Last years of frame pump in big races?
 

We are all told that in the old times riders had to be more self sufficient, having the bike equipped with a frame pump and carry at least one spare tire. When did all this end? 50s or mid 60s?

Changed rules? If not it would probably have been a slow fade.
Does anyone have the details about this?

This thread could also be called, when pampering started in cycling. :rolleyes:

Looking at old pics, I would guess 1957. Cool question, I'm sure someone here knows.

Many gradual changes, but 1923 was key:
"In 1923 the rules were changed to allow riders to swap parts instead of repairing them. This is a monumental change in the character of the Tour de France. Before, bad luck reigned as the supreme arbiter of the race. Now, perhaps the race might be more of a test of the athletic prowess of the riders."
http://www.bikeraceinfo.com/tdf/tdfhistory.html

@thinktubes, not a bad guess
@jeirvine thanks for more info

I've just watched a documentary about Coppi and Bartali. In some races they carry everything and in others just a water bottle. So the decline seems to be nonlinear (rules changed at different times in different races?). But at the end of their carriers it looks like they just carried water bottles. But I can be wrong on this, need more material.

There is usually a focus on the winners and the famous top riders. But when was the transition complete? When didn't even the last rider carry a frame pump?

I think you also have to consider the existence and utility of following cars. That has changed over time and venue. No quick support will push one to self sufficiency. In races like the Paris Roubaix, the roads are so narrow that the wait for a wheel or bike could be quite long.
One also has to look at if the race was a point to point or circuit race.

Way back the riders in The Tour had to be self sufficient, and were limited in the number of waterbottles they could consume! Cannot figure that one out. A racer could stop at the town fountain and tank up there though... Brings a whole different take on tactics.

Your talking Pro Racers right? When I tried to race in the '80s almost everyone at the USCF starting line had a pump or CO2.

Not all the tanking was at the fountain! Some was in the wine shop.

Unfortunately it seems now we are into how can they can cheat with Performance Enhancing Drugs and not get caught

Of course

Breaking Away, 1979.

I think I get it :roflmao: :thumb: