[CR] Lucas Cyclometer: is it safe?

(Example: Framebuilders:Brian Baylis)

From: "Bob Hanson" <theonetrueBob@webtv.net>
Date: Fri, 4 Aug 2006 05:19:57 -0600
To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
Subject: [CR] Lucas Cyclometer: is it safe?


I'd like to mount a Lucas "King of the road" Cyclometer on one of my bikes. This is a small metal housed odometer which clamps onto your front hub and displayes cumulative mileage on an analog counter. They are waterproof, dustproof, need no lubrication, and this one is brand new and still in it's original box, so I'm sure it is in flawless working condition.

However, reading the instruction papers, I noticed the warning "This cyclometer must not be driven at speeds in excess of 18-19 m.p.h. (230 rev / min)". The last time I had used one of these low-tech marvels they were probably still considered high-tech. That was on my Raleigh Sports, over 40 years ago and my speed was not likely ever an issue. But, I'm a bit concerned about the warning now, since with it mounted on a road bike and especially during steep descents, I will have the potential of actually doubling the recommended maximum speed.

I believe that some form of the original company [Joseph Lucas Electrical, LTD, Birmingham, England] is still around today, but I doubt that anyone currently with the company would be at all familiar with this instrument. Their warning was posted long before US attorneys made product liability litigation a popular American sport, so I'm really quite concerned about their caution.

My mainly concerned is that perhaps the warning was not simply to protect the device from internal malfunction, but rather that at higher speeds it could somehow jam in the spokes - obviously with catastrophic results.

So, could someone please advise me:

Should I heed their warning and simply not use the device?

Has anyone ever surpassed the limit on these gadgets with unfortunate outcome?

Do you think the current corporation will still honor my product warranty? ~ [I must admit it would certainly be fun to call and ask about it.]

Thanks!
Bob Hanson,
Albuquerque, NM, USA