Ok, I'll bite. Remember, this is my opinion. I don't really see any revolutionary "break-throughs" in the last 20 years. Yes, we've seen new parts from existing technology (
e.g. tubeless tires and disc brakes), a little bit of recycling old technology (
e.g. index shifters), but mostly I see a progression of existing technology and mechanical parts.
The only really innovative thing I can remember in the past 20 years, and by "innovative" I mean something revolutionary, a game changer, not seen before, and not thought about or invented before or unique.
What is it? I can't really think of one thing, actually.
- Carbon fiber? No, it's been around for decades in other industries
- Electronic shifting? No, it's been around for decades in automobiles
- Disc brakes? No, they've been around for 50+ years in the auto industry
- Tubeless tires? No, they've been on automobiles for 50+ years
- LED lights? No, they've been around for decades
- Super steels for bike frames? No, that metallurgy (for the most part) has been around for decades in many industries
- Automated fabrication? No, it's been around for decades
- Helmet technology? No, it's been around in Moto GP for years
Anyone have a technology, part, component where it is unique to the bike industry and a new, never seen before technology? Seriously, I'd like to find a few things.
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