February 5/08 4:54 am - Sheldon Brown Passes Away

Posted by Editor on 02/5/08
 

Sheldon Brown Passes Away

We are sad to report that Sheldon Brown died on Sunday after suffering a heart attack. Recent members of the cycling community may not know this name, but for anyone who had been involved for more than 15 years (and definitely over 20), Sheldon Brown's name will be well known as a technical authority.

Like most technical items these days, bicycle components are 'plug and play', however, it was not always like that, when there was a myriad of sizes, threadings and tapers to bicycle products, and a tech wizard was important to keep track of what would and wouldn't work together (or how they could be modified to work).

Sheldon Brown was one of the foremost North American tech wizards, who wrote on technical matters for many of the major cycling publications of the 70's and 80's. His glossary of bicycle terms is still one of the most useful on the web - sheldonbrown.com/glossary.html - and his exhaustive discussion on Wheelbuilding is authoritative ( www.sheldonbrown.com/wheelbuild.html ). I did not know Sheldon personally very well - we had exchanged a few e-mails and met once - but I use his website regularly as a resource.

Brown was diagnosed with primary progressive multiple sclerosis in August of last year, but continued to ride regularly on his recumbent. He will be missed.