For several years Alan “Uncle Al” Ardizone educated and entertained RBR newsletter subscribers by answering their technical questions with his combination of expert knowledge and off-the-wall humor.
Here’s your index to more than 180 of his rants, plus valuable reader feedback.
For 20 years, Al and his wife Leslie owned and operated the award-winning Cascade Bicycles in Montrose, Colorado.
Rolf vs. Campy Wheels DEAR UNCLE AL: I have a set of Rolf Vector Comp wheels and am thinking of upgrading to Campy Proton. Comparing the two wheelsets, is there is a great amount of difference? I’m looking for light weight, stiff and reliable — and within my budget. — Brandon A. UNCLE AL FIRES…
Tires Won’t Seat DEAR UNCLE AL: My Giant TCR2 came with Mavic rims and pretty decent wheels. I can’t seem to get tires to seat well. They are well sealed aroundthe edges of the rim and there is no fear of one unseating. But if I spin the wheel and look from the side, the…
Musings Over Michelins DEAR UNCLE AL: In a past newsletter, you said, “The Michelin Axial Pro is still being made. But now it’s called Pro Race. Outside of color changes, this is the same great tire. They just renamed it to throw off the competition.” This is not correct according to Michelin sales people. The…
Mavic Ksyrium Wheels In a past newsletter, Uncle Al waxed eloquent about the riskiness of heavier riders (170+ pounds) using lightweight equipment. This was in reply to a 215-pound guy who thought his Mavic Ksyrium wheels (18 spokes front, 20 rear) might have simply collapsed during a fast descent. This brought out ksome kserious Ksyrium…
HEY UNC: I have 1998 Shimano Ultegra STI brake/shift levers. They work fine, but the incessant rattling of the plastic caps drives me crazy. Is there anything I can do to end this madness? — Carl J. UNCLE AL FIRES BACK: Annoying, isn’t it? First, you need to be sure you haven’t lost the tiny…
