GhostRider62

My recent addition of an aero, flat top carbon bar was mostly for comfort. I underestimated how much more comfortable it is. The way the levers mesh with the bars and the flat area gives much better distribution of forces off the ulnar nerve and the bar is more flexible (sprinters need not apply). I doubt I will ever have an aluminum bar again.

PeteHski

I also underestimated how much more comfortable carbon aero bars can be. Many of our local roads create that irritating road "buzz" and carbon bars damp it out pretty effectively. Especially if specifically designed as endurance bars with a little more compliance than the race version. The split carbon seatpost on my Endurace is a stand-out feature too. Along with wider tyres and more compliant (vertically) wheels, these modern road bikes provide a pretty sublime ride.

smd4

Back in the mid-1980s, good-quality bike-shop bikes surpassed everything we had known before that in terms of quality and functionality. I don't think anyone was lamenting the switch from coaster brakes to hand brakes, or bemoaning going from three speeds to 12 speeds, or angry that indexed shifting soon supplanted friction shifting.

I don't mind that things are progressing. However, I have no interest--personally--in the newer offerings and the newer technology. I'm perfectly content with my Cinelli. I enjoy the craftsmanship of a handmade steel bicycle. I like that I know the name of the Italian gentleman who built it. I enjoy the history. These are qualities the newer bikes simply don't have--traded instead for speed, convenience and comfort. I also like that I can experience what an actual top-of-the-line race bike felt like back then--an experience of today that I simply will never be able to afford. Back then, top of the line race equipment--while expensive--was still affordable--even for me, a college kid back then. Top-end racing bikes weren't priced the same as automobiles.

So...I enjoy my bike for what it is. If others find enjoyment in carbon fiber bikes with hydraulic disc brakes, that's fine. I wonder what else the future will bring?

prj71

On a level playing field where the bikes are all within a few years old of each other it's definitely the rider. Put two equally fit guys on the MTB trail one with a 1980s vintage mountain bike and the other with a mountain bike made in the last 5 years or so...Guarantee the guy on the newer bike will have the advantage.

ofajen

What did you get? I’ve been thinking about different, more modern bars, too. I ride mostly on crushed stone so there is a lot of vibration through the bars.

Otto

genejockey 

Well, like I said, 4 minutes over 25 miles is 10 seconds/mile. 10 seconds per mile is OTB, shelled, whatever you want to call it.

GhostRider62

i got two. one was called a prime primivera from chainreaction in england, about $200 shipped DHL express. i cannot recall the other.

BlazingPedals

I'd say this is likely the OP's issue. In my world, everyone is looking for speed, just to "keep up with the Joneses" on club rides. But for a 10 mph MUP rider, it doesn't matter.

Everyone's responses seem to relate the performance aspect of modern bikes. How about a big one in my book - sealed bearings? It's a huge improvement that I no longer have to service wheels, headsets, etc every off-season.

smd4

I prefer my cup-and-cone bearing for the very reason you dismiss them--I can service them!

rosefarts

There are a few things that make me a retro grouch.

Carbon fiber wheels being ubiquitous. When I was racing, everyone had two (or more) sets of wheels. Something stiff and easy to repair for cheap. Mine were Mavic Helium’s, that Open Pro they used could be replaced in half an hour for $40. These were crit wheels.

My glue up American Classics would never get raced in a crit. Nowadays, looking at a Cat 4 crit, nearly every rider has carbon rims. In watching these events, they don’t seem to wreck less than I did, it just costs more. I really like a lot of the new wheels, I just can’t believe that people with regular jobs are racing them in crits.

Of course only businessmen and drug dealers had cell phones then too.


The other one that grinds my gears is suspension setup. Dude’s, I’m not that smart!

There were different weights of elastomers or different air pressures. That’s it. The Manitou FS (Palmer) shook things up with its damper, but in reality it just leaked out and the titanium spring did it’s thing.

My current fork is a space shuttle compared to that stuff. Sag? Low Speed? High Speed? Rebound? Negative pressure? Variable travel spacers? Uhh, I just wanna go ride bikes. Of course it works better in the hands of a moron than my old stuff would have with a genius. I can’t say I’m unsatisfied.

I grew up with 50mm of travel, I think we were up to 60 for XC and 80 for DH when the siren song of the road bike pulled me away. My current 160, even if I’m not using it all, is still huge.

tomato coupe

It's funny how often you can predict someone's age, based on the year they think bike design peaked.

WhyFi

Just like music.

genejockey 

We'll never know if it has peaked, because we don't know what next year will bring.

How old does that make me?

genejockey 

There hasn't been a listenable piano concerto written since Gershwin's Concerto in F.

tomato coupe

Clearly, you haven't been born yet ... or you're about 63-64 years old.

genejockey 

That seems awfully specific.

tomato coupe

If I knew your preferred tire width and tire pressure, I could probably narrow it down to a 4-5 month window.

Fredo76

Many posters have inadvertently been helping to make the OP's point. Posts referencing "keeping up" violate the "for anyone not pushing a competitive racing edge" clause in the OP's post. They are actually arguing about a point that the OP specifically did not make. Rather than arguments saying the new bikes do or don't make one faster, we should be arguing about other aspects of new vs. old. Like durability, part standardization, aesthetics, road feel, etc., but not about speed. That is, if we give a **** about the OP's point, which we don't, I guess.

My sealed bearing Phil Wood bottom bracket is 46 years old. It feels like new, and is ready for another 46 years. Without creaking!

PeteHski

It's a good point and I thought it might pop up again even though the conversation has moved on over 17 pages.

But you don't have to be racing competitively to benefit from a faster bike. If you are riding in a group then you might not appreciate being handicapped with an old bike. When riding solo speed obviously doesn't really matter.
Personally I just like new bikes whether I'm riding solo or in a fast group ride. I just find them more refined with better handling, brakes, gears etc. Similar reasons why I prefer modern cars.
While I can appreciate the nostalgia of a vintage race bike from the 70s, I don't particularly want to be riding one anymore. I'd rather sample new bikes every 5 or so years as time passes. For me that's the kind of timescale where you can generally notice some incremental improvement - especially with mountain bikes.

Fredo76

I sure don't begrudge anyone over whatever bike they like to ride. When I visited Tucson and actually was around other riders, admiring glances were mutual. Sure, I'd like to try an ultra-light bike. I'd be considerably more likely to do so if some were offered with step-through frames. With us baby-boomer/bike-boomer cyclists aging along, I think it's an under-served market. But maybe we're just too hard to please!

mschwett 

this is kind of what i was getting at….. people tout the ability to service something as a benefit, when it’s the very design that requires servicing. what’s better: a sealed bearing that you can’t service but doesn’t require servicing regularly…. or a bearing that you can service, and requires you to do so every year or two?

smd4

You have to ask?? Obviously the latter.

mschwett 

that certainly wouldn’t be my choice lol.

tomato coupe

Yep. I remember the good ol' days when I repacked bottom bracket and hub bearings at least once a year. It was easy to do, and I never complained about it. But, I've never had to service or replace any of my sealed bottom bracket or hub bearings. I prefer the latter.

Jtravels

You can always smell someone pimping products. That guy is 100% correct.

So much of this new garbage is this that... garbage. And very poorly made