as happy as he was then my job here will be done Don't mourn the death, celebrate the life!
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Only used his web the other day to sort out a few issues with my ss - a great loss. Keep peddaling...............

  
 

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