Althouse: Metaphor of the Day: Being late because you don't have brakes.

January 29, 2017

Metaphor of the Day: Being late because you don't have brakes.

From page 24 of the October 1924 issue of Boy's Life magazine.

45 comments:

rhhardin said...: In the 50s it was having the right tires so that you didn't have to swerve to avoid broken glass in the big Boy Scout bicycle parade.; 1/29/17, 8:46 AM
Guildofcannonballs said...: Tent pitched? Like, erected?

Oh I get it, she's late for her period because he couldn't put the brakes on his bi cycles.; 1/29/17, 8:49 AM
Guildofcannonballs said...: Does Jimmy hold up the party or cap it off?; 1/29/17, 8:50 AM
David said...: I always assumed that coaster brakes were invented by God at the Creation.; 1/29/17, 8:51 AM
Curious George said...: New Departure was also a bearing manufacturer.; 1/29/17, 8:58 AM
Wince said...: Funny, a couple weeks ago I rented a one-speed "beach cruiser" bike with coaster brakes.

Hadn't used coaster breaks in a long, long time.

Going down hills it was more pleasant than hand pull brakes.

I guess they don't put coaster brakes on derailleur bikes ( i.e., >3 speed internal hub) because if you drop the chain you'll have no breaks.

If that's the only reason (aside from cost) is there any reason you couldn't have both hand and coaster brakes? (I assume a front hand brake alone as a back up could throw the rider over the handle bars in the event of a rear coaster brake failure.)

Is this ad in "Boy's Life" about riding a bike with no brakes at all? Did people actually do that at one time?; 1/29/17, 9:12 AM
buwaya said...: Compare what boys amused themselves with then and now.
This explains a lot about falling educational standards.; 1/29/17, 9:13 AM
Quaestor said...: The smug scouts with their coaster brakes (when I was a lad coaster brakes were for sissies) will soon earn the ire of Ranger Bill for not having those new-fangled kick stands.

"Get your bikes off that Public Tree!" shouted Ranger Bill, who regretted leaving Ole Betsie over the mantle piece that morning.; 1/29/17, 9:13 AM
buwaya said...: You can still buy a bike without brakes.
Boy once had a "fixie".; 1/29/17, 9:18 AM
Wilbur said...: Ah, Boys Life.

Still remember PeeWee Harris.

Still remember this Boys Life joke from 50+ years ago: What's the difference between a dentist and a Yankee fan? One yanks for the roots, the other roots for the Yanks.; 1/29/17, 9:40 AM
steve uhr said...: Speaking of speed, Musk is hosting his hyper loop competition today and UW is one of the favorites.; 1/29/17, 9:44 AM
Wilbur said...: Here's a link to the November 1963 issue:
https://books.google.com/books?id=JBdMc4ZrPesC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false

Just in time for the JFK assassination.; 1/29/17, 9:52 AM
Fernandinande said...: Jimmy was burned to death when his coaster brake caught on fire.; 1/29/17, 9:56 AM
Owen said...: I don't think a coaster brake is compatible with a derailleur. Coaster brake is part of an internal hub mechanism and works by reversing the direction of the chain (pedaling backward). Derailleur requires (I think) free reverse movement of the chain. I envision massive tangle of chain in the derailleur cage or at least a lot of mechanical complexity and extra weight for very little benefit.

That said, this brings back happy memories of a first bicycle.; 1/29/17, 9:57 AM
Heartless Aztec said...: We always choose coaster brakes (and beach cruisers) when we do the 20 mile downhill Creeper Trail in Abingdon, Va. Operating hand brakes for 3-4 hours is cramping. By using coaster brakes we save our hands for important things like holding wine glasses at the one of a kind Barter Theater after an evening show.; 1/29/17, 10:00 AM
tcrosse said...: Beauregard Bugleboy in Pogo regularly read Dog's Life .; 1/29/17, 10:04 AM
Laslo Spatula said...: I always thought the 'B' in GLBT stood for bicycle.

The 'T' for tricycle', of course.

"L" for Laché.

"G" for "Granny Gear".

Because bicycle enthusiasts are a bit queer.

