Tribute to Sheldon Brown

Sheldon "CaptBike" Brown 1944 - 2008

Sheldon Brown - The Bike Mechanic's Mechanic - RIP

On Feb. 3rd, Sheldon "CaptBike" Brown, aka "The Bike Mechanic's Mechanic", passed away after suffering a massive heart attack. On more than one occasion Sheldon helped us with various technical challenges we've encountered here at MSU Bikes for which we've been very grateful. He was extremely generous with his knowledge of bicycle mechanics and also mixed a very clever/ creative sense of mechanical humor within his site.

Bicyclists everywhere, whether or not they work on bikes themselves, owe Sheldon a big "thanks" as his contributions have no doubt lead to more enjoyable, dependable riding bikes in one way or another over the years he was with us. Much has already been written in Sheldon's memory in papers and web sites all over the world, as he freely shared his incredible knowledge of bike mechanics via his web site. He worked as a mechanic in Boston's Harris Cyclery, which has official info. about his passing & a memorial service on Mar. 2nd. Here's a couple articles from some major publications about Sheldon for further reading.

• Homespun wisdom: (Boston Globe, 2/8/08)
"Beloved Newton bike-shop mechanic, cyber-sage Sheldon Brown will be missed"

• Two Wheels Series: (The Guardian (UK), 2/7/08)
"Not many bicycle mechanics have earned their own Wikipedia entry...." full article

• Some YouTube videos related to or by Sheldon Brown:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ea1GC81yLF4
http://youtube.com/watch?v=4fgPL-w8ny0
And for those who wish to hear the man himself speak one last time -"Sheldon Brown Tire Folding": http://youtube.com/watch?v=dsVrCAJMr_Y
Finally, if you wanted a further indication of his many interests, he had his own Youtube site, http://youtube.com/user/SheldonBrown