The Case of the Missing Magnets

[Veronica]

I needed to change my tires after our ride up Diablo on Saturday. Examining the tire, it looks like there was a manufacturing defect in the tread. I decided to put Speedblends back on both wheels, since I am getting a new set of wheels tomorrow. I'm glad it was on the rear, as I was flying down Diablo on Saturday. That could have been ugly.

I change the rear and move to the front and notice that I have lost another one of the rare earth magnets that I use to augment my speedometer pick up. For some reason these magnets come off my bike only on the drive home. The first time I lost one, I found it attached to my fork. I was on my way to work and put it in my Bento Box. It landed with a loud clunk and was firmly attached to my bike. I pried it loose when I got to work and put it back on the speedometer pick up where it belonged.

I lost it again on the drive home after our ride up Diablo on May 13 - Friday Evil Pork Day. It wasn't anywhere on my bike, so I stole one from my classroom. I bought them, so it's not really stealing. But they are so little and will hold up a lot on the white board. I even looked on the top of the car to see if it was there. No joy.

So since it seemed I had lost another one on Saturday, today I asked Thom to attach a new one permanantly to the pick up. He epoxied it to his finger and now I have his finger and the magnet on my wheel.

I took Fluffy out of the work stand and put him back into the floor rack and quess what I saw attached to the floor rack.....


Not one, but two rare earth magnets. Now I don't need to worry about the door on the frig falling off.


V.

[CorsairMac]

yes - but will it work to get Thoms finger back where it belongs???

[Bike Goddess]

Is this a set up for a media event?

[SadieKate]

As long as they don't find his finger at Wendy's.

Men, glue and fingers . . . when will they learn?

[DeniseGoldberg]

...notice that I have lost another one of the rare earth magnets that I use to augment my speedometer pick up.

V -
OK, everyone else is joking about Thom, but I have an actual question since I have one bike computer that doesn't always behave. And I hope this isn't a really stupid question, but I'm going to ask anyway. Where are you placing the extra magnets? Are you using them instead of the bike computer magnet, or in addition to it? Thanks!

--- Denise

[singletrackmind]

Put the extras on the wheel too so your computer says you're going superman fast!

[Veronica]

Where are you placing the extra magnets? Are you using them instead of the bike computer magnet, or in addition to it? Thanks!

I'm using wireless computers. I put the extra magnet on top of the bike computer magnet. I'm not sure exactly how or why it works, but the stronger magnet seems to get the message to the pickup, which then gets it up to the computer on my handlebar.

Since I use both a Polar and a computer on my road bike, I had to mount the computer further down the fork. I have a similar problem with my mountain bike, caused I think by the suspension. But the extra magnet fixed that too.

V.

PS Thom actually had no problem with the expoxy. He's really good at that stuff. I often get him to help me with finishing my cross stitch projects.

[DeniseGoldberg]

Thanks!

I use wireless computers on all of my bikes, and I only have a problem with one of them. I think it may be related to where I had to mount the sensor - sounds like I should try your rare earth magnet trick.

--- Denise