I am Laslo.; 1/29/17, 10:06 AM
boycat said...: This post needs a "Men in Shorts, Boy Scouts version" tag.; 1/29/17, 10:10 AM
Paco Wové said...: Donald Trump: The President Without Brakes; 1/29/17, 10:10 AM
Laslo Spatula said...: Have finally put the parking brake on film editing.

Just burned movie to Blu-Ray, will be watching it this morning as a viewer, not a worker.

If everything is good than I am set for the Seattle 2/9 premiere.

Uncle Bennie Is Coming Home From Prison Trailer One.

Could be one of the most quotable comedies ever. If you can bring yourself to say such things.

I am Laslo.; 1/29/17, 10:13 AM
madAsHell said...: My Dad didn't want me to have hand brakes. He burdened me with a 24" Schwinn Typhoon that had coaster brakes.
Everyone else had a English-racing Raleigh with hand brakes, and a Sturmey-Archer 3 speed.; 1/29/17, 10:14 AM
madAsHell said...: I have nothing but fond memories of "Boy's Life".; 1/29/17, 10:16 AM
buwaya said...: Ok, one of those fellows is Laslo.
I vote the barkeep.; 1/29/17, 10:21 AM
Laslo Spatula said...: I have to say I was disappointed.

I put an Invite on my blog for Seattle-ish people to possibly get a few remaining tickets for the Laslo Films premiere.

Not one response.

Maybe liking Laslo in public is too close to liking Trump in public: you have to be careful of who you speak such things in front of.

There could be another reason, but that is a Purple Elephant I will ignore.

I am Laslo.; 1/29/17, 10:22 AM
Laslo Spatula said...: buwaya said...
"Ok, one of those fellows is Laslo. I vote the barkeep."

I am not on screen in the movie. Fear of groupies.

Because groupies are bad.

Especially a lot of them.

Young ones.

Etc.

I am Laslo.; 1/29/17, 10:24 AM
Expat(ish) said...: @edh - you can get up to an 11 speed internal hub - Alfine by Shimano. Very trick.

@owen - you are correct on the internal derailur but it would be easy to add another clutch to the Alfine system for a coaster brake.

But it is probably easier to just have hydraulic disc brakes - almost no effort required - you can use your pinky to stop.

-XC; 1/29/17, 10:30 AM
John henry said...: Sounds like a plan to me.

Let the other guys set up the tent and do the work while I leisurely stroll down the hill.

That's a smart kid.

John Henry; 1/29/17, 10:43 AM
Owen said...: Expat(ish): hydraulic disc brakes would be sweet. The problem with rim brakes is both hand fatigue and heat buildup on the rim on a long descent. I believe that some racers have had blowouts from that? Maybe apocryphal but coming down out of the Alps at 40 mph with a rim brake would be sobering.; 1/29/17, 10:47 AM
FullMoon said...: Laslo Spatula said...

Have finally put the parking brake on film editing.

Just burned movie to Blu-Ray, will be watching it this morning as a viewer, not a worker.

If everything is good than I am set for the Seattle 2/9 premiere.

Uncle Bennie Is Coming Home From Prison Trailer One.

Could be one of the most quotable comedies ever. If you can bring yourself to say such things.

I am Laslo.

Damn. Product placement always gets to me. Wish I had never learned of it. Suppose Laslo worked an Apple computer nd a Coke/Pepsi machine into the film somehow?; 1/29/17, 10:58 AM
buwaya said...: Laslo's film gets to Sundance, it should drive more of those people out of the theater than the black guy's horror flick.
And I assume Laslo's hasn't got a drop of on screen blood in it.; 1/29/17, 11:06 AM
Zach said...: Coaster brakes are really annoying because any backwards movement on the pedals translates to braking. But it's frequently a good idea to set your feet in a 10 o'clock position when coasting or starting from a stop so as to have good leverage when you want to start pedaling. So instead of letting your feet drift into the right position, you have to start from wherever the pedals ended up.; 1/29/17, 11:06 AM
Laslo Spatula said...: ""Damn. Product placement always gets to me. Wish I had never learned of it. Suppose Laslo worked an Apple computer nd a Coke/Pepsi machine into the film somehow?"

Most of the budget went to paying the bar tabs. All beers were bought, and all beers were consumed. Low-budget beer fit the story AND the budget.

However, if Rainier or Pabst want to send a little love my way I wouldn't be offended.

As for the few 'special' props I bought: the makers sending some money would be appreciated, too.

They ARE 'special' props.

I am Laslo.; 1/29/17, 11:16 AM
madAsHell said...: Earl's on the Ave?? I never figured Laslo to be a sports bar patron.; 1/29/17, 11:24 AM
FullMoon said...: Laslo Spatula said...

""Damn. Product placement always gets to me. Wish I had never learned of it. Suppose Laslo worked an Apple computer nd a Coke/Pepsi machine into the film somehow?"

Most of the budget went to paying the bar tabs. All beers were bought, and all beers were consumed. Low-budget beer fit the story AND the budget.

However, if Rainier or Pabst want to send a little love my way I wouldn't be offended.

Hope they don't pull a Kodachrome on ya! Depends on box office, I guess.; 1/29/17, 11:26 AM
Laslo Spatula said...: madAsHell said...
"Earl's on the Ave?? I never figured Laslo to be a sports bar patron."

I like to watch the 'rock-paper-scissors' competitions.

If I recall, MadAsHell is a Seattle-ite.

MadAsHell: if you want to attend the movie on 2/9 it is playing at the Varsity, right next to Earl's.

Let me know, and I'll have a ticket you can pick up from me at the bar before the show.

I am Laslo.; 1/29/17, 11:36 AM
traditionalguy said...: I thought Meade trained Ann to always get right back on the trail bike after you fall off. Same goes for the brake failures. Never surrender, but drink brandy and smoke a cigar, and someday your bust will be in the Oval Office too..; 1/29/17, 11:45 AM
Guildofcannonballs said...: "Jimmy was burned to death when his coaster brake caught on fire."

"Top Jimmy cooks..."

V. Halen's "tribute to James Paul Koncek of the band Top Jimmy & The Rhythm Pigs." On the album...

1984.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984_(Van_Halen_album); 1/29/17, 11:57 AM
Etienne said...: Cutaway view of a coaster brake.; 1/29/17, 12:01 PM
madAsHell said...: I'm terribly conflicted.

My Mommy told me not to make friends on the internet, but I feel somewhat obliged to report, review your movie for the other Althouse-ians.

If your movie is as off-the-wall as your comments.....well, when does the curtain go up?

Leave the ticket with the bartender. I really prefer to maintain your anonymity.

I think there are other Seattle-ites here as well. I'll bet Laslo would be willing to leave more than one ticket.; 1/29/17, 12:13 PM
Bruce Hayden said...: Definitely remember Boys' Life. Part of growing up in the 1950s into the 1960s. Had coaster brakes up through my paper route bike. Then, I got a Schwin 3 speed with racing handlebars and seat. Stolen my freshman year in college. Didn't get another for better than a decade, and now have 3 - except my kids d has my cruiser in Boulder right now. All, of course with derailed sand hand brakes.; 1/29/17, 12:23 PM
Laslo Spatula said...: "If your movie is as off-the-wall as your comments.....well, when does the curtain go up?

Leave the ticket with the bartender. I really prefer to maintain your anonymity."

It is Full Laslo.

Show starts at 7:00 pm Thursday Feb 9.

Tell bartender you're picking up a Laslo ticket for MAH.

I am Laslo.; 1/29/17, 12:45 PM
exiledonmainstreet, green-eyed devil said...: "I guess they don't put coaster brakes on derailleur bikes ( i.e., >3 speed internal hub) because if you drop the chain you'll have no breaks."

I had a memorable spill on my Schwinn when I was about 10. I was flying down a steep hill and the chain dropped. In a panic, I put my feet down to stop the bike and went tail over tin cup. Ended up with a few cuts and scrapes. If I took a fall like that now, I'd be in traction.; 1/29/17, 12:53 PM
David said...: I spent time looking through the entire issue of Boy's Life. Quite amazing, a window to a lost world.; 1/29/17, 12:59 PM
David said...: Lazlo, this has been the longest damn promotional buildup I've ever seen.

Good luck with the film. We visit Seattle (relatives) twice a year and sometimes more but not on opening night.

You will have searchlights in the sky, right?; 1/29/17, 1:03 PM
Laslo Spatula said...: David said...
"Lazlo, this has been the longest damn promotional buildup I've ever seen."

Sorry.

I promise: no ads during the Super Bowl.

I am Laslo.; 1/29/17, 5:27 PM