rfshunt

Fred Koch was born in 1900 which means he was 17 years old when the Bolsheivik revolution happened. So no, he didn't "essentially build the Russian oil industry just to have it taken away from him by communism"

He sold technology to the Soviets and was well compensated for it. In fact, he credited that with saving his failing company.

I'm sorry that I haven't read Nickled and Dimed, although I hear it's very good.

My question is this: In general, did the people you worked with internalize the idea that if they were broke, it was entirely their fault, or did they have a sense that there is something wrong with the system?

I used to keep my bike in good repair back in the day of freewheels, 10 speeds, and non-indexing changers/derailleurs.

My question - what is the best way to learn how to maintain my new bike that has a cassette, indexing changers, etc.? Any books/videos/websites that you recommend?

Thank you, thank you!

If you don't mind one more question…I used to flip my bike over and put the seat and handle bars on the ground/floor to work on it. How important is a one of those stands when working on the bike? Am I an idiot for turning the bike upside-down to work on it?