Most important bicycle improvements of the past twenty years.
#51
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What tubeless BIKE tires were common 20 years ago?
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The tempo on this thread is about what I expected. Group think at its best.
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A bit? Your post “sunkage” was more tragic than the recent sub implosion.
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Anyway, I got those in probably 2003 or 2004, They had and OCLV sole. They were not the newest and greatest model available. I'd venture to guess that carbon soles date into the mid to late 90's somewhere (Carnac?).
It was definitely the mid 2000's when they became an everyday option though.
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Milan SL was extraordinarily innovative, allowing 30 mph on 120 watts.
Carbon fibre seat posts designed for shock absorption are innovative. Thinking of Canyon Endurace, Specialized goose neck, and also the Felt AR.
Carbon fibre seat posts designed for shock absorption are innovative. Thinking of Canyon Endurace, Specialized goose neck, and also the Felt AR.
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These are the kind of improvements I really notice on modern road bikes compared to 20 years ago. Engineered, targeted compliance taking full advantage of different carbon lay-ups. Carbon bikes from 20 years ago were a lot more basic in respect of their lay-ups. It's a largely invisible improvement, but quite significant.
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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.
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.--
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.
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.--
Some of us like low tech.
Low tech that works well in supporting the task at hand.
Tech that enables simple maintenance of the machine.
Not against high tech, but hopefully = good low tech will continue to be around....affordably.
@drlogik - New and unique technology is seldom introduced on low priced products.
I know of no other application for derailleurs - so, maybe, unique?
60 years of road bike advancement, but rides much the same.
Clear your handlebars and your mind may follow.
Last edited by Wildwood; 06-23-23 at 10:44 AM.
#61
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Decent pumps can now fit in a jersey pocket.
GPS head units, phones, power meters all connected.
Better helmets
Taller socks
More beets
Strava segments
Zwift races
GPS head units, phones, power meters all connected.
Better helmets
Taller socks
More beets
Strava segments
Zwift races
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Don't know about "important" and "improvements," but the biggest change for me would be the influx of computer-based engineering gradually replacing glorified guesswork.
The concurrently running "Death Parts" thread comes to mind: Cinelli M-71 pedals, the Lambert/Viscount "death fork," beautifully machined Campagnolo cranks that showed a tendency to crack, etc.
The late Jobst Brandt took a dim view of the primitive engineering behind many of the bike market innovations that were hastily released back in the day, such as would hit the stores and stay in production unchanged until, as he put it, "the death toll became prohibitive."
The concurrently running "Death Parts" thread comes to mind: Cinelli M-71 pedals, the Lambert/Viscount "death fork," beautifully machined Campagnolo cranks that showed a tendency to crack, etc.
The late Jobst Brandt took a dim view of the primitive engineering behind many of the bike market innovations that were hastily released back in the day, such as would hit the stores and stay in production unchanged until, as he put it, "the death toll became prohibitive."
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Don't know about "important" and "improvements," but the biggest change for me would be the influx of computer-based engineering gradually replacing glorified guesswork.
The concurrently running "Death Parts" thread comes to mind: Cinelli M-71 pedals, the Lambert/Viscount "death fork," beautifully machined Campagnolo cranks that showed a tendency to crack, etc.
The late Jobst Brandt took a dim view of the primitive engineering behind many of the bike market innovations that were hastily released back in the day, such as would hit the stores and stay in production unchanged until, as he put it, "the death toll became prohibitive."
The concurrently running "Death Parts" thread comes to mind: Cinelli M-71 pedals, the Lambert/Viscount "death fork," beautifully machined Campagnolo cranks that showed a tendency to crack, etc.
The late Jobst Brandt took a dim view of the primitive engineering behind many of the bike market innovations that were hastily released back in the day, such as would hit the stores and stay in production unchanged until, as he put it, "the death toll became prohibitive."
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Also the influx of engineers with actual engineering qualifications! I witnessed a similar transformation in the British motorsport industry during the 1990s. There was some seriously dubious engineering back in the 70s and 80s in “cottage industries” like these. It wasn’t like NASA!
I looked up "bad crank designs." There are plenty of those at the link above. It's probably worth exploring the other pages at that site, too.
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The Endurace split carbon seatpost is a really nice piece of engineering and very effective. It beats the carbon D-Fuse post on my Giant Defy. When the Canyon post deflects the saddle stays level instead of tilting back. Subtle difference, but noticeable. It makes it feel less obvious that the post is deflecting at all, but you still get the comfort. The controlled compliance on the Endurace integrated carbon bars is really nice too.
These are the kind of improvements I really notice on modern road bikes compared to 20 years ago. Engineered, targeted compliance taking full advantage of different carbon lay-ups. Carbon bikes from 20 years ago were a lot more basic in respect of their lay-ups. It's a largely invisible improvement, but quite significant.
These are the kind of improvements I really notice on modern road bikes compared to 20 years ago. Engineered, targeted compliance taking full advantage of different carbon lay-ups. Carbon bikes from 20 years ago were a lot more basic in respect of their lay-ups. It's a largely invisible improvement, but quite significant.
I take out one of my old bikes once in a while and the improvements are very noticeable. Some endurance oriented setups are so vastly more comfortable than older rigs that it isn't funny.
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I can't say there have been any improvements. Lateral moves, downgrades, sure. Improvements, no. Cycling is hot mess of too many chefs in the kitchen making food that sucks and presenting it as "gourmet" !
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The only changes made to bicycles since the 1990s has been for the sake of something to market to consumers. There is a finite number of elements the planet is made of, and the best ones for bicycle manufacturing, iron and aluminum, were found a hundred years ago.
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Graphene in tires. A big step up. Tire designers still have to juggle the six-pointed star of rolling resistance, grip, puncture resistance, weight, mileage and I am forgetting the last - but - the sum total of the length of those points is bigger. You can keep the low rolling resistance and better the cornering grip. More mileage. Fewer flats. Life on the bike is better. All my road tires are graphene now except the Vittoria Opens that refuse to die or flat now that they know they are being replaced.
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Yawn. You need some new material for your act.