Originally Posted by dalai
2. The Zipp and Softride carbon TT/tri bikes were the rage too. Where did they go?
UCI ruling banned Beam bikes - so only could still be used for triathlons. Large loss of the market, plus carbon aero frames now released offering a similar ride.
Not to be nitpicky or anything, but that's only partially true... (I ride softrides, so I know where they are banned) They are indeed banned by UCI ruling, however, the UCI only has ruling over a select few races in the US, for example Tour de Georgia, and Tour of California. For 95% (guess) of all road races in the US, a beam bike is allowed, since they are predominantly USCF run or sponsored events. And the USCF does not (or had not as of this summer) banned beam bikes. I rode my softride solo in a road race and noone had any qualms about it, other than the strange looks I got from people.