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From: Zen Cycle <funkmaster@hotmail.com>
Newsgroups: rec.bicycles.tech
Subject: Re: Most significant advance in bike technology for speed?
Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2025 17:10:27 -0500
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On 1/24/2025 2:33 PM, Frank Krygowski wrote:
> In another forum, someone postulated that integrated brake & shift 
> levers (like STI) were the most significant bit of racing technology 
> ever designed for increasing speed. But that claim met with little 
> respect. One skeptic noted that there was no great increase in average 
> race speeds in Paris-Roubaix, Milan-San Remo, Tour of Flanders, Leige- 
> Bastogne-Leige or Giro de Lobardia since about 1960, including during 
> the era of STI adoption. By contrast, in the  years 1930 - 1960 average 
> speeds increased around 30%. (Note: That does not mean that STI is not 
> tactically beneficial. That's a separate issue.)
> 
> But if not STI, what were the most significant tech developments 
> regarding bicycle race speeds?
> 
> Here’s my list:
> 
> Pedals & cranks, as opposed to scooting a “hobby horse” via feet on the 
> ground.
> 
> Tubular metal frames and wire tension (spoke) wheels.
> 
> Large driven wheels, to give a much higher effective “gear.” (The 
> Ordinary or Penny Farthing)
> 
> The “Safety Bicycle” with a diamond frame and chain drive, getting the 
> rider down lower, to greatly reduce aero drag as well as pitchover on 
> braking.
> 
> Pneumatic tires. Hard tired “safeties” had terrible rolling resistance.
> 
> The handlebar stem, invented by the heroic Major Taylor, to allow a much 
> more aero riding position.
> 
> Rim brakes, by whatever mechanism, as opposed to spoon brakes acting on 
> a tire.
> 
> Multiple gears, by whatever mechanism.
> 
> The derailleur, making multiple gears easy to shift, customizable and 
> light weight.
> 
> Recumbent geometry in some situations. Recumbents seem to be slower 
> uphill, but tend to be faster on level or downhills
> 
> Fully enclosed streamlined aero shells tremendously increased speed, but 
> at a great reduction in versatility and practicality.
> 
> Beyond those, ISTM that most developments have been chasing ever 
> diminishing returns.
> 

I'd like to point out that integrated brake/shifter designs also 
enhanced safety, eliminating the need to move the hands from a position 
of control on the bars (Even bar-end shifters required moving your hand 
to a position with less control).

-- 
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