Drop handlebars: Let's replace controls that do one thing well with integrated units with all the serviceability of a Swiss watch, and that require the hands of a gorilla to apply the brakes properly from the normal riding position. And then, because they're too awkward to fit proper moulded grips to, bodge it up with grubby-after-5-minutes tape like they're some sort of tennis bat. Ostensibly for a meagre gain in aerodynamics and even less in comfort, but more likely because it means your bike can look a bit like those of your mid-20th-century sportsing heroes if you don't look at it too carefully.
Saddles
Saddles
I'd like to say that, but that would rule out mountain bicycles (which are great fun if you're at least 20 years younger and have any triceps worth speaking of) and a lot of pragmatic choices that make cycling a practical form of transport.
Saddles are fine on appropriate bikes.
And not aero, but let's include sloping crossbars that make the frame too tight to take 2 x 1-litre bottles. Call it stiffer if you like but the change was really made so that manufacturers could save money by making bikes in 4 or 5 sizes labelled S, M,L, XL etc rather than to real measurements with 1-cm increments between sizes. And with that that great long seatpost, is the setup really any stiffer?
And not aero, but let's include sloping crossbars that make the frame too tight to take 2 x 1-litre bottles. Call it stiffer if you like but the change was really made so that manufacturers could save money by making bikes in 4 or 5 sizes labelled S, M,L, XL etc rather than to real measurements with 1-cm increments between sizes. And with that that great long seatpost, is the setup really any stiffer?
I'm too young to remember bicycles that fit properly, but assuming that there's stand-over height for a normal-sized person, is it actually possible to have a level top tube and a decent amount of space inside the triangle?
All bottom bracket standards after square taper.
Gel saddle covers.
Does cycling cupboards with hooks on trains count? They should not only be moved into room 101, but should be buried with instructions not to excavate for 1,000,000 years.
single pivot calliper brakes.The Shimano ones with a ball race, like the 6400 ones, are about the best racing brakes ever made. The centreing problem goes away, they track rim wobbles, and they're light.
(https://www.thebikestoragecompany.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Floor-Mounted-Cycle-Rack-o6stmakacbefzqiouth7d89a37v9qxipadyh1meq6s.png)
Bike stands like this.
What cycling technology causes more problems than it solves? What is all hype and no substance?Anything after the penny-farthing.
What would you nominate?
I've kept an old pair of 105 brakes like this because theyre so nice. I dont use them, but they're nice to come across when delving in the spares box.single pivot calliper brakes.The Shimano ones with a ball race, like the 6400 ones, are about the best racing brakes ever made. The centreing problem goes away, they track rim wobbles, and they're light.
Indicator lights for cyclists.
Indicator lights for cyclists.
Indicator lights for cyclists.
Indicator lights for cyclists.
Indicator lights for cyclists.
Indicator lights for cyclists.
Indicator lights for cyclists.
...
they've been reinvented quite a few times...
J
What cycling technology causes more problems than it solves? What is all hype and no substance?Anything after the penny-farthing.
What would you nominate?
Ah, that's better.Those barrier gates onSustrans routes.Steps on Sustrans routes as well.
The useless workshy twat who forgot to specify a dropped kerb here… (https://maps.app.goo.gl/VQZmR3gnnKEd3NcLA)It's so you can show off your mad skillz.
single pivot calliper[brakes.
The useless workshy twat who forgot to specify a dropped kerb here… (https://maps.app.goo.gl/VQZmR3gnnKEd3NcLA)
The current issue of Cycling UK's cycle magazine carries an ad for this:
https://www.saddlespur.com
In spite of the claims of supportive research, I don't think I'll be buying one.
The current issue of Cycling UK's cycle magazine carries an ad for this:
https://www.saddlespur.com
In spite of the claims of supportive research, I don't think I'll be buying one.
Well, I did wonder about how one got one's leg over when mounting.The current issue of Cycling UK's cycle magazine carries an ad for this:
https://www.saddlespur.com
In spite of the claims of supportive research, I don't think I'll be buying one.
That looks like something you'd buy from a 'special interest' website.
Carbon fibre can be recycled by pyrolysis. Whether it is, in the case of bike frames, is another matter; but I doubt if most metal bike frames are actually recycled either.
Integrated one-piece handlebars and stem on shop brought bicycles, especially on hybrids.When I was a teenager, an elderly neighbour gave me his old Philips roadster. I think it was from the 1950s. Sit up and beg, integral steel mudguards with carriage lining and a white patch on the rear, etc. That had a one-piece handlebars and quill stem.
Yeah I was going to say indexed derailleur gears.
Large parts of London's cycling infrastructure and LTN 1/ 20.
If you need a so-called “safety bicycle” to feel safe you shouldn’t be on the road.
Yeah
https://twitter.com/sticky_bottle/status/676915464208048130
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wqrg_QhW_ac
How do you propose it should be recycled?Yeah
https://twitter.com/sticky_bottle/status/676915464208048130
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wqrg_QhW_ac
You really need to define an acceptable level of resource usage which you won't complain about, before posting those sorts of pictures.
"I won't buy a CF bike frame (that could carry me thousands of miles over many years for 2kg of material)" is getting worryingly close to the "I need to kill myself right now" level of puritanism.
Currently, carbon fibre waste or other fibre composites can be recycled using four types of technologies. There are two main types of carbon fibre waste. The first type of waste is virgin carbon fibre offcuts of the product generated from dry fibre and the non-used expired material, which are also called scrap. The second type of waste is the reclamation of fibres from carbon fibre-reinforced composites (CFRC). Figure 2 shows all types of recycling processes for both scrap and the composite type of carbon fibre waste.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9324376/
The useless workshy twat who forgot to specify a dropped kerb here… (https://maps.app.goo.gl/VQZmR3gnnKEd3NcLA)If you're local to it, could you report it to the council/highways department to sort it out?
There is no argument that carbon fibre is environmentally friendly and exhibits a longer life cycle. However, carbon fibre consumes almost 14 times more energy in its creation compared with steel. This significant energy-intensiveness has led to huge emissions of greenhouse gases. Therefore, the recycling process could be one of the best ways to reduce this environmental impact while meeting global demand for this material in industrial applications.From the same source I quoted earlier (same paragraph even).
* Press fit bottom brackets (a convenience for the manufacturer, not the end-user